Portsmouth parents: Our schools need better breakfasts
Last week I was invited to a Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) presentation at Portsmouth K-8 school. The HEAL program is run by Multnomah County and by all accounts is successful in this North Portland school. The main point of the presentation was that the school's teachers, principal and the County are teaching the tools these children need to be healthy and successful. The problem is, there is not enough access to healthy foods in the community and sometimes at school.
Five Portsmouth School and St. Johns Elementary mothers participated in a PSU research project called Photovoice. They took pictures around the neighborhood and around the school of things they felt were barriers to their children's success in eating and active living. After showing some of the pictures that displayed the food offered to school kids, they passed around the typical breakfast at Portsmouth School.
There was a breakfast "sandwich" that when warmed, left a grease-soaked napkin. There was also cinnamon rolls, bagels, sugary cereals and other things we'd regard as occasional treats.
The message from parents and teachers in attendance was for better breakfast for the kids. They applauded the lunch options - new vegetables, salads and other healthy meals - but wanted more options for the breakfast. I hope that the parents are successful in their efforts in lobbying for fresher breakfasts. If you want to help them, let us know! If you want more info on kids' breakfast, read this article.
Posted on March 28, 2008
Comments
(Note: Comments are the views of their authors, and no one else.)