Feet on the Ground: How to approach Malnutrition and poverty in our California Schools.

We are dealing with a sociological issue pertaining to school meals. We are embarking on accountability for quality control in our California school lunches. For this is one way to fight the war on poverty and eliminate the culture of poverty. Malnutrition is a topic to be proactive about instead of reactive because the issue at hand deals with how we are measuring what is not only healthy for children but also how can we can help them adopt healthier habits at home. There is research dealing with how to measure if students are eating healthier at school. But what about the meals at home? This sociological issue is one that everyone can participate in because we all have children or know people with children.

Michelle Obama has started the “ Let’s Move!” campaign which helps with improving the diet and lifestyles of our children and Americans through healthy food education and daily exercise. But as you can see through the video’s evaluation, has the campaign made any significant improvements on the lives of Americans. That is why it is important to carry on this research.

The focus is on California school meals but the research is meant to be passed on and is highly encouraged to enlighten other states as well. My concerns are aimed at schools near low income neighborhoods because I feel this information will help them the most. Fighting poverty takes more than throwing money at a situation, although it would help immensely. There is an old proverb I heard growing up which states that it takes a whole community to raise a child. I take this to heart because it holds true when one talks about a contribution towards children’s health. All the things in and out the home of the child may have a profound impact that shapes the way the child is seen and perceives the world.

Comparative studies help with the development of stronger approaches towards eliminating poverty and the culture behind it. We know about Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 965 regulating the fats, sugars and calories at school but what about regulations outside of schools. We found some places all around California with different strategies towards combating malnutrition and poverty.

2 Breakfasts May Be Better Than None For School Kids

By Tracie McMillan
NPR MARCH 19, 2016

https://medium.com/r/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fww2.kqed.org%2Fstateofhealth%2Ftag%2Fschool-lunch%2F

In Northern California, research behind incorporating a garden in the school curriculum shows a promising future because it teaches the children and adults about nutrition. It is a very engaging way to teach the community about healthy habits. There are cities such as Berkeley, California that have imposed a tax on sugary drinks deterring sales and encouraging healthy alternatives.

California Farm to School Network

Linking farmers, schools, distributors, youth, and allies across California!

In Southern California, research shows how certain neighborhood stores orientate themselves around ethnic communities to serve the food that reminds them of their country of origin. if there was a way to collaborate these two ideas into a coherent plan towards public policy, that would impact the everyone’s lives. Farmers would benefit from there crops, local stores would have a diverse market and schools wont rely on frozen packaged meals for children.

We see that there are many political implications but this will help with healthy debates because it pertains to our children directly. People of the community can come together and agree on ordinances to put in more gardens or have a nutrition class for the young children to influence their healthy decision making.

That is dealing with the sociological issue of childhood poverty and malnutrition. We have the knowledge for combating poverty and malnutrition, now is the time to apply this knowledge into something tangible. We encourage others to input their perspectives and strategies towards this issue. That way we are making an effort on a local, national and global level.