Healthy+Eating+Latest+Minutes

Parents United for Public Education Committee on Healthy Foods Initiative Wed., Jan. 23, 4-7 p.m. PA Horticultural Society, 20th and Arch Sts.

Present Parents United for Public Education: Jay Cohen, Cook Wissahickon; Sally McCabe, Saul HS; Alison McDowell, Meredith; Jeanne Ortiz, Cook Wissahickon/PA Environmental Council; Aissia Richardson, GAMP.

Amy Andrews, Education Works; Catherine Devigne, The Food Trust; Crystal El, parent, Cook Wissahickon; Wayne Grasela, Food Services, School District; Paulette Greenwell, parent, Samuel Powel; Amy Griffin, PCCY; Nikki Gubanich, Education Works; Patty Hampton, parent, Samuel Powel; Tegan Hagy, Food Trust/Farm to School; Imani Hope, Food Trust; Jane Kauer, parent, Samuel Powel; Phyllis Johnson; parent, GAMP; Glenn McDevitt, School District; Katie Shimalla; PCCY; Shannon Stirman, parent, Meredith; Paula Walker, parent, Saul HS;

Research Tegan distributed folders with articles, policy and a newsletter about healthy food initiatives. At the next meeting, Tegan will review documents with committee members.

Discussion focused on demystifying the District Food Services department. Wayne talked about menu development, a la carte standards, specialized health services, USDA guideline restrictions, staffing requirements and square footage restrictions to cafeterias created lunch periods, other programs focused on food service advocacy (CHOP, PUFFA, Temple). He recommended coordinated meetings with all groups.

Tegan gave examples of districts making positive change in their food service programs � Boston, centralized commissary; Manhattan (Jeffrey Donahue), created stricter guidelines than USDA (less corn syrup, sweeteners and nitrates). She also spoke about Upstate yogurt changing its ingredients to come in line with Manhattan standards. It's also more local than current yogurt provider.

Actions short term Parents monitor what's being served for lunch vs. what's on the menu to review variety, freshness. Check Food Services website www.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/foodservices/

Invite principal union president to meeting in March to discuss eliminating early and late lunch.

Contact your food services representative to influence menu. Document request to principal and Wayne Grasela.

Actions Long term Advocate with PA Department of Education and Agriculture around stricter USDA guidelines for PA schools.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, February 19 4-6 PM at the Food Trust, 1 Penn Center, 1617 JFK, 9th floor