Dear Editor,
As I read the headline “Good Food in Schools”, I had different expectations than the story provided regarding the meeting on this topic organized in Kemptville. What the article highlighted was that professional stake holders had a one-day meeting in Kemptville to share information that energized them; and, they had “a delicious and fresh lunch from Catered Affairs..”
The participants in this “one-day event brought together stakeholders working on school food education and programs across Eastern Ontario”. The participants were “all excited to share their passion for building healthy and positive food environments”. My reaction: encouraging and what specifically?
The article continued: There was an exchange of information among the various “stakeholders”. And, one of the sharing highlights was “ student efforts partnering with the Food Bank to encourage more donations”.
My reaction: great, will this next paragraph describe what these stakeholders have organized to feed students who may not have had the food they needed to start their day, or did not have food to bring a lunch, but it seems not?
These stakeholders from across Eastern Ontario were sharing information and: “It was truly inspiring to hear what is already happening in our own communities when teachers and students are supported to produce, process and serve food in schools”. My reaction: well, next will be what these stakeholders organize on an ongoing basis re best practices, and ideas re the students coming to school hungry. but no mention of hungry students. Instead, I learned “connections were made that will continue beyond this event”. And ”Organizers were encouraged to continue hosting the Good Food in School Forum annually.”
My reaction overall was puzzlement. There are lots of initiatives and lots of people involved that seem admirable. But, can students who are hungry get at least one meal at school? How do students get on the program. I looked up Foodcore, but the programs I could find were aimed at the general community. My reaction: wonderful things are being accomplished and I wish the school programs providing school food programs had been highlighted.
If, for the participants, it was: “truly inspiring to hear what is already happening in our own communities when teachers and students are supported to produce, process and serve food in schools”, then perhaps some of those details would have been inspiring for the readers of the article to share the insights?
Congratulations to all who are working on such endeavours!
Nadia Gray
