Thanks to Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan, salad may soon be added to the list of government-enshrined responsibilities.
Yes, salad.
The Salad Bars in Schools Expansion Act, which was introduced by the Ohio congressman last week, aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption by school-age children. It would create a grant program to install salad bars in public schools across the nation.
This, the congressman says, would be the “easiest” and most “effective” way to meet the new nutrition standards of the USDA for schoolchildren. Instead of merely hoping that kids will pick up a pre-packaged salad and not chicken nuggets, a salad bar would give them the opportunity to load their plates with foods they enjoy — that is, assuming they enjoy eating salad. And assuming no food fights ensue.
There could be worse ideas. And unlike First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative, there are no strings attached. Schools would apply for grants. Those selected would be chosen on a “competitive basis,” with priority given to schools having “not less than 50 percent of the students [who] are eligible for free or reduced lunches,” schools in “food deserts,” or schools that “already provide nutrition education to students.”
Ryan’s bill says that, “no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.” But funds would have to come from somewhere. If the money is to come from existing programs, we should first determine whether a salad subsidy is really at the forefront of our nation’s agenda. Maybe we should try a pilot program first to see how kids react. If they flock to the salad bar, then we’ll know that it’s worth the investment.
If enacted, the program would have schools proselytize in favor of fruits and vegetables. Colorful fruits and veggies would be brought in to classrooms, and the teacher would cut them open, displaying their insides to the students. The kids would then participate in making a salad, and then eating it. The idea is that the brightly colored foods would “entice” kids and, as a result, children would be more inclined to eat healthier. At least they might ask for kiwis in the grocery store instead of Pop-Tarts.
A similar initiative to Ryan’s legislation is “Let’s Move Salad Bars 2 Schools,” supported by the Centers for Disease Control. It plays on the First Lady’s “Let’s Move,” initiative and has reached more than 4,000 schools and served 2 million children. Included are many children who qualify for free and reduced lunches, which means that healthier options would reach those prone to poorer nutrition.
However, not only did CNS News find that obesity has risen from 25.5 percent to 27.7 percent since 2008—implying that the First Lady’s initiative isn’t working—but many kids also (shockingly) don’t like “Let’s Move.”
Unfortunately, it’s not yet salad days for our nation’s nutritional habits.
Alexandra Seymour is an intern at The Weekly Standard.
