We all know the old adage – breakfast is the most important meal of the day. There are many benefits of eating a balanced meal in the morning, chief among them being increased brain activity and therefore enhanced concentration. With that said, I believe we must look at the current food choices our children have in our schools.
“Our food choices are disgusting.” That is what I’m hearing from teachers and students. On paper, the district is adhering to the prescribed guidelines of food offerings, but whether or not it is truly healthy is another matter. As I understand it, the district has recently renewed the current vendor contract for food items. Moving forward, we must take a closer look at the vendors and their food choices. If I, as an adult, have the opportunity to choose healthier options, so should our kids.
Within our district, there are children who depend on the food services we offer in order to have their daily meals. If we aren’t giving them the fuel they need, how can we possibly hold them accountable for in-class performance and behavior. As a board, it is imperative to realize the role it plays in a student’s success as well as their health. A study from a few years ago found Students who ate school breakfast attended an average of 1.5 more days of school than their meal-skipping peers, and their math scores averaged 17.5% higher. We know the challenges we face with standardized testing. In this district. Why complicate it more by not providing healthy meals? This goes beyond breakfast as well.
Sandwich & salad bars similar to Subway & Salata would be ideal to place in our FBISD schools. I’m well aware of the costs associated with bringing in healthier, fresher food options, but I consider this a sound investment to at minimum consider. The district should too.
Let’s do more the next time food vendors are up for contract renegotiation. It’s starts with asking the right questions, and then making an informed decision with the community’s feedback and buy in. Together, we can ensure our kids have the best opportunity to succeed. It starts with a balanced diet.
Related Articles:
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2013/02/27/study-finds-school-breakfast-is-a-key-to-future-success/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/289854-does-eating-breakfast-help-your-performance-in-school/