Abstract
Research supports the notion that diet affects children's health and later risk of death and disease (Jacobson, 1994). Studies present a pattern of dietary habits that are associated with reduced rate of illness such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, and hypertension (Adams & Standridge, 2006). Based on existing evidence, the optimal diet to prevent illness should emphasize fruits and vegetables, nuts, unsaturated fats, whole grains, and fish. Unfortunately, the 29.6 million children that
participate in the National School lunch Program every day are often served foods that can contribute to food related illness and disease, including processed foods, trans-fats, red-meat, and dairy foods (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 2006). Ideally, schools should be providing children with foods that support health, as the federal school lunch program is one of the few places where the government can claim jurisdiction over food consumption in an effort to curb childhood obesity. In many states across the nation, parents and other concerned community members are organizing in an effort to improve school lunches. The purpose of this project is to offer local solutions for community members interested in improving the school lunch environment, by providing tips on organizing a school-lunch reform team, examples of schools that have successfully revamped their school lunch programs, and healthy menu ideas.