<p>Board of Education: My name is Jacob , and I am currently a junior at Madison West High School. I was raised by a single mom, who struggled to find time to make homemade lunch and dinner for me while also supporting us. At school I ate what was served everyday--hamburgers, fried chicken, french fries, and every other combination of fried, processed food. As time progressed, my stomach grew, along with the taunts of other students. This was not due to a lack of exercise; the cheap, cholesterol, fat packed foods that the school served to me everyday was slowly ruining my health. When I began high school I joined wrestling, a sport where one has to be at their physical peak in order to perform. I learned about the kinds of food that I had to eat in order to improve my health and my physique--real, homemade, simple food. Since my mom did not have time to cook for me, I made lunches for myself. All it took was waking up five minutes early in order to throw together spinach, grilled chicken, and delicious vegetables. Combined with dedication to my sport, three years later I am in the best physical shape of my life. As I look around the cafeteria today, I am disgusted with what the school serves. How is the future of America supposed to prosper when in the past 30 years obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%. Better nutrition at school will lead to better nutrition at home. I am not asking the school to force feed students salad; I am asking for real, honest food. Please join me in my fight for improved nutrition at the schools; it will make a world of difference to our generation, as well as future generations.</p>
<p>Eh, I don’t get why anyone over perhaps 8 can’t put a few fruits and veggies in a bag, and throw in PB&J every once in a while. Personal responsibility FTW.</p>
<p>On a more serious note, concerted effort and a sense of public responsibility are needed to reduce obesity in the US. So, I do support your letter.</p>
<p>It’s good.</p>
<p>I think what you need to do, however, is attack it on other fronts. People have been complaining about health for years, they’re probably not going to change for one kid.</p>
<p>See if you can dig up school budgets, etc. because the reason they serve this crap is usually because of money. If you can find some alternative that is healthier and either more economical or costs only minimally more, you can make your case significantly stronger.</p>
<p>You also need to get the support of a wider range of people. Schools rarely change for one kid’s letter.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I hope that political activism gets you into a good college!</p>
<p>A reformatory type school in Appleton, Wisconsin uses only organic, fresh lunches provided by a special service. You know what they found, too? Not only is it cheaper, I believe, but the student’s behaviors improve so much! That’d be good to find more about 
See if it fits the budget.</p>
<p>Millancad–I wish I had taken that responsibility as a kid. I never thought that it was my responsibility to feed myself, and I want to change the attitude of kids who think like I used too</p>
<p>I know that others will support my cause, as I have talked about this with many of my friends. I am waiting for Senator Feingold’s response and will see what kind of support I will need</p>
<p>
</p>
<ol>
<li>can’t afford fruit over less expensive but more unhealthy foods</li>
<li>no one has taught them about foods</li>
<li>irresponsible parents</li>
<li>they are only 8…</li>
</ol>
<p>I’m sure there are more reasons.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>-_- You just got that from Super Size Me.</p>
<p>I can’t believe you’re asking for healthy school lunch :p</p>
<p>We now have these “wheat bread pizza” at our school after someone must have suggested that the school should offer “healthier” meals and everything. They are, unfortunately, kind of disgusting. We even had a petition one year with literally hundreds of signitures aimed to remove this “healthy” wheat bread pizza from the menu, but for some reason it’s still there…</p>
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<p>In general response to your protestations, did you miss my “on a more serious note” section? I know what’s necessary to reduce obesity, and support movements toward that reality.</p>
<p>4: Legit? Most kids in my classes made their own lunches at that age. I mean, it’s not too hard to put carrots in a bag. They’re in third grade; they do harder stuff than that at school. But, whatever. How about 10?
1: Many of the parents who believe they cannot afford fruit/veggies also shop at small inner city corner stores rather than large super markets. Prices here are way higher. This is an area where I’m a strong proponent of reform, but I don’t know if it’s possible without serious government subsidization.
2: Studies (which I cannot frigging find right now, so feel free to post one that says I’m wrong. Will probs look toms) show that the majority of young children know that apples and exercise are good for them and that cake is not. I’m using litotes here, but you get what I mean. People are aware, they’re just complacent. Also, parents never believe that their own children are overweight.
3: Oops, already addressed that a little in the last one. Mostly a result of parents inability to believe they have overweight kids. I’m with you on this one.</p>
<p>I’m of the belief that once reform happens at school, kids will become educated and start to tell their parents. The parents will hopefully start to make healthy choices at home, and we can have a healthier society. </p>
<p>Obviously it doesn’t work like this, but the main point is that health in school leads to health in the home</p>
<p>^^I’m just saying…there are reasons beyond laziness, but I see your points. Yeah, I suppose 8 is old enough, I don’t know…</p>
<p>Oh, and I legit skipped over “a more serious note.” Whoops. I feel like a jerk. SORRY! :)</p>
<p>^
T_T cries river of tears I was sort of like, “Ouch. I was being the me who says “legit” in that part. You can’t listen to her!”</p>
<p>^I am sort of confused now…</p>
<p>Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution ring a bell?</p>
<p>Lol, I was considering doing this before Jamie Oliver’s show, but he really inspired me to finally sit down and write the letter.</p>
<p>^^Yeah, I thought of the show immediately.</p>
<p>I’m gonna watch the 1st 3 episodes before I go to bed, I forgot to.</p>
<p>Great job. I really hope you can get support behind this, the youth of this country deserve a better lunch program</p>
<p>Alice, the lunch lady, is too formidable for Jamie to conquer.
Lunch ladies are a force to be reckoned with everywhere.</p>