The Food Network has its version of a reality show each week: "Iron Chef America."
A challenger chef selects one of five Iron Chefs and the competition begins. The suspense mounts as the culinary competitors await the lifting of the cover over the secret ingredient.
In trying to share with readers information on the menus and nutritional content of food provided to students attending Hamilton County public schools, the image of "secret ingredients" comes to mind.
Perhaps somewhere in the myriad of rules and regulations that sprang from Homeland Security, school lunch menus were included. Everyone knows the big sucking sound that sweeps public information into oblivion under the guise of security. While there is merit to some restrictions, at times it seems that the vacuum cleaner lacks an off switch.
The Times Free Press has attempted to publish the nutritional information associated with the menus that are used in public schools.
Our first attempt several years earlier was a dead end as reporters were told the menus were under review and the information was not available. As a solution, the items that were on the published school menu were assigned a calorie and fat value based on readily available information. School officials shouted foul, stating that a chicken nugget from a fast food chain was not comparable to one served at school. We were never sure whether the school version was better or worse.
Within the past several weeks, a reporter attempted to share the nutritional content associated with public lunches. Once more, the information was not available.
Hamilton County public schools are participating in a two-year pilot study as part of a coordinated school health initiative. The initiative includes more than healthy food, but there are mandates for elementary, middle and high schools to have improved menu choices. In elementary schools, vending machines must have healthy choices, and as you move up the grade-level chain, the restrictions are somewhat loosened.
In the health factor compliance report for Hamilton County schools, one section states, "At a high school recently, (Coordinated School Health) reviewed the food items purchased from the cafeteria by 100 students in succession. Only seven purchased foods high in nutritional content."
This is not to once more bypass parents and put all the blame or responsibility on schools, teachers and cafeteria employees. The comprehensive health approach recognizes that schools should not carry the full burden, and habits such as healthy food choices start at home.
But information, freely flowing and shared, can bring focus to an issue.
The Bredesen administration pushed legislation to require restaurants to post nutritional information. For fast-food restaurants, the in-store menu boards would be the delivery device. The Tennessee General Assembly did not approve the measure.
There is little doubt that the bill on full disclosure of restaurant information, particularly of the fast-food variety, will return next year. So why not a friendly amendment? Let's share the mandate
with school cafeterias and post on the walls the nutritional values associated with school lunch menus.
The news media will no longer have to pester school officials for the information.
Schools would be setting the example for other food service organizations to follow.
Credit or blame can be appropriately shared with any and all who educate students on making healthy choices.
In addition to improved health, lower obesity rates and better school attendance, it would be a novel approach for a government entity actually to take the lead and set the example.
Since the coordinated school health program requires messaging posters and the funds to go with the mandate, why not use those dollars for nutritional signage attached to the cafeteria menu?
Your taxpayer dollars at work with a possible longer-term return.
To reach Tom Griscom, call (423) 757-6472 or e-mail tgriscom@timesfreepress.com.
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