Help Improve DC School LunchesThe quality of lunches in DC public schools is under debate. Students often eat only a part of their lunch, if any at all, because of the poor taste and quality. This results in hungry students who are more likely to get sick and miss school because their diets are negatively affecting their performance, concentration and behavior. Contributing to the poor quality of meals at school is a new USDA policy that offers irradiated ground beef for school lunches.
In May 2003, despite the opposition of thousands of parents, teachers, students and concerned citizens, the US Department of Agriculture chose to make irradiated meat available for the National School Lunch Program. At 13 to 20 cents more per pound, the government is encouraging cash-strapped schools to spend more money for an unnecessary and potentially unsafe product. Irradiation creates unique chemicals in food and destroys up to 95 percent of the vitamin content. Research has revealed a wide range of health problems in laboratory animals that ate irradiated food, including promotion of cancer growth and genetic damage. Yet there is no research on the long-term health effects experienced by children who eat irradiated food.
The DC ad hoc school lunch committee is currently looking at these issues and will make a recommendation to the full school board soon. Please help show the school board that we care what kids eat in school! Take action now by clicking below to send an easy, quick e-mail to DC school board members.
Take Action Now [Public Citizen]
Irradiated Meat Fact Sheet [Sustainable Table]
Irradiated Meat – A Sneak Attack on School Lunches [Weston A. Price Foundation]
