Episode Details

 Do you remember waiting in line at school for square pizza and chocolate milk? This seemingly everyday ritual holds the key to significant and meaningful change within our education system. Today, we delve deep into the fascinating world of The School Lunch Program and its potential for transformative impact.

We’re joined by Dr. Jennifer Gaddis, an associate professor at The University of Wisconsin-Madison, known for her compelling research on school food and the systems and politics surrounding it. With over 30 million students participating in school meal programs daily, we explore the historical context and the challenges faced by these programs, such as dealing with stigma, shame, and access to quality nutrition. Furthermore, we touch on environmental justice and the farm-to-school program, spotlighting the importance of fostering strong relationships between local communities, farmers, and the education sector.

As we tackle labor issues and financial challenges faced by schools in providing scratch cooking options, we also celebrate the inspiring stories of schools and organizations making positive changes in lunch programs across the nation. Ultimately, Dr. Gaddis encourages us all to participate in the school lunch program, as that is the most likely way to create a system that serves all kids, our environment, and food service workers best.

LINKS:

• Dr. Gaddis’s Book – The Labor of Lunch: Why We Need Real Food and Real Jobs in American Public Schools
• Dr. Gaddis’s NYT Op-Ed – Why Are You Still Packing Lunch for Your Kids?
• Dr. Gaddis in The Washington Post – Cooking School Lunches from Scratch Can Fix Labor and Supply Issues
• Dr. Gaddis on Problem Areas with Wyatt Cenac
• Janet Poppendieck – Free For All: Fixing School Food in America
• Susan Levine – School Lunch Politics: The Surprising History of America’s Favorite Welfare Program
• Report from 1968 on lunch programs across the country – Their Daily Bread
• Chef Ann Foundation 
• Food Corps

ACTION STEPS:

1. Talk to your young people about school lunch. What impressions do that have? If they aren’t eating it, what barriers are there?
2. Use the links above to learn more about the school lunch program, and find ways to connect with local advocacy efforts around universal lunch.
3. Find ways to increase your participation in the program, and encourage others to do the same. Even simple steps such as sending a main course, but getting sides, or participation a couple of days a week / month, can have meaningful impacts on the system.
4. Advocate for food service workers, and more scratch cooking in ALL schools.

Use these links or start at our Bookshop.org storefront to support local bookstores, and send a portion of the proceeds back to us.

Join our Patreon to support this work, and connect with us and other listeners to discuss these issues even further.

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