Food in our Schools is the topic of the 4th Monday Northfield League of Women Voters discussion, held Monday, January 23, at 7 p.m. in the meeting room at the Northfield Public Library.

Much ado about cupcakes…

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Sorry, but in the cosmic realm of things, this is an issue that assuredly does not blow my dress up, and I’m not about to spend time on it. We’ve got a war going on, we’re overbuilding energy infrastructure to facilitate de facto deregulation, the government’s spying on us, and much as I hate the cold, we’re undeniably feeling and seeing the impacts of global warming. School food? I don’t think so. Yes, it makes sense to pay attention to this, but… I watch what my girls eat as much as the next mom: real shin bones from Huttel’s, a staple diet of lamb and rice, carrrots and apples for snacks. I agonized as I brought in the first package of hot dogs ever to grace my door to use for training, and continue to be hopelessly embarassed as I stand in the check out line. Ken will testify that she doesn’t often have a caprophagous grin! (I digress, I was looking for a link to caprophagous, ended up on Dave Barry’s blog and found this!)

And I have to admit, Julie’s got a point that it’s controversial — her phone rang yesterday and it’s Joe Soucheray and she’s on the air! But… SCHOOL FOOD? …yawn…

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Sean Hayford O’Leary
had this to say, with ambivalence and offering a suggestion:

I don’t know, I think I agree with this District 41 person. Treats are fun and enjoyable, and I really don’t think the one caramel apple every three weeks is the problem here.

Imagine if Northfield Public Schools stopped providing bus transit to anyone who lived within two-three miles of their school? Save the district a ton of money, which they could perhaps dump into a higher-quality lunch program (nothing quite so appetizing and healthful as the current rectangle of non-wheat pizza, appearing to be covered in days of residual grease (don’t even get me started on their [lack] of vegetarian options)). And (obviously) getting rid of most snack-food items, and offering healthier, organic alternatives.

Combine the above and I see no problem with the occasional birthday cupcake.

Exactly — don’t get between me and my cupcake!

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