General Discussion

Cairycat

(1,867 posts)

44. The government does have a role via the National School Lunch Program

Fri Sep 14, 2012, 10:23 PM

Sep 2012

For years school lunch has reflected government policy with their nutrition standards. Currently, there is a strong emphasis on greater consumption of fruits and vegetables, and lower consumption of fat, salt and sugar.

All school lunches are subsidized to some extent by the USDA, not just free and reduced lunches. It makes sense to have school food be as nutritious as possible, while still being economical, to get the most bang for the taxpayer's buck. But it is also a chance to teach kids healthy eating habits. Though we're only a few weeks into this school year, the recent changes are already having an effect, especially on the younger kids - I see it every day as a lunch lady.

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Should the government have any role in fighting obesity or improving the health of its citizens? [View all] nobodyspecial Sep 2012 OP

I honestly think that it does, and the best thing to do would be to look more carefully at "foods" PDJane Sep 2012 #1

Exactly get the red out Sep 2012 #3

It is no differenct from air and water BlueStreak Sep 2012 #55

stop funding big ag, start funding family victory gardens and small organic farms Voice for Peace Sep 2012 #81

I think so. And an added benefit is to reduce to $$$ spent on health care. If we could sinkingfeeling Sep 2012 #2

At the very least, it shouldn't be working against us, as it is now nichomachus Sep 2012 #4

Wow, I did not know that nobodyspecial Sep 2012 #12

You can get a ton of links nichomachus Sep 2012 #18

How to frame this? tama Sep 2012 #5

That might be a little too deep. nobodyspecial Sep 2012 #13

I'm radical tama Sep 2012 #24

And when you go that deep nobodyspecial Sep 2012 #30

OK tama Sep 2012 #33

advice and thats it. loli phabay Sep 2012 #6

I would add opportunity loyalsister Sep 2012 #29

Regulate the food supply to be wholesome and uncontaminated? nt bemildred Sep 2012 #7

Or deregulate tama Sep 2012 #26

I dunno. What do you think? nt bemildred Sep 2012 #36

Money tama Sep 2012 #37

That is the role I see a secure, robust social safety net serving. bemildred Sep 2012 #38

Yup tama Sep 2012 #41

Our obesity epidemic is a very serious PUBLIC HEALTH issue, and potentially a kestrel91316 Sep 2012 #8

I was talking with someone in the military recently nobodyspecial Sep 2012 #14

Really? That's crazy. I had to do the following: Inkfreak Sep 2012 #50

This is not a new problem Turbineguy Sep 2012 #54

Only if the role is advisory and not coercive n/t Shrek Sep 2012 #9

What would you consider coercive? nobodyspecial Sep 2012 #16

I believe the preamble plcdude Sep 2012 #10

Information and advice only, with regards to what we should be eating. eom yawnmaster Sep 2012 #11

What about policies to promote healthier eating? nobodyspecial Sep 2012 #15

On the same page shintao Sep 2012 #20

Quit subsidizing corn. Alduin Sep 2012 #17

The best step to me would be to force corn syrup and or sugars marlakay Sep 2012 #19

NY just banned sugar drinks in restaurants shintao Sep 2012 #23

The most important way the government promotes health is: decent-paying jobs and reduction HiPointDem Sep 2012 #21

It is very much a matter of opportunity loyalsister Sep 2012 #27

nobody pries into what people with money eat, but for some reason, if you're poor they think HiPointDem Sep 2012 #48

+1 leftstreet Sep 2012 #71

PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE. aquart Sep 2012 #22

Totalitarian governments control all aspects of their subjects' lives. nt jody Sep 2012 #25

No, the American people should be able to tell bad meat from good. JoePhilly Sep 2012 #28

A joke, correct? WinkyDink Sep 2012 #35

Not if you are a Republican. JoePhilly Sep 2012 #43

Yes, the free market will sort it out nobodyspecial Sep 2012 #45

Sure, by encouraging and promoting good health. I don't see any reason not to. n/t cynatnite Sep 2012 #31

IMHO, the only role the government could really have.... moriah Sep 2012 #32

Those are two different questions. And "any" is waaaay too broad. WinkyDink Sep 2012 #34

Do you have anything like this there? polly7 Sep 2012 #39

Maybe a modern, non-subsidized mandatory nutrition program in every high school is in order. flvegan Sep 2012 #40

Here in Finland tama Sep 2012 #42

I took home ec. Didn't learn much. Not enough time to do much. Honeycombe8 Sep 2012 #58

I totally agree. And a finance course. Kids getting out of school Honeycombe8 Sep 2012 #57

Gardening tama Sep 2012 #61

I wish that had been an elective in high school. I would've loved to have taken that. nt Honeycombe8 Sep 2012 #62

I whole heartedly Dorian Gray Sep 2012 #59

The government does have a role via the National School Lunch Program Cairycat Sep 2012 #44

Nnnnnope. cherokeeprogressive Sep 2012 #46

Hell no, the government should stay out of the way jsr Sep 2012 #47

Well, considering that 99.9% of all obesity... egduj Sep 2012 #49

I don't buy that at all Travis_0004 Sep 2012 #52

Where'd you get those numbers? Dorian Gray Sep 2012 #60

Where did I get those numbers? egduj Sep 2012 #65

I find that highly doubtful Bluefin Tuna Sep 2012 #72

I dispute this Brainstormy Sep 2012 #80

imo the gov't should make sure the food supply is clean - as chemical free... polichick Sep 2012 #51

Yes. Warren Stupidity Sep 2012 #53

Yes. What that role should be is the issue. But it's good public policy and investment in future... Honeycombe8 Sep 2012 #56

My feeling for a long time has been that all food should be labeled with a simple RKP5637 Sep 2012 #63

No rock Sep 2012 #64

They should go after the suppliers, not dictate to the citizens. smirkymonkey Sep 2012 #66

Not sure what this means nobodyspecial Sep 2012 #67

No,but perhaps from using HFCS or using a smaller amount of it. smirkymonkey Sep 2012 #68

It should direct billions of our tax dollars to the corn industry to produce HFCS. Romulox Sep 2012 #69

Yes, stuff Monsanto, Con Agra, ADM et al upi402 Sep 2012 #70

NEVER! BOG PERSON Sep 2012 #73

Yes. Medicare Part E -- E for Everybody. I want my taxes to go to Medicare for Everyone. Overseas Sep 2012 #74

The government has the role of protecting American interests. porphyrian Sep 2012 #75

Yes, because obesity poses huge costs for American health care every year. Bluefin Tuna Sep 2012 #76

The gov't should guarantee that food products that ARE GMO are properly labeled as such. There's mother earth Sep 2012 #77

Sure. Constant evaluation of subsidies impacts and re-targeting as needed. TheKentuckian Sep 2012 #78

Well, for starters . . . Brainstormy Sep 2012 #79

Good post laundry_queen Sep 2012 #82

You're right about endocrine disrupters Brainstormy Sep 2012 #83