Getting more fresh fruits and vegetables into school lunchrooms across America has many potential benefits. It would help grow healthier children and contribute to a healthier bottom line for Salinas Valley growers and shippers.
That’s why Central Coast Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) invited USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon to tour our area last month. Concannon is in charge of buying food for the country’s massive school lunch program and is working to implement the government’s new nutrition guidelines, which are slated to take effect this school year.
“There are 32 million kids who eat school lunches under our program and we’re on a mission to make those foods healthier, with more fruits and vegetables, less fat and less sodium,” said Mr. Concannon.
The USDA’s top nutrition official toured the lettuce fields of Taylor Farms in Salinas and saw how fresh produce can be packaged in lunchbox-sized portions at Mann Packing. Afterwards he was welcomed at Sherwood Elementary School, where he ate lunch from a colorful, well-stocked salad bar.
“We are the first responders to the health care needs of America, because it all starts with good nutrition,” said Congressman Farr, urging schools and the ag sector to “get political” and take advantage of this golden opportunity to pull together for the health of our children.
The Monterey Bay area leads the way in a transformation taking place in school cafeterias. Salad bars are the norm here and a back-to-basics approach to cooking healthy meals from scratch is taking hold. –Deborah Luhrman
For more on local efforts to reform school food pick up the latest issue of Edible Monterey Bay magazine. Available now from dozens of locations, including those listed under the “Find Us” tab on this website. Or, click on the digital or web editions on the left side of our home page.
Kevin Concannon
About the author
At Edible Monterey Bay, our mission is to celebrate the local food culture of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, season by season. We believe in sustainability, and we believe everyone has a right to healthful, clean and affordable food. We think knowing where our food comes from is powerful, and we hope our magazine, website and newsletters inspire readers to get to know and support our local growers, fishers, chefs, vintners and food artisans.
