School Debate

A local talk show host was overwhelmed with calls when he brought up the topic of breakfast being served at school. The thrust of his argument was not about the cost of the program (that was reserved for another day) – he was driven to talk about parental responsibility. The traditional parental role was to wake Little Tony up, get him dressed, feed him breakfast, pack his lunch and send him off to school. It seems to be changing with more and more governmental intervention provided on the basis that the parents are too stressed to handle parental responsibilities.

That debate is a political one best hammered out in another forum. What we need to focus on here is that mass feeding happens at schools. Many of the school systems are overwhelmed with the staffing necessary, the regulations to follow and the newness of the programs. The produce industry has lobbied extensively to have these meals full of fresh fruit and vegetable offerings. Bravo. Now it is our job to help fulfill the demand.

The debate is over. The meals are being served and we have a huge opportunity. It is time to be creative and present fantastic offerings to a whole new audience who will make fresh a part of their daily lives for years to come.