Letters to the Editor

Oct. 30, 2023

...gets on soapbox

The October 25th edition of the Highlander ran a center spread on lunch menus across the lands.  The article goes on to explain how lunches in the U.S. used to be unhealthy and how in 2010 Michelle Obama changed that with her Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.  The article continues on to boast the "many positive results" including that "the new healthy standards are not causing more food waste".  As a person who had lunch duty in the cafeteria last year I have seen some wild food waste scenarios.  Example, getting lunch only for the Doritos and then throwing everything else away.  Students would repeat this move more than one time.  Moving on, the article continues with stating "Before Michelle Obama, school lunches resembled your average fast food restaurant: burgers, fries, pizza and soda".  Again, if anyone were to cruise through our cafeteria they would see these exact items served on the regular sans the soda.  

Now, I'm all for kids eating and believe that free breakfast and lunch is great for those who would go without eating but to pretend that it is healthier, not processed and less wasteful is laughable. I like that people are trying to make healthy foods available in our schools but many statements in this article seem quite contradictory.  

...gets off soapbox

I feel better now, thanks. 

Nate McGory

ERC Teacher David Douglas High School