Sign in or 
| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 22 2009, 11:13 PM EST (current) | BICSF | 1 word added, 1 word deleted |
| Jan 22 2009, 11:12 PM EST | BICSF | 8 words added, 1 word deleted |
Changes
Key: Additions Deletions
Contact us: bettericsfood@gmail.com
New Year, New Resolve
BICSF has been fairly quiet over the last few months, but the desire to improve the nutrition provided to our children at school continues. We'd like to thank the ICCSD for some great improvements that they have made to the school lunch system, and to urge them to continue in this direction, making Iowa City a model of excellence for other school districts.
The ICCSD wellness committee met on Tuesday, January 20th. They discussed the feeback they received from teachers on the Wellness Policy, the changes that have been made so far and where to go from here. Here are a few of the highlights.
1. The ICCSD supports the work of the Wellness committee and encourages the members to continue with it. However, they've also made it clear that there's no money available for making further changes to the lunch system. They have also signalled some reluctance in pursuing two other issues of interest to committee members - the problem of teachers using food and treats as rewards and incentives, and the issue of rescheduling recess so that it is before lunch.
2. The committee discussed the feedback received from teachers. They received approximately 20 responses out of almost 1000 teachers across the district. The comments were generally positive, although there were a few comments indicating opposition to any policy "dictating" how teachers use food in the classroom and suggestions that the committee focus instead on "teaching healthy choices."
3. The committee agreed that they need to identify one or two concrete issues or recommendations and focus on implementing these. They did not agree on what those should be.
4. There appeared to be some agreement that food services had made a significant number of changes to the school lunch system already - e.g. including more whole grains and fresh fruits and veg - and pressure should be eased on them for the moment while attention turns elsewhere.
5. Committee members emphasized that pressure from parents is often the most effective way to get change implemented and I suggested that, once the members decided on their next step we would organize our members to rally behind it.
If you have any thoughts about what you'd like this group to do next, please post them on the discussion board under the thread "What's next?".next?" Let's all think for a while and talk and then figure out our next step.
The School Milk Campaign!
Foodandwaterwatch.org are currently working to get rBGH milk out of Iowa City schools - an issue that many of you have expressed concern about. Schools are currently obliged by federal law to buy the cheapest milk available - most of which has rBGH. Foodandwaterwatch.org are trying to get the law changed so that school districts and food directors have the option to purchase better quality dairy products, including organic or hormone free milk. You can sign the petition on-line here. For more information, contact Caitlin Seeley, cseeley@fwwatch.org, 319-354-8116, ext. 115
Sheri Reed/ todayispretty.wordpress.com
Join our wiki community!
We need you to help us create this site! Add and edit pages, add links, start discussions, post materials and information. It's easy - just log in and then click the "Easy Edit" button on any page. We're looking for more articles on the Scientific Research page, and more links to local organizations! Help us out! Be part of a movement which is changing the way we think about food!
The primary goal of Better Iowa City School Food is to publicise the work of the ICCSD Wellness Committee and get the Wellness policy recommendations for nutrition implemented (Appendix C). The main recommendations are as follows:
New Year, New Resolve
BICSF has been fairly quiet over the last few months, but the desire to improve the nutrition provided to our children at school continues. We'd like to thank the ICCSD for some great improvements that they have made to the school lunch system, and to urge them to continue in this direction, making Iowa City a model of excellence for other school districts.
News
The ICCSD wellness committee met on Tuesday, January 20th. They discussed the feeback they received from teachers on the Wellness Policy, the changes that have been made so far and where to go from here. Here are a few of the highlights.
1. The ICCSD supports the work of the Wellness committee and encourages the members to continue with it. However, they've also made it clear that there's no money available for making further changes to the lunch system. They have also signalled some reluctance in pursuing two other issues of interest to committee members - the problem of teachers using food and treats as rewards and incentives, and the issue of rescheduling recess so that it is before lunch.
2. The committee discussed the feedback received from teachers. They received approximately 20 responses out of almost 1000 teachers across the district. The comments were generally positive, although there were a few comments indicating opposition to any policy "dictating" how teachers use food in the classroom and suggestions that the committee focus instead on "teaching healthy choices."
3. The committee agreed that they need to identify one or two concrete issues or recommendations and focus on implementing these. They did not agree on what those should be.
4. There appeared to be some agreement that food services had made a significant number of changes to the school lunch system already - e.g. including more whole grains and fresh fruits and veg - and pressure should be eased on them for the moment while attention turns elsewhere.
5. Committee members emphasized that pressure from parents is often the most effective way to get change implemented and I suggested that, once the members decided on their next step we would organize our members to rally behind it.
If you have any thoughts about what you'd like this group to do next, please post them on the discussion board under the thread "What's next?".next?" Let's all think for a while and talk and then figure out our next step.
The School Milk Campaign!
Foodandwaterwatch.org are currently working to get rBGH milk out of Iowa City schools - an issue that many of you have expressed concern about. Schools are currently obliged by federal law to buy the cheapest milk available - most of which has rBGH. Foodandwaterwatch.org are trying to get the law changed so that school districts and food directors have the option to purchase better quality dairy products, including organic or hormone free milk. You can sign the petition on-line here. For more information, contact Caitlin Seeley, cseeley@fwwatch.org, 319-354-8116, ext. 115
Sheri Reed/ todayispretty.wordpress.com
| Two recently published fact sheets from the Center for Science in the Public Interest! Share them with schools, administrators, teachers, principals friends and parents School Funding Myths, a recent publication from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, dispells some myths about the cost of reforming school food.... The Federal School Nutrition Fact Sheet provides some alarming statistics about our children's health and calls for legislation to update the current USDA's school nutrition standards.... | Survey: Iowa City students comment on school lunch! Click here to see the results of a wonderful survey carried out by a junior high student here in Iowa City. Thanks Emily for all your hard work and for this wonderful contribution! |
Join our wiki community!
We need you to help us create this site! Add and edit pages, add links, start discussions, post materials and information. It's easy - just log in and then click the "Easy Edit" button on any page. We're looking for more articles on the Scientific Research page, and more links to local organizations! Help us out! Be part of a movement which is changing the way we think about food!
| Tell the federal government what you think! The USDA has issued a request for public input in preparation for the 2009 Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs. Let them know what you'd like to see change in the school lunch program! You can submitted comments electronically here, or speak up in person at a public forum in Chicago on September 10th. This is a great opportunity to make your voice heard! | New Supporting Organization Better Iowa City School Food is now affiliated with the Center for Science in the Public Interest's efforts to improve school food. See their website for more details and some great resources! And sign their petition in support of the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act! |
The primary goal of Better Iowa City School Food is to publicise the work of the ICCSD Wellness Committee and get the Wellness policy recommendations for nutrition implemented (Appendix C). The main recommendations are as follows:
Food items served and sold in schools shall to the extent possible be prepared from fresh, locally grown or produced, and organic ingredients. Food service staff will design and actively pursue programs which make this possible, and if necessary recruit the support of local individuals and organizations. • Food items served and sold in schools shall reflect the cultural diversity of the student body and consideration of special dietary needs, and food preferences and practices. • Nutritious and appealing foods, such as fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy foods and low fat grain products, shall be available wherever and whenever food is sold or offered at school. • Schools should encourage the purchase of nutritious items by pricing healthy items at an affordable price.
