Let Them Eat Cake: The First Lady’s “Improved” Public School Lunches vs. The Obama Girls’ School Lunch Menu

The Organic Prepper

Ahhh…fall.  The last long weekend of summer is here.  The weather will begin to be crisp. Fall colors will begin to peek out of the trees.  Kids are going back to school.

This year, the kids have something new to rejoice over. Students can be very thankful that First Lady Michelle Obama has become the unelected Food Nazi of school cafeterias across the nation. They can look forward to delicious meals at the cafeteria and glowing good health because of the fare they will be served.   

Mrs. Obama is determined to whip school lunches into shape with stringent guidelines.  This is the same Mrs. Obama who recently discussed how baffling it was to try and decipher a food label before her drive to get the FDA to improve them:

So there you stood, alone in some aisle in a store, the clock ticking away at the precious little time remaining to complete your weekly grocery shopping, and all you could do was scratch your head, confused and bewildered, and wonder, is there too much sugar in this product? Is 50 percent of the daily allowance of riboflavin a good thing or a bad thing? And how on Earth could this teeny little package contain five whole servings?(source)

Yeah, this is definitely the person we want in charge of children’s nutrition. Fortunately, you no longer have to be confused because the new labels have the same information in big letters to clarify it for you. Which is sort of like shouting in English to a person who doesn’t understand English in the hopes that your volume will aid in their comprehension.

Anyway back to school lunches.

The ironically named “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act” has placed strong regulations on what can be served in school cafeterias, and in what amounts:

• More vegetables and fruit will be offered daily, including greater variety in colorful produce to provide an array of nutrients and fiber. Low-calorie options will be emphasized, and starchier types will be limited.
• Fat-free and low-fat milk ,as well as lower-fat meat options, like skinless chicken breast, will contribute to a fat-trimmed menu.
• Whole grains will contribute at least half of all grains offered; over time, all grains should become whole.
• Zero grams trans fat in any ingredient or product served.
• Gradual reduction in sodium content over time. (As noted by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, prior to the above regulations, some school lunches contained more than 60 percent of the daily recommended quantity of sodium for children.)
• Appropriate caloric requirements and nutrient needs for specified age groups. (Source)

USNews.com, cheerfully reporting for the Ministry of Propaganda White House, says that the kids are absolutely thrilled with this turn of events.

Moreover, another new study reported that, contrary to initial beliefs, kids are actually enjoying the healthier changes. School administrators across U.S. public schools were asked to report students’perceptions, waste and satisfaction levels about their school lunch. Surveys showed that students liked the meals, at least to some extent, by the end of the first year of implementation, and complaints about the new meals decreased significantly by the end of the year. Suburban and urban public schools even reported less waste and fewer dropouts of the lunch program compared to rural schools. (Source)

However, some vocal students seem to disagree with this “study” – vehemently and with photographic evidence.

(source of photos)

Mmmm….doesn’t that look healthy and delicious? Don’t forget, the kids are also being “protected” from excess calories with limited portions of the above.

Just to be  clear – the lunches above are the ones kids are getting whether they purchase the “food” or have it subsidized by the government.  If your kids attend public school, you’re probably going to want pack them a lunch from home
.

Meanwhile, at Sidwell Friends School…

Lest you think that the new lunch regulations only affect the lunches of mere mortal children, Sidwell Friends School is adhering to the new standards too.  Sidwell Friends is the private school where the Obama girls attend (while protected by armed agents, unlike our kids ensconced in their gun-free-zone schools – but that is another article).

Here’s the menu for Sasha and Malia this week, from the Sidwell Friends website:

September 2, 2014

Snack: Breadsticks & Cheese

Watermelon, Feta and
Arugula Salad
All Natural BBQ Wings
Black Bean & Tortilla Casserole
Sautéed Local Greens
Steamed Sweet Corn & Peppers
Farmer’s Market Cantaloupe

September 3, 2014

Snack: Freshly Baked Muffins

Tuna, Pasta Salad
Pizza Day
Classic Pepperoni & Cheese
Variety of Veggie Flatbread Pizza
Garlic Roasted Local Zucchini
Local Watermelon

September 4, 2014

Snack: Grapes & Cheese

Chilled Blueberry Soup
Lentil, Beet & Orange Salad
All Natural Meatball Subs
Margherita Orzo
Farmer’s Market Vegetable
Baked Potato Wedges
Farmer’s Market Peaches

September 5, 2014

Snack: Yogurt Variety

Local Cantaloupe, Arugula and Prosciutto Salad
Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad
Bell & Evans Baked Chicken Patties
“End of Summer Ragout”
Local Yellow & Green Beans
Basmati Rosemary Rice
Sliced Pineapple

Here’s a photo from the Sidwell Friends lunchroom. (source)

My goodness. I don’t understand what those public school children are complaining about. Clearly, the kids of the nation are all being subjected to the same guidelines, whether they attend a public school or a private one.

I’m starting to understand why all of those peasants in France got so ticked off at Marie Antoinette.

Resources:

Learn about Michelle Obama’s garden in her book:

American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America

Best Lunch Box Ever: Ideas and Recipes for School Lunches Kids Will Love

The Lost Art of Feeding Kids: What Italy Taught Me about Why Children Need Real Food

Daisy Luther is a freelance writer and editor.  Her website, The Organic Prepper, offers information on healthy prepping, including premium nutritional choices, general wellness and non-tech solutions. You can follow Daisy on Facebook and Twitter, and you can email her at daisy@theorganicprepper.ca

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