Good Food vs Bad Food: Getting Nutrition Education in Schools

Many people today advocate for better nutrition options in our communities. Films, books, organizations, even a national Food Day, all describe the problem of obesity and diabetes caused by poor diets. The food bank where I work has a Nutrition Education department that teaches hundreds of adults and kids each year about affordable and healthy food. And advocates do not shy away from pointing out that food purveyors like McDonalds promote "bad food," so much that people are influenced by the message and don't pursue healthy diets. It's clear that "good food" advocates are fighting an uphill battle as fast food operators spend millions of dollars to market their food. The attraction to unhealthy food is especially acute among school-age children, so it's a good thing that an organization like Food Day is promoting a message to kids about good food and diets, even if for a single day.

Food Day is "a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food" and they are sharing a school curriculum developed by Teachers College of Columbia University to promote healthy eating. Food Day will be celebrated this year on October 24, 2014

Organizers are encouraging individuals and groups to take action in their community by inviting educators to teach the curriculum on Food Day. Here's your chance to encourage a more healthy community.

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