ABOUT THE COALITION

We are a group of parents from across Baltimore County working to improve school lunches and give kids the good food they deserve. We are educating ourselves and others about what is served in our cafeterias, about the constraints placed on the lunch program, and about where the meals come from and what's in them. We will work collaboratively with the BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition, which has already taken important steps to improve the lunches served in school.

Our goals include:

• Reducing the number of processed-food entrees
• Adding more fresh fruit and veggies to the menus 
• Buying local produce, meat and poultry when feasible
• Incorporating healthy-eating lessons into the curriculum

As part of our educational process, we're visiting school cafeterias to see what's served (and what gets tossed in the trash). We're meeting with BCPS officials to get their input. We are talking with cafeteria staff to find out what changes they would like to see. We're delving into federal guidelines and following national and local legislation that could impact what our kids eat. We are talking to local farmers to find out how our schools can turn to them instead of to food processors halfway across the country.

So if you're concerned about what your kids are eating at school, join us. If you pack lunch most days because you're not satisfied with the cafeteria offerings, join us. If you want schools to set a good example when it comes to healthy eating, join us.

Q & A about the Coalition:

Q: If the USDA mandates certain standards, isn't that enough? 

A: It’s a start, but the USDA's bar is actually fairly low. For instance, heavily processed chicken nuggets from random chicken parts can meet USDA guidelines, but that doesn't mean they are good for our kids. There is no reason Baltimore County can't go above and beyond federal standards and still stay within its budget.

Q: I pack my child's lunch. Why should I care what the schools serve?
A: Even if kids are not eating the school lunches, they still are exposed to these offerings and learn that their school approves of eating these types of foods. School is a place where kids are learning constantly; don't we want them to learn good eating habits at school instead of having parents' efforts undermined?  Additionally, for some kids, a free or reduced-price school lunch is their main sustenance for the day. They deserve to eat something truly healthy. 



Q: Why aren't you urging the county to serve organic foods when they are so much healthier than traditional foods? 

A: While it would be wonderful if the schools could serve organic food, their budgets simply don't allow it at this time. There are other important measures that are within the county's reach and the Coalition decided that it makes more sense to focus on those areas. 



Q: Are Baltimore County school lunches really all that bad? 

A: The county has made improvements and we applaud them for their efforts, some of which began long before our group was formed. They recently agreed to eliminate whipped topping from the fresh fruit (which is just whipped hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup) and they will no longer count Jell-O as a fruit. But there is still much room for improvement.  For example, there are still too many heavily processed foods that could and should be dropped from the menus.   



Q: Our family eats a lot of fast food and that's what my kids like. Why should you tell me what to eat?

A: The Coalition wants to help families make informed decisions about their foods, but it is in no way trying to dictate to people what they should eat in their private lives or what they should pack in their children's lunch boxes. Many of us let our kids watch television and play video games at home, but that doesn't mean those things belong in the schools. School meals could be a great way to teach kids healthy habits for life. Children expect to be learning at school; it is one of the best environments for teaching them about healthy meals.  A school is a community activity based on learning and we should expect certain standards from those responsible for teaching and feeding our kids. 

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Susie Ballenger
Belinda Blinkoff 

Lisa Bradley 

Tracy Brown 

Susanna DeRocco

Beth Foster

Lorraine Giangrandi

Jenny Glazier
Kristin Hamilton
Sasha Harris

Kris Henry

Marya Howell
Paula LacKamp

Sue Langford

Linda MacWilliams
Amy Steinly-Marks
Heather Nelson

Christine Slade

Erin Spurrier 

Cleo Manuel Stamatos

Diana Suguichi