Jury gives high marks to school nutrition

School nutrition programs at campuses around Sonoma County
received high marks from the Sonoma County Grand Jury, which last
week published a report applauding the “remarkable progress” of
campus programs and activities.
The two-page report applauded the progress made by a dozen
school districts that offered students a blend of nutritious foods
and programs that promote healthy lifestyles.
“Within a diverse sample of twelve schools, we found that most
staff and faculty were committed to providing well balanced,
nutritional meals for their students, encouraging more physical
activity, and phasing out less healthy foods,” says the Grand Jury
report. “We found ample evidence that positive changes are
happening as a result of creative and cooperative work among
parents, teachers, are happening in our public schools!”
For the report, Grand Jurors visited campuses, spoke with food
service employees and ate with students. They found that
“significant progress is being made by local schools in providing
more nutritious choices” and that food programs offer students
whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. The report also noted
the abundance of school gardens and programs that educate parents
on good nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
In one finding sure to bring a chuckle to those who remember
school menus, the Grand Jury did criticize the spork — the
fork/spoon combination utensil found in cafeterias throughout the
nation. “Due to budget considerations, the only eating utensil most
schools provide is a light plastic ‘spork’,” says the report. “The
children and the Jurors disliked the combination spoon-forks and
found them very difficult to use. We felt that something better is
needed.”
Outside of the spork, the Grand Jury found much to like in what
they saw. “It was our conclusion that Sonoma County Schools are
committed to establishing healthy behaviors among their students,”
says the report. “We found evidence that they are pursuing this
goal in a variety of innovative ways; through student input,
choices of food, student participation in food preparation,
recycling, and in some instances growing part of their food in
school gardens.”
The Grand Jury recommend school districts “continue and expand
communications” with their communities on wellness policies and the
impacts of these policies on the lives of children. “Parents play a
pivotal role by incorporating these changes so that they become
lifetime habits,” says the report.
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Carl Wong was pleased by
the findings included in the report. “I value the interest of the
Grand Jury looking into the topic,” he said. “The resulting report
serves to reinforce progress in the county and helps keep moving
the agenda forward. I’m very pleased and appreciative of the
research findings.”