Most protests in the news this summer featured angry demonstrators spouting political rhetoric, with some even brandishing weapons. At a protest in San Lorenzo Park yesterday, demonstrators brandished freshly made pasta and plenty of leafy greens. With Congress about to reauthorize its child nutrition program, the demonstrators held an “Eat In” to improve the quality of school food.
Most protests in the news this summer featured angry demonstrators spouting political rhetoric, with some even brandishing weapons. At a protest in San Lorenzo Park yesterday, demonstrators brandished freshly made pasta and plenty of leafy greens. With Congress about to reauthorize its child nutrition program, the demonstrators held an “Eat In” to improve the quality of school food.
One of the protesters was Cliff Warren of Slow Food Santa Cruz. He explained that the government now spends an average of $2.90 per meal at schools, but the result is usually processed foods, which contribute to childhood obesity. By adding just $1 to the cost, he continued, for a total of $5 billion per year, schools could improve the quality of their food, moving away from excess commodities and favoring more wholesome fresh foods. “There’s a difference between food and food products,” added one student. Warren justified the additional cost, saying that problems associated with childhood obesity are already costing the nation $120 billion. “If for an extra $5 billion we can reduce obesity, it makes good economic sense.” Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
