Ever get the feeling that we are ignoring the food that our kids are eating at school and sports events? Well it's time you join the Mercer Island Food Revolution!!! Headed by Linda Floyd, who was kind enough to do a Q & A with us, this revolution is all about healthier meals. No one wants to see our kids deprived of a fun treat once in a while, but who doesn't want delicious whole food served to our kids for their daily meals?
Please take the time to come and join us at the Community Dinner on May 5th at 6:00PM at Islander Middle School. Thank you Linda for answering all of our burning questions!
What inspired this revolution?
There has always been a strong interest in healthy foods for kids on Mercer Island. A parent group formed a few years ago to help the district develop a Wellness Policy and to advocate for healthier hot lunches at school. Now there is a national movement underway to change the way we feed our kids. Mercer Island Food Revolution is continuing the good work of the previous parent coalition and gaining the interest of even more parents and teachers as this has become a visible issue in the media.
What is this community dinner all about?
Our first Community Dinner is on Thursday, May 5th at 6PM at IMS. It’s an opportunity for families to come together to enjoy a healthy, delicious, freshly prepared meal. Busy families can take time to eat together and to hear about Mercer Island Food Revolution and our partnership with Experience Food Project, a Whidbey Island-based nonprofit. Chef Tom from EFP will prepare the meal along with district food staff. Admission is first come, first served and by donation. Any proceeds from the dinner will go toward food programs for island kids.
What kinds of foods can the kids expect to see in the lunchroom?
There have been some positive changes to the lunches served at the elementary schools this year. Desserts are rarely served now. Fruits or vegetables are served on the trays daily. There are occasional meal choices that are at least partly freshly made in the IMS kitchen. We appreciate these efforts. However, our group would like to see even bigger changes. We’d like to get rid of frozen, processed meals and have fresh meals made from whole foods. We are advocating for freshly prepared meals that are organic and local when possible.
What can we do as parents to support the Mercer Island food revolution?
There are many ways parents can support the Mercer Island Food Revolution. No one wants to deny treats for special occasions but for everyday snacks for school classes or sports teams try bringing fruits or vegetables; they are convenient and healthy. Perhaps for your child’s sports team you could suggest kids bring reusable water bottles so no parent feels obliged to hand out sugary juices or sports drinks. Support the Boys and Girls Club and Parks and Recreation as they strive to bring healthier snack and concession choices to our kids. Join our revolution by “liking” Mercer Island Food Revolution on Facebook. And come to our community dinner. We’d love to see you!
Community Dinner event page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151275388273190
Mercer Island Food Revolution page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151275388273190#!/pages/Mercer-Island-Food-Revolution/193826360649983
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution community page: http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/activists
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