Support better food in schools

There's a lost generation of people who cannot cook, don't know where their food comes from or how to eat a balanced meal. We need to get back to basics. We need a Food Revolution. Schools provide a key place to develop healthy eating habits, teach about food and nutrition and provide wholesome nutritious meals to help kids grow and learn. Providing better food in schools will also help teach kids lifelong lessons to allow them to look after themselves and their families. For 180 days a year many children are eating food that comes out of pre-packaged boxes and doesn't resemble the whole foods that will keep them healthy. Over a third of American children are overweight or obese and since this generation will be the first ever expected to live shorter lives than their parents, we need to take a stand. For the first time in a long time, updated nutrition standards for school meals in the U.S. will start this fall. These improved standards will go a long way to remedy nutritional shortfalls and will address some key concerns about the childhood obesity epidemic. However, we still have a long way to go and everyone can play a role in helping schools to meet these new standards. We've got a great opportunity to change the school food system as we know it! Take the pledge today to help support these changes to improve school food. Every school in America is different. Public schools will need to work through their school district. Charter schools may have more flexibility, and private schools can work independently. Some states have added standards (on top of the USDA standards) to regulate the junk food, snacks and soda, products high in salt, fat and sugar sold outside of the cafeteria meal. Find out what the food served at your school is like, what changes are going to be made this year and how you can help: 1) What are your kids eating at school every day? Visit your school to find out, you have a right to know. 2) Who makes the key decisions about food in your school? Talk to them about their wellness policy. 3) What changes can and need to be made at your school? Every school should meet or exceed the new nutritional standards. Look out for future updates to inspire and empower you to start a Food Revolution at your child's school!