Fresh!

Real Food for Kids Campaign

Please consider writing to your school board member TODAY to help move the Real Food For Kids initiative forward. Timing is VITAL, as they are considering the motion. You may use the sample letter below. Please personalize, as desired. You can find your school board member's email address with the link below. If you know any parent that has dealt with allergy issues, special needs, health issues, dietary concerns, please pass this on. If you are outside of our school district, but know concerned parents who want healthier options for their kids, please pass on this message. If you live in our county and know other friends, family, neighbors, please pass this on. If you have not yet signed our petition, please click here. For more information, please see our website at www.realfoodforkids.org.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Together we can make this happen.

Dear ___________________________ (insert School Board member name here):
(click here for a link to your school board member: http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/members/bdmembers.shtml)

I am writing to ask you to support the Real Food For Kids healthy school food initiative. I understand that Fairfax County meets/exceeds the guidelines set forth by the USDA, but schools are still permitted to serve highly processed foods. I would like to send my children to school each day knowing that they are receiving foods that are free of artificial additives, preservatives, dyes, HFCS and other excess sugars, hydrogenated oils, and flavor enhancers such as MSG. I am in favor of more fresh fruits and vegetables, too.

With the high rate of obesity and diabetes that is affecting school children, the timing is very important. We need to start the change now, in line with other school districts around the country.

Fairfax County is a noted school district nationally. We should be at the forefront of this movement, and ensure our children have healthy, nutritious meals that help them maximize their academic achievement and attention during the school day.

Please consider voting to support the Real Food For Kids proposal.

Thank you,
Signature
Date

Resolution To Improve School Food at Fairfax County Public Schools

WHEREAS, the health, nutrition, and education of our children is of highest concern to the citizens of Fairfax County; and
WHEREAS, providing more nutritious foods to children has received national attention from First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign; and
WHEREAS, school food today is made up of highly processed products that are dyed, artificially flavored, preserved, and flavor enhanced, using petroleum based chemicals found in plastics and pesticides; and
WHEREAS, bottled water costs a dollar, and cups of water are not available;
WHEREAS, these artificial additives can negatively impact childhood behavior and learning, including the following issues: obesity, diabetes, hyperactivity, developmental delays, ability to focus, asthma, depression, mood/irritability, violent behavior; and
WHEREAS, serving real food can impact our children's success by a) increasing academic performance, b) lowering weight and rates of obesity, c) improving behavior, and d) reducing special education needs/costs; and
WHEREAS, it did not cost Fairfax County any additional funds when it successfully eliminated artificial ingredients and harmful additives from school food in the 1980's; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Louise Archer Elementary School PTA encourages Fairfax County Public Schools to take a FIRST step of improving the overall health and nutrition of foods served at schools, by implementing the following initial changes:

• Increase the quantity of fresh, naturally grown, fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, e.g. providing a salad bar
• Eliminate highly processed food and replace with real food.
• Eliminate flavor enhancers like MSG, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed protein, etc.
• Eliminate trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils) or fully hydrogenated oils
• Eliminate artificial additives, dyes, preservatives
• Eliminate high fructose corn syrup and limit other added sugars
• Provide cups of water or bottled water available in the lunch room at a free or economical price
• Provide organic milk for purchase as an option