Comments for Chef Ann Cooper : Renegade Lunch Lady

Comment on School Food Policy by Fresh Voices for Fresh Choices Complete! « Leena Eats

Fresh Voices for Fresh Choices Complete! « Leena Eats — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:37:13 +0000

[...] (who also double posted about us at her personal site, The Green Mama) and Laurene. Chef Ann from Lunch Lessons outlined specific changes she felt needed to happen for school lunches. Susan over at Food Blogga [...]

Comment on Where’s the Real Beef? In Portland Schools! by Carrie Oliver

Carrie Oliver — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:22:05 +0000

As a huge fan of grass-fed beef (and getting fresh food into our school systems and people’s homes), I guess I’m a little confused. The original study was not a comparison between grass-fed and conventional it was between a local grain-fed beef and conventional grain-fed beef. Did Cascade Natural (SP Provisions) since launch a grass-fed/finished line of beef?

Comment on Chef Ann Cooper asks USDA, “Brother, Can You Spare More Than A Dime?” by #ThingsWeWantBack « AllergyKids Blog

#ThingsWeWantBack « AllergyKids Blog — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:52:09 +0000

[...] we can restore the health of our children, leveraging our collective talents to improve our school lunch programs, our food systems and the health of our families…one child, one parent, one bite at a [...]

Comment on Jill Richardson on my visit to San Diego: by Jody McKinney

Jody McKinney — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:33:09 +0000

What a great two days with Chef Ann, Albert Einstein Charter School, San Diego City Schools, Local Farmers, Whole Foods, Slow Food Urban San Diego, 12 local chefs and Alcemy Restaurant!!
A special thanks to Terry who wrote the winning grant!! Now San Diego must keep the healthy school food ball rolling!!

Comment on Ed Bruske on Michelle Obama’s Obesity Campaign by Chris Draffin

Chris Draffin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:51:01 +0000

i would like to join forces with First Lady Michelle Obama in pursuing more USDA and Federal funds to improve the quality of our meals we serve with a budget that is reasonable. We are talking about NO MONEY to buy these super suggestions….just let one school be a model school with funds available for better products. WE DO THE BEST WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE MADAM!!!

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Principles of Edible Education from the Edible Schoolyard Garden - Earthprints-Step Lightly

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:55:40 +0000

[...] The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs (chefann.com) [...]

Comment on Unhealthy School Lunch by Snow reading…… « UVa Community Garden

Snow reading…… « UVa Community Garden — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:54:02 +0000

[...] Chef Ann Cooper Blog – all about public school lunch from “the renegade lunch lady” [...]

Comment on Dear Mr. President from The Grist by Farm for America? « The Politics of Food

Farm for America? « The Politics of Food — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:58:55 +0000

[...] America — there is not — I found various proposals for this idea in recent years. For example, Anne Lappe’s proposal for a Food Corps. I will definitely ask about this on [...]

Comment on Obama’s Budget & School Food by EcoMeme: Healthy Food Gets a Budget Boost | Health and Fitness

EcoMeme: Healthy Food Gets a Budget Boost | Health and Fitness — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:37:35 +0000

[...] at what this really means and perhaps rub the shine off of this offered apple.” – A Chef Ann blog post, by “renegade lunch lady” Ann Cooper, criticizing the president’s FY2011 [...]

Comment on Schools & Sugar & Our Children by bev

bev — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:03:37 +0000

Thanks, Ann, for speaking out about high sugar school lunches!! I was horrified about them in The Bay Area, CA and now I’m horrified about the ones in Lee’s Summit, MO

PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS extremely informational YOUTUBE VIDEO BY DR. LUSTIG OF UCSF ABOUT THE DANGERS OF INGESTING CORN SYRUP/HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP/HCFS, THE FAULTY STUDY BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOOD PYRAMID, THE TWO TYPES OF LDL (NOT JUST ONE LDL) – ONE’S GOOD, ONE’S BAD & WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR TRIGLYCERIDE LEVEL IF YOUR BAD LDL IS ELEVATED, ETC. DR. LUSTIG IS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY TO A LAY PERSON (ME)AS WELL AS TO A STANFORD MASTERS EE GRAD (A RELATIVE WHO TYPICALLY BALKS AT ANY DISCUSSION RE: DANGERS OF HCFS/SUGAR/ASPARTAME…) DR. LUSTIG IS AN AMAZING TEACHER!

CLICK ON THE MERCOLA LINK BELOW, AND WHEN THE 1ST SCREEN COMES UP, YOU’LL SEE THE YOUTUBE VIDEO OF DR. LUSTIG’S PRESENTATION THAT YOU CAN THEN CLICK ON. DR. MERCOLA ALSO HAS SOME GOOD POINTS, BUT WATCH DR. LUSTIG’S VIDEO FIRST.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/26/Sugar-May-Be-Bad-But-This-Sweetener-Is-Far-More-Deadly-Part-2.aspx

Comment on Obama’s Budget & School Food by EcoMeme: Healthy Food Gets a Budget Boost | EcoSalon

EcoMeme: Healthy Food Gets a Budget Boost | EcoSalon — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:59:56 +0000

[...] at what this really means and perhaps rub the shine off of this offered apple.” – A Chef Ann blog post, by “renegade lunch lady” Ann Cooper, criticizing the president’s FY2011 [...]

Comment on Obama’s Budget & School Food by Daniela Kunz

Daniela Kunz — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:29:01 +0000

O.k. – just saw further up the share icon…sorry!
Great article! Love it! Thanks for your tireless work in all Ann!!!

Comment on Obama’s Budget & School Food by Daniela Kunz

Daniela Kunz — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:28:11 +0000

Awesome Ann! I would like to share this on my wall too, but did not see a “share” button. Can I copy and paste your article?
Thanks again!

Comment on Healthy School Lunch: The Cure for Our Health Care Woes by Chef Ann Cooper : Renegade Lunch Lady » Obama’s Budget & School Food

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:22:20 +0000

[...] previously wrote about the relationship between our health care woes and school lunch and how we truly need to equate the unhealthy food we [...]

Comment on Chef Ann on Metro Farm Radio by Digital Scales

Digital Scales — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:19:10 +0000

I really enjoyed listening to this podcast.. My brother is a big fan of Chef Ann and sent me this article. It was lovely!
-Sylvia

Comment on Healthy School Lunch: The Cure for Our Health Care Woes by Chef Ann Cooper : Renegade Lunch Lady » Child Nutrition Reauthorization == Shovel Ready Stimulus Funding

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:56:30 +0000

[...] all of that isn’t enough benefit, then there’s the food itself. If we, as Beth Collins and I wrote in an article a few months back, put a priority on fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and whole grains regionally [...]

Comment on Berkeley School Food a Sustainable Model! by Andrea Taylor

Andrea Taylor — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:20:31 +0000

What is the chance of changing the National School lunch policy? What are the hindrances, and what needs to happen? We are eager to change our program and policy, but unable to see how. Thanks Beebo, hope to talk with you in person..

Comment on MUST READ: Antibiotics & Our Food Supply by More Good News From the Cattle Industry

More Good News From the Cattle Industry — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:12:54 +0000

[...] MUST READ: Antibiotics & Our Food Supply (chefann.com) [...]

Comment on GMOs & Pesticides by Is it too late? | Rebel With a Fork

Is it too late? | Rebel With a Fork — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:54:28 +0000

[...] GMOs & Pesticides (chefann.com) Share and Enjoy: [...]

Comment on Healthy School Food by Healthy Diets for Kids with Special Needs | Healthy Diet for Athletes, healthy foods

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:20:02 +0000

[...] Healthy School Food [...]

Comment on A Great Response to Atlantic Article! by Catherine Smile

Catherine Smile — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:33:20 +0000

I find your comments very hateful, racist, extremely confused & really stupid.

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by “Flanagan made me choke on my chard” – Berkeleyside

“Flanagan made me choke on my chard” – Berkeleyside — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:03:44 +0000

[...] check out the self-styled Renegade Lunch Lady, Ann Cooper on her blog. The Atlantic even gave their own Corby Kummer a chance to refute much of Flanagan’s [...]

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:14:50 +0000

Thank you for this eloquent and personal defense of school garden programs! I was likewise outraged by the Flanagan piece and appreciate your perspective based on years of work in this specific area. Brava!

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Chef Ann Cooper : Renegade Lunch Lady » Edible Education: It Really Does Make Sense!

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:41:22 +0000

[...] check out the self-styled Renegade Lunch Lady, Ann Cooper on her blog. The Atlantic even gave their own Corby Kummer a chance to refute much of Flanagan’s [...]

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Cultivating Controversy: In Defense of an Edible Education « Lettuce Eat Kale

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:23:27 +0000

[...] check out the self-styled Renegade Lunch Lady, Ann Cooper on her blog. The Atlantic even gave their own Corby Kummer a chance to refute much of [...]

Comment on Making School Lunch Part of Our Health Care Debate! by Bohemian Life » Blog Archive » Unhealthy Lunch… Unhealthy Child

Bohemian Life » Blog Archive » Unhealthy Lunch… Unhealthy Child — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:35:13 +0000

[...] Making School Lunch Part of Our Health Care Debate! (chefann.com) [...]

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by wendy levy

wendy levy — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:51:32 +0000

Hope you’ve seen Andrew Leonard’s great article in salon.com:
http://www.salon.com/tech/htww/2010/01/14/death_to_the_public_school_vegetable_garden/

Flanagan is out of her mind.

Comment on Berkeley School Food a Sustainable Model! by Daniela Kunz

Daniela Kunz — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:27:11 +0000

I love this success story!!!!

Comment on Berkeley School Food a Sustainable Model! by Frank Lin

Frank Lin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:52:06 +0000

What is the free & reduced % for BUSD? What is the participation % for lunch? What is the % of free and reduced students who eat lunch?
Lastly does BUSD also serve breakfast?
Great job!

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Suzie Boss

Suzie Boss — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:51:24 +0000

There’s so much to take issue with in Flanagan’s piece, it’s hard to know where to begin. But thanks for sharing your considerable insights. My take on her faulty logic, along with some additional school gardening resources, in this post: http://reinventingpbl.blogspot.com/2010/01/dirt-on-school-gardens.html

Comment on A Great Response to Atlantic Article! by Daniela Kunz

Daniela Kunz — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:13:08 +0000

Love the response!

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Daniela Kunz

Daniela Kunz — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:42:50 +0000

Thank you Ann! You definitely have put into words what I feel deep inside too about that article! Wish I was more articulate and I would have replied to that article too.

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Victoria Tatum

Victoria Tatum — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:04:27 +0000

I am grateful for that New Yorker article about Ann Cooper I read some years back that launched me in a positive direction, and I’m honored to have visited the Edible Schoolyard and Ann Copper’s kitchen when she was still at the helm in Berkeley.
Thanks, Ann, for all your efforts toward the health of our students.

Comment on School Food Revolution by Teri Brudnak

Teri Brudnak — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:02:53 +0000

I was reading your article and saw the name of our school district.
They may have removed soda from the vending machines but the school menu is gross. I know–I work at Corona del Mar HS. It consists of govt. meat, fried everything and sugar. No salad, very, very few veggies. It is truly a scandal.
Last year, they even took away any food service for the teachers.
I am convinced they can change. Even adding a healthy lentil soup would make a difference to these kids.

Comment on A Great Response to Atlantic Article! by Victoria Tatum

Victoria Tatum — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:05:56 +0000

Bravo. I especially love the part about the urban agricultural movement.

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by The Evils of School Gardens | DC Food For All

The Evils of School Gardens | DC Food For All — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:13:52 +0000

[...] Reactions to the Atlantic piece are pouring in. Read here, here and here. [...]

Comment on Smarter School Lunches from Yes Magazine by Best Dog Breed for Children -What Is it? | Home Alone Critter Care … | Blog Like A Dog

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:57:36 +0000

[...] Chef Ann Cooper : Renegade Lunch Lady » Smarter School Lunches … [...]

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by melissa davis

melissa davis — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:02:45 +0000

Thank you!! I read the article as well and commented on how wrong the author was. Love that so many people are standing up to show their support of school gardens.

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Laurie Cicotello

Laurie Cicotello — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:23:41 +0000

After watching “SuperSize Me” a few years back, I was struck by the idea of school gardening. Then I went to Eagle Rock School in Estes Park, Colorado and saw firsthand the impact eating healthy had on students.

This is a program that every school district must use. Frustrating is how many schools “teach to the test,” and provide no applicable, hands on modeling for students, which would actually help many of them to … do better on a test than rote learning.

Students need this style of education!

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Jess @OpenlyBalanced

Jess @OpenlyBalanced — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:18:11 +0000

What an absolutely appalling article from The Atlantic. I cannot believe they (anyone) would publish something like that. The author says, “American kids are fatter and sicker than ever.” How does she blatantly miss the fact that school gardening programs do much to address those problems, not to mention the basic skills that such programs teach.

Her focus on state exams is equally absurd. Almost any teacher will tell you that state exams are a joke, and that real education suffers when you’re forced to design a curriculum that maximizes standardized state test scores.

Argh!

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Liz McLellan

Liz McLellan — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:46:27 +0000

When a conservative plants a garden, cans peaches or bakes bread it is a sign of wise economy and good living. When a liberal does the same thing it is a sign of their elitist disconnect with ‘real people’ and/or their Maoist ideologue re-educationist tendencies…WHAT a surprise!

I am so disappointed with The Atlantic for publishing this crap.

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Bob Ewing

Bob Ewing — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:45:03 +0000

Thanks for bringing this poorly researched article to my attention. I managed to read it all, how can someone allegedly qualified to write and do research,write such drivel?

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Holly

Holly — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:10:19 +0000

Perhaps the author was not aware that many scientists start out as gardeners.

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Annie B. Copps

Annie B. Copps — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:26:59 +0000

GOOOO Ann and brava! Shame on the Atlantic for wasting the ink and killing trees to publish such inflammatory shite.

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by The Evils Of School Gardens | The Slow Cook

The Evils Of School Gardens | The Slow Cook — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:13:17 +0000

[...] Reactions to the Atlantic piece are pouring in. Read here, here and here. [...]

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:07:07 +0000

I and many others had the same reaction to that piece in the Atlantic.

http://www.theslowcook.com/2010/01/12/the-evils-of-school-gardens/

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by Cari R.

Cari R. — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:40:48 +0000

Contrary to what Ms. Flanagan implied in her article, children can learn a great deal in the garden, and it will not necessarily deprive them of the vital knowledge and skills they need to graduate from high school. I have seen children of various backgrounds come together to study soil, plant seeds, measure things like water, nutrient and bacteria levels in the soil, measure and record growth of plants, extrapolate the potential yield of their crops (hmmm, math skills? language skills? working as a group?). The garden is very much a labratory at our public school (K-8th grade. I have observed some of the shyest kids overcome their language barrier both in the garden and in the art room, and it gives them the confidence to achieve more academically. Their pride in what they accomplish through hands-on experience shines through and the skills they acquire through that experience can be applied to other areas of learning with great success. The purpose of these school gardens is to complement the academic environment, the support it, not the other way around. Anyone who discounts the potential benefit from this living labratory isn’t really seeing it. Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day; teach him how to fish and he’ll eat forever.

Comment on The Atlantic Attacks School Garden Programs by flavorista

flavorista — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:34:03 +0000

Excellent points Ann. I have not read the article but have that issue. It is rather surprising that they published something that bad!

Comment on Changing School Food Can Be Hard Work by A McCay

A McCay — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:18:02 +0000

Why not??? and Never say Never

Comment on Changing School Food Can Be Hard Work by Cari R.

Cari R. — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:30:52 +0000

As a parent, I totally agree with the comment made by Jean Dean on 1/11/10. I am heading a wellness committee in our school district in the SF Bay Area of California, and I can tell you we are running into the same dilemma with regards to lost revenue being the result of experimentation. But we mustn’t give up! School gardens are cropping up all over, and at my children’s school the gardens have been in place for long enough now that there is a real system to it. The students plant, record data, harvest and prepare the food grown in their gardens, and as a result they (THE STUDENTS!!) are starting to ask the question “why do we only get food this fresh once every couple of months or so when there’s a harvest? Why can’t we have this kind of food every day for lunch?” And my answer to them has been “we’re working on it!”
But it absolutely takes a partnership with the administrators, legislators, parents, teachers, and oh yes! the students. One other thing we’ve been doing for over a year with some of our classes (I wish it was all of them, but again it comes down to funding, so “we’re working on it”) is a program called Harvest of the Month (www.harvestofthemonth.org). Once a month, I go into the classroom and discuss a different fruit or vegetable with the students, where it comes from, where it is grown today, get them to brainstorm about why they think it’s nutritious, and then they get to taste. Let me tell you, if we have to reschedule that one, the kids are asking “when is it, when do we get to do Harvest of the Month?!” Other parents are telling me that their child is asking for kiwi at the store, and butternut squash – things that are slightly exotic for a lot of families, which the kids really liked and want to eat again.
Make it fun, keep it simple, and they can’t help but enjoy it.
Don’t lose hope

Comment on Healthy Food for ALL Children by Michelle Puckett

Michelle Puckett — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:30:46 +0000

As a healthy alternative lunch we have begun providing a small yogurt with a 1 oz. low fat mozzarella string cheese and whole grain MJM bears…child can also select milk, fruit and vegetable…served 400 students yesterday, pizza on the menu and we served 56 of the yogurt combo…we have just begun this and are very excited about the positive response…MP

Comment on “Got Ethics” by Pat

Pat — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:05:01 +0000

Gina,
Have you watched the new movie “Food Inc.”. The movie is another eye opener.

Comment on Changing School Food Can Be Hard Work by Jean Dean

Jean Dean — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:39:43 +0000

Thank you so much for this encouraging article. As food service managers, we constantly strive to serve nutritious meals that students will eat, parents will purchase and our budget can afford. If we aren’t serving foods that parents think we should, they don’t participate which hurts financially. If we serve these great foods that are good for students and the students don’t like them, they won’t participate and that will again hurt us financially. Parents often want us to be their “Saviour” in this obesity dilemma but they don’t want to step up to the plate and serve these “good for you” foods at home. Until we get the family back together to eat meals cooked at home and not just the drive-thru’s at fast food places, we are fighting a losing battle. Students set the menu a lot of time because we have to serve what they will purchase. We would love to serve all whole-grains, organic foods, fresh local fruit every day but we simply cannot afford it. In our district we limit the amount of processed foods – we are still serving roast turkey and meatloaf but the parents still complain. I had a parent recently comment that she wanted us to serve better food – she could serve burritos, chicken nuggets and hot dogs at home!! Another item to consider is that because we are so finacially strapped, we use USDA commodities. The burritos and tater tots we serve come from the USDA. We can’t do without the commodities which we purchase at a much reduced price. Childhood obesity is not just one group’s responsibility. The parents who are willing to be active participants in our food service program every day are the parents that I want to work with to make our menus healthy. If we had more participation from all the students in our district it would greatly impact our budget. I resent having parents who don’t purchase school meals degrade school lunch programs. We all have to work together to make an impact on this generation – the federal government, parents and food service programs.

Comment on “Got Ethics” by Gina Hartman

Gina Hartman — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:24:55 +0000

My 23-yr-old health-obsessed son showed me the “Super-Size Me” video the other day. It hit home. So much so tears on in my eyes right now. I am ashamed that I have done this to myself and disgusted that I have allowed nothing but junk into my children’s little bodies. Now it is up to me to introduce change to them. It is so amazingly difficult because even when I think I am buying something fresh and healthy it is still filled with chemicals and preservatives and things I’m not even aware of. I am sickened when I think of the meals my children eat at school. The “salad” is a little pouch of pre-packaged iceberg lettuce – no nutritional value. Their meals look like they are being fed on a spaceship like in the movie “WALLIE.” Everything is prepackaged with preservatives, sugar, fake color, etc. I am in awe that as an intelligent woman I have been so oblivious to what’s going on in our world. The son who introduced me to this issue is a Conspiracy Theorist and I have long ignored his rants about pesticides, etc. He has opened my mind and I can no longer ignore this issue. Both my 10-yr-old daughter and I are obese. I have done this to her. I thought she was the biggest girl in her class. She’s not! She is one of the smallest!! They are huge! I’ve got to do something. This is a pretty well-to-do school. They keep doing fundraisers for science stuff – we need to raise funds to implement a new lunch program. I’m scared. I don’t know where to start. I guess a PTO meeting might be a place to start.

Comment on Changing School Food Can Be Hard Work by Jackie Piemonte

Jackie Piemonte — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:51:05 +0000

I applaud the parents who are attempting to increase awareness about the dangerous state of food being served to children in schools. Children also like lollipops and ice cream, should we really be using that as a criteria for what they are served. Academic institutions have a responsibility to set a higher standard. When enough food managers and parents push back and demand better real food, not the fake food that is destroying our childrens health, THEN things will change. The menu above is a recipe for type 2 diabetes and the beginnings of heart disease. Are we really that compartmentalized in our thinking that we have not figured out the connection yet? Studies show that when children are exposed to new foods thru hands-on exposure, like cooking lessons in the classroom , etc, that their acceptance of that food increases dramatically. Lentils, beans, and frozen veggies are commodities that can be cheaply obtained thru the gov’t surplus pgm (the program that OUR tax dollars pays for already!!).

Comment on Healthy School Lunch: The Cure for Our Health Care Woes by Carlos

Carlos — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:05:02 +0000

$260 billion dollars a year on obesity and diabetes? That is shocking. I wonder why we don’t invest more in health education more? I come from a hispanic family and it is pretty much a given that once you hit 40 you are going to get type II diabetes. It’s so sad, I wish more people would take the time to educate people when they are young and can largely prevent these sicknesses just be making healthy diet decisions.

Comment on Healthy School Lunch: The Cure for Our Health Care Woes by Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:26:59 +0000

I am encouraged that you continue to emphasize “clean protein” as a primary component of a good diet, but I despair over the collective hysteria toward fat. The science and my personal experience shows that our biggest enemy is carbohydrates–especially refined carbohydrates–which have become the foundation of the federal food pyramid. Kids would be much better off with more “clean fat,” especially those in wholesome dairy products and others rich in omega-3s. It poses a real dilemma, since these products–such as grassfed meats, wild-caught fish and pastured chicken–are so much more expensive. If it were up to me, I’d dispense with most of the grain products altogether, but the kids have to get calories from somewhere.

Comment on Healthy School Lunch: The Cure for Our Health Care Woes by Terri Wayne

Terri Wayne — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:12:12 +0000

Hi Ann and Beth,
Sign me up to help on Lunch Box Project. I’m a marketing communications art director working for Oregon Fruit Products Co. My time and brain are yours on weekends and evenings. Let
me know how I can help.
Terri Wayne

Comment on Tom Philpott & The Grist on School Lunch by Changing the Face of School Lunches – There's Still a Lot of Work to Do | Agriculture Society

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:45:18 +0000

[...] more information on school lunch news, visit Chef Ann Cooper’s site, The Sustainable Table, and Two Angry [...]

Comment on Dairy Groups Fight To Keep Chocolate Milk On Menu by “Healthy Schools”: Where’s the Money? | DC Food For All

“Healthy Schools”: Where’s the Money? | DC Food For All — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:10:03 +0000

[...] more than 35 percent sugar by weight, but continue to allow flavored milks some are now calling “sodas in drag,” as well as 100 percent fuit juices that are dense with sugar by virtue of the fructose they [...]

Comment on U.S. Schools’ War Against Chocolate Milk by Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:23:08 +0000

I’m all for getting sugar out of milk–and putting the fat back in.

Comment on The Chocolate Milk Debate Goes On! by Beth O.

Beth O. — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:52:43 +0000

Arkansas pulled the chocolate milk from it’s schools this year, but since my son has a medical condition that requires extra calories we were able to get the chocolate milk brought in for him. All it required was a letter from his doctor and nutritionist and our lunch lady happily ordered it.

So, if it is important that your child has those extra calories, or won’t drink anything but chocolate milk and needs the nutritients, talk to your doctor and your lunch staff. They will be more than happy to make sure your precious one gets what they need.

Comment on USDA backs rewarding schools serving healthy food by The USDA Food Pyramid: Is It Making Us Fat?

The USDA Food Pyramid: Is It Making Us Fat? — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:54:39 +0000

[...] USDA backs rewarding schools serving healthy food (chefann.com) [...]

Comment on The Chocolate Milk Debate Goes On! by Heidi from Savory Tv

Heidi from Savory Tv — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:36:24 +0000

Good job Chef Anne! The recent studies linking HFCS to metabolic syndrome are frightening.

I just discovered your blog today, would love to have you guest post on Savory Tv, if you have the time!

Keep up the wonderful work.

Heidi

Comment on The Chocolate Milk Debate Goes On! by Anthony Bourdain – The French Laundry Experience (edited for youtube) | Super Hot Topics

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:27:00 +0000

[...] Chef Ann Cooper : Renegade Lunch Lady » The Chocolate Milk Debate … [...]

Comment on Dairy Groups Fight To Keep Chocolate Milk On Menu by “Healthy Schools”: Where’s The Money? | The Slow Cook

“Healthy Schools”: Where’s The Money? | The Slow Cook — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:02:26 +0000

Comment on Boulder CO by David Yuhas

David Yuhas — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:45:57 +0000

Dear Ann,

I saw your commentary on Channel 22 last night & was much impressed.

I may be a bit radical for your good self…but if you have the time why not check out some of my postings on the Jesse Ventura Forum site (General Politics)

I am currently working on getting a half-million start up this Spring & another half-million in September (depending) for 2315 County Seats in 27 States to set up Community Plantations of 160 Acres that would employ 200 citizens as part of the Job Stimulus Plan.

Check it out…& good luck!

Best regards, David Yuhas

Comment on Dairy Groups Fight To Keep Chocolate Milk On Menu by The Great Chocolate Milk Debate « Georgia Natural Mom

The Great Chocolate Milk Debate « Georgia Natural Mom — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:48:19 +0000

[...] milk from their lunchrooms out of concern for its sugar and caloric content. Ann Cooper, the “Renegade Lunch Lady”, calls it “soda in drag.” Fair enough, you might say…chocolate milk has almost as much [...]

Comment on Dairy Groups Fight To Keep Chocolate Milk On Menu by Does “Healthy Schools” Go Far Enough? | The Slow Cook

Does “Healthy Schools” Go Far Enough? | The Slow Cook — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:40:53 +0000

[...] milk from school lunchrooms. Chocolate, strawberry and other flavored milks are being called “soda in drag” because they contain only slightly less sugar than Coca-Cola. Natural fruit juices also would [...]

Comment on Dairy Groups Fight To Keep Chocolate Milk On Menu by What’s On Your Plate? Blog » Blog Archive » Chocolate Milk update

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:23:22 +0000

[...] Ann Cooper, the “renegade” lunch lady leading the fight against chocolate milk, has put NPR’s story about her up on her blog. Check it out, there’re some great little interviews with kids at [...]

Comment on “Got Ethics” by Kate Adamick & Ann Cooper by Steve Crawford

Steve Crawford — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:10:51 +0000

What a wake up call. My only experience with school lunch programs was as a student at a private HS in the 1960s. With the exception of prepackaged *white* milk and a single Coke machine, everything was always made from scratch by real cooks and quite delicious. This situation is appalling. I had no idea.

Comment on USA Today on School Lunch by What’s On Your Plate? Blog » Blog Archive » Link Buffet

What’s On Your Plate? Blog » Blog Archive » Link Buffet — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:11:05 +0000

[...] Us Today on School Lunch Chef Ann’s take on meat being served at our schools. [...]

Comment on USA Today on School Lunch by What’s On Your Plate? Blog » Blog Archive » E. Coli?

What’s On Your Plate? Blog » Blog Archive » E. Coli? — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:07:11 +0000

[...] Nate posted a blog about meat in the food system the other day. Chef Anne also had an interesting take on meat in our school lunches. Check out what they had to [...]

Comment on Denver Post on Chocolate Milk by What’s On Your Plate? Blog » Blog Archive » Link Buffet

What’s On Your Plate? Blog » Blog Archive » Link Buffet — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:19:04 +0000

[...] From the Denver Post: the great chocolate milk debate Many opinions in the Colorado public schools over what to serve for lunch [...]

Comment on In New York Schools, Whole Milk Is Cast From the Menu by Supermom101

Supermom101 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:27:30 +0000

EXACTLY! Doesn’t chocolate milk have more sugar than most candy bars? Since when do I need a science degree or a clinical study to tell me that eating a banana is better for my kid’s health than another mammal’s milk with added artificial growth hormones and high fructose corn syrup.

Wake up America! Take a look at your child’s school lunch menu…water is not offered as a beverage choice but four types of cow’s milk is! Wanna know why? Because the federal government sees no nutritional value in water. Wonder who funded that study?

Common sense is not so common. -Voltaire

Comment on OMG National Dairy Council Pushin Chocolate Milk!!!!!! by cassie

cassie — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:00:40 +0000

I am a student and i think there is no right to do this to my school we all get chocolate milk and if you take it away we will just bring in soda

Comment on Robyn O’Brien: 8 Steps to Save Food! by What’s On Your Plate? Blog » Blog Archive » Mmmm, Link Buffet 11/20/09

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:57:11 +0000

[...] 8 steps to save food: as easy as 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8: http://www.chefann.com/blog/archives/1649 [...]

Comment on School districts ban chocolate milk by Chef Tony Geraci

Chef Tony Geraci — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:09:14 +0000

You rock Chef!

Comment on School districts ban chocolate milk by Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:01:49 +0000

The sugar in chocolate milk is not insignificant at all if you believe that the typical diet exposes children to far too many refined carbohydrates and the insulin response triggered by all those carbs. We should be eliminating those kind of carbohydrates from the diet wherever possible. This is a good examply of really bad nutritional advice.

Comment on GMOs & Pesticides by steven

steven — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:02:35 +0000

Follow the money and you can generally figure out some
interesting details.
We all need to resist this trend and we can all do something. For me I feed all non-gmo grains to my poultry. For a lot of people it might be buying non-gmo products at your grocery store.

Comment on Senate Ag Committee on School Food by What’s On Your Plate? Blog » Blog Archive » Link Buffet November 18, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:13:42 +0000

[...] Senate Agricultural Committee on School Food A hearing was conducted to address the hunger and improve health in child nutrition programs; read a few quotes made by the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. [...]

Comment on Senate Ag Committee on School Food by Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:55:33 +0000

It’s just mind-boggling that with all the carbohydrate junk kids eat, the secretary of USDA and U.S. Senate are still fixated on the fat in milk. The fat in milk is GOOD!

Comment on Marion Nestle on Chocolate Milk – Thanks Marion! by Mary Payne Moran

Mary Payne Moran — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:11:06 +0000

Great ideas! Keep up the good work!

-Chef Mary Payne Moran

Comment on Great Blog on Chocolate Milk! by Nina

Nina — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:59:45 +0000

USDA requires two types of milk with different fat content not flavored vs unflavored. Other beverages compete with white milk so these should go along with the chocolate milk.

Comment on Marion Nestle on Chocolate Milk – Thanks Marion! by rebecca duffy

rebecca duffy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:54:10 +0000

thanks for this note. and yes, i would love to see colberts take on the dairy associations tactics. keep informing!

Comment on Great Blog on Chocolate Milk! by On Chocolate Milk: Is It Healthy? | Chocolate Is Healthy

On Chocolate Milk: Is It Healthy? | Chocolate Is Healthy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:53:27 +0000

[...] Chef Ann Cooper : Renegade Lunch Lady » Great Blog on Chocolate Milk!. [...]

Comment on OMG National Dairy Council Pushin Chocolate Milk!!!!!! by Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:57:09 +0000

I work in a lunch room and watch each day at least 100, 1% milk cartoons full of milk thrown away. This is the milk left to pick up when the flavored milk is gone. So it is true that children will pick flavored milk over regular milk. This is one issue I don’t see going away any time soon. Would be interested in the results of how “Flavored milk Fridays” work.

Comment on OMG National Dairy Council Pushin Chocolate Milk!!!!!! by Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:33:47 +0000

Chocolate milk is an abomination. How ironic that we want to eliminate the natural fat in milk, only to replace it with industrial-strength high-fructose corn syrup. The carbohydrates (sugar) in a small container of milk are truly frightening–28 grams in a snack-size box.

Comment on Oakland Teacher on School Lunch by Jennifer Burns-Pope

Jennifer Burns-Pope — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:36:06 +0000

Hi Gehry,
What a cool column! And oh can I relate to the menu offerings for the kids. That’s why we pack a lunch for our daughter every day, but she often turns her little nose up at that too. As a parent, it is agonizing to put together a nutritious lunch combo that will be consumed with as much vigor as the evil McKids meals. We do everything we can and keep junk to a minimum. I work with Kaiser Permanente that has an Educational Theater Program that goes into schools to teach kids about healthy eating and other habits. If it hasn’t made it to your school, you should look into booking them. They offer very cool scenarios with professional actors. I’m not sure if you’ve seen Food Inc. yet, but I wish they had a version of that film that kids could relate to!

Peace,

Jennifer

Comment on High Fructose Corn Syrup: Why We Shouldn’t Consume It!!! by Heather

Heather — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:36:53 +0000

Despite any kind of research to support one stance or the other why would you WANT to eat something that is processed to this extent? And more so, why would you want to pump your children full of it?!

Comment on High Fructose Corn Syrup: Why We Shouldn’t Consume It!!! by Dentist Pomona

Dentist Pomona — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:06:36 +0000

That was very informative. I think it is still best to use good and natural products in order to promote good health.

Comment on High Fructose Corn Syrup: Why We Shouldn’t Consume It!!! by Jesse

Jesse — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:33:44 +0000

HFCS is a safe ingredient that has been used for decades. The American Medical Association stated that, “Because the composition of high fructose corn syrup and sucrose are so similar, particularly on absorption by the body, it appears unlikely that high fructose corn syrup contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose.” ”According to the American Dietetic Association, “high fructose corn syrup…is nutritionally equivalent to sucrose. Once absorbed into the blood stream, the two sweeteners are indistinguishable.” So where did your research come from? The food and drug administration labels HFCS as “natural” because it contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients, just the natural grain, corn.

Comment on The Government Making Paperwork MORE Important Than Feeding Hungry Kids! by South County school district finally has a teacher contract « San Diego Bonita Community

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:42:05 +0000

[...] The Government Making Paperwork MORE Important Than Feeding Hungry Kids! [...]

Comment on Michael Pollan’s Rules to Eat By by Paleolithic Nutrition – How Our Diets Changed « Foodworks

Paleolithic Nutrition – How Our Diets Changed « Foodworks — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:22:46 +0000

[...] Michael Pollan’s Rules to Eat By (chefann.com) [...]

Comment on Feeding Kids or Counting Stuff – Which is More Important? by Scott Dawson

Scott Dawson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:49:44 +0000

Egregious, indeed! There’s so much to improve about the entire system, and this is a prime example. The focus needs to be on the kids and feeding them good, healthy food. How to best do that within the financial constraints placed on schools, I’m not sure. We’ve chosen to have our kids take lunch 4 days of every week, and they pick the one school lunch each week they’ll look most forward to. Gratefully, they don’t always pick “reverse day” – they’ve become acclimated to healthy options through the choices they get at home. Thankfully, there are no soda machines in our elementary school (!)

Comment on Are GMOs the Answer: I say NO! by waynechecker.net » Blog Archive » Leading Aussie brands commit to GE-free ingredients - green living at the grass roots

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:16:18 +0000

[...] Are GMOs the Answer: I say NO! (chefann.com) [...]

Comment on Where’s the Real Beef? In Portland Schools! by Kids Love Grass-Fed Beef | The Slow Cook

Kids Love Grass-Fed Beef | The Slow Cook — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:25:19 +0000

[...] Read the full story here. [...]

Comment on Institute of Medicine Study by Kathy Egawa

Kathy Egawa — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:09:23 +0000

I eat with a culturally diverse group of kindergartners every day in a large urban schools system. There are always fruits and vegetables available, but the vegetables in particular are so uninspired. Raw slices of zucchini. Mini carrots. I know kids would eat more if they were more appealing. I take apples and cut them up and kids will eat all that I offer.

And don’t get me started on the packaging waste. Container after container in the garbage, with one bite taken of the meal.

Comment on NYC Schools — Healthier Vending by wendy mikkelsen

wendy mikkelsen — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:34:30 +0000

Companies like Pepsi are pushers of junk food. They enable the obesity issue to continue in our young people. I am a Mom of 4 that started and ORGANIC, healthy vending company here in NY. I can tell you that only a company like Pepsi and Fritolay could buy the rights to continue the poisoning of our NYC school children. The products that these vendors are using are filled with chemicals, msg, and artificial sweeteners that are the very cause of the health problems in our young people. I can not believe the amount of cheers that are being given to NYC for continuing to stuff our children with junk disguised as healthy. Doesn’t anyone read the labels on these foods??? It seems that the only concern is for favorable financial incentives and NOT the health of our children. Shame on you for being part of the scam.

Comment on We Need a Junk Food Tax! by Ed Bruske

Ed Bruske — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:55:54 +0000

Here in the District of Columbia, the breakfast of champions is potato chips and soda. Usually consumed while walking to school.