Cool for School

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“Wellness in the Schools (WITS) is a non-profit, community based organization founded in 2005 in order to improve the environment, nutrition, and fitness in NYC public schools.”

The organization wants to fight obesity ad improve school environments. They have three programs: Cook for Kids, Green for Kids, and Coach for Kids.

Cook for Kids

WITS sends culinary school graduates to NYC public schools to educate students and families about the importance of eating whole, unprocessed food. They go into the school kitchens, make meals from scratch and serve them to 6,500 students.

Green for Kids

Works with other NYC environmental efforts. Their signature program was launched to help make sure schools used effective bio-based cleaning products that are not harmful to children and the planet.

Coach for Kids

During recess, trained coaches encourage the least active children to participate in exciting fun activities. They also help to ward off bullying.

This is a win-win situation. Culinary graduates can cook for a cause and kids can enjoy and learn about real food!

Tom Colicchio Addresses Food in Schools

Photo Credit: http://www.dccentralkitchen.org/article.php?id=219

Tom Colicchio, restaurateur and head judge of Bravo TV’s Top Chef, sat down for an interview with CNN’s Eatocracy to discuss food in schools and children’s access to food. As the son of a school cafeteria manager, Colicchio understands the importance of school food, as it may be the only meal of the day for many children.

Prior to sitting down for this interview, Colicchio spoke out in support of the Child Nutrition Act as it came up in the House.

In the interview, Colicchio emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to meals at school for all children, and to making those meals healthy. We at The Organic School Project feel the same way. Check out the interview, and peruse Eatocracy’s website for more food news.

Impact the future of school food by contacting your representative

Congress is working on federal legislation that can help meet the nutritional needs of children by deciding school food policy and resource allocation.

Reauthorization bills of the Child Nutrition Act have been introduced in both the House and the Senate. While both contain stipulations promoting health, neither provides enough funding to make integral changes (the House bill only asks for an additional 6 cents for each meal).

Mark-up on the bill begins today, and representatives need to hear your thoughts. Please take a moment to urge your representative to support increased funding for healthy school food.

This is a chance to impact the future of school food and combat hunger and youth-related health issues such as childhood obesity, and we need your help. This act is only reauthorized every 5 years, so now is the time to do something!

To learn more information and take action, check out Healthy Schools Campaign’s website:

http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/getinvolved/action/childnutrition/action.php