CSD Received a Whole Foods Salad Bar Grant Two Months Ago
Decatur Metro | March 30, 2011 | 10:31 amI admit that two months is more than a lifetime when it comes to fresh produce – aside from those durable winter squashes – but I think this story has a long enough shelf-life to still mention. From Decatur Farm-to-School’s website…
City Schools of Decatur received funding from the Great American Salad Bar Project for three new salad bars valued at $3000 each. The new portable salad bar kits will be installed at Glennwood Academy, Renfroe Middle School, and Decatur High School this semester. The middle and high schools introduced limited salad bars this fall, however the new equipment will allow these schools to offer full salad bars every day. Glenwood does not currently have a salad bar. “The new salad bars are a perfect fit for our Farm to School efforts: we can use them to introduce a variety of fresh and local produce,” says Allison Goodman, Director of School Nutrition. “Besides,” she adds, “students really enjoy customizing their salads.”
The Great American Salad Bar Project, an initiative of TheLunchbox.org and Whole Foods Market, aims to put a healthy salad bar in every school across America so all school kids may have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins, every school day.
Decatur Farm to School is a grassroots effort led by parents, teachers, school administrators, community members and organizations. Farm to School programs connect schools with local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, and providing health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime. Decatur Farm to School is now a branch of the Oakhurst Community Garden Project.
The Oakhurst Community Garden Project (OCGP) teaches environmental awareness through hands-on gardening and outdoor education programs. The OCGP engages students in projects that address real needs, both at the Garden and through outreach projects in our schools and community centers. The OCGP has been instrumental in helping create the outdoor garden environments at many of the schools in Decatur.
I wonder if the Glennwood salad bar will be transferred to 5th Ave.
h/t: Neighbor Newspapers
Are they going to have “Salad Police” to get the kids to eat it?
It will be interesting to see how many kids make the health choice. As a parent I want my high school boy to eat better. His response to the salad bar has been underwhelming, at best. You can lead the horse to water but you cannot make him drink.
My 6th grader, who has brought lunch from home every school day of her life until two months ago, absolutely loves the new salad bar at Renfroe. She piles it high everyday and even puts chicken on it (I was glad to hear she was still getting plenty of protein!). We are big fans here!
So Glennwood doesn’t have it yet. Anyone know why? Where would they put it? It will be a great addition.
There are only six weeks of school left and Glennwood will be a K-3 next year. There doesn’t seem much point in adding it now.