This has the potential to have a huge impact on the growing "farm to school" efforts to get fresh vegetables and fruits into children's diets. Of course, it's possible that the entities to which food services are outsourced would maintain the relationships that have been developed, or reach out to local farmers/growers/producers to obtain local products for the schools they serve. But it seems more possible that large "convenience" food companies persuade these outsourcing firms that there is more money to be made buying in bulk for all schools rather than taking advantage of what is available locally. Fresh food requires people to prepare it and people who are able to do this deserve to be paid more than people who open a bag or microwave a pouch. There goes the profit...
This feels wrong to me on many levels. The quality of food is only the start. Then there is the impact on the farmers' incomes. And I resent paying tax dollars to fund this type of action, taking the control of a basic choice away from individuals. Where is the sense in lessening of food choices and options in school systems, giving over control about what children eat to faceless firms that may be hundreds of miles away and whose focus is on profit. And research more and more shows the direct connection between food choices and their impact on health.
For those parents who can, food choices for their children are available by packing their children's lunches and limiting or avoiding purchases in the school cafeteria. More work for mom and dad. Yes, no doubt. But if this bill becomes law, it may be one of the few choices left about what children have access to eat at school.
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