Elementary School in Cali. Say’s “No” to Junkfood

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“More than 40% of Latino children in the U.S. are growing up overweight, that’s almost half of all Latino kids in the country, those kids are at risk of developing serious health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease,” said Marissa Ortega-Welch of Latino USA on a recent radio show.

In the mainly Latino populated school districts of Oakland, Cali. schools are taking healthier school foods a step further, banning junk food from school property.

Most schools across the U.S. are working on implementing the standards of healthier school lunches but many kids and or parents still opt for lunches from home, allowing junk food to be a part of school’s food environments.

In Esperanza Elementary (98% Latino) most of the school kids are under the free and reduced lunches, so many kids are not bringing any food into the school, helping to implement the new, “no junk food” policy.

Many school parties or sports events often offer students sweets, chips, and candies, but this school offers instead fruit, sandwiches, and turkey hot dogs.

Teachers say that the changes have helped the kids focus and help them return to learning after fun school parties.

The school’s Wellness Coordinator said that about 50% of the school kids are overweight, putting the kids at risk for many chronic diseases.

The principal of the school, Kathleen Arnold, said the no junk food rule has been a challenge at the school as some parents and staff feel that the kids should be allowed cultural foods like pan dulce.

However, the school is accepting the challenges by offering alternatives to help build a healthy food environment within and around the school.

Parents are offered nutrition classes, school farmers markets, and an onsite food pantry that gives away basic food staples. The kids are also learning about nutrition in classes and passing on that information to their parents.

Unfortunately, right near the school are food trucks and vendors that offer unhealthy foods. Many of the kids go there after school, but the good news is that kids are now eating healthier foods from the vendors, like corn and fruit.

To listen to this story on NPR’s Latino USA show, click here.

Share this on Twitter: No to Junkfood in CA schools! #SaludAmerica http://bit.ly/1LSHlMh

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84

percent

of Latino parents support public funding for afterschool programs

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