Show IN Doctor Doctorin in the Kitchen by Laurence Laurenco M. M Hursh MD M.D. Consultant National Dairy Council I SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK Next week October 8 14 will wilt be National School Lunch Week Its theme Is to be bo You Vou Are What You Eat Ent Well Welt that Is In my opinion a II pretty good theme true and and to the point It Il fits in with the school lu lunch ch alms to feed teed children nour flour meals and to make school lunch a II demonstration of ot how to cat eat wisely Lunchtime at school thus becomes a part of ot the learnIng learning learn learns ing process as M well as os a II healthy time and a time of relaxation and companionship All this Is handled pretty prelly well nt lit school chool- chool by your children and the school staffs But nut parents too have a responsibility in the school lunch program Know The Program One thought that occurs to me immediately is that you as a parent parent par par- ent should hould be thoroughly familiar with the school lunch programs your children are lire exposed to It is your yom business to know for example example ex ex- ample whether the meals ments served arc are up to standards and this of ot course means you OU must know what the National School Lunch standards are If you dont don't know you ou can easily discuss it with school authorities or if you wish write to the US U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington DC D.C. They administer the school lunch program and they have bave literature I tully fully descriptive of or what recommended mended lunches should offer You can also make sure your child is taking advantage of school lunch Now and then parents parents par discover disco their children are aro not doing so but spending the tho money foolishly elsewhere It If there are needy families in your neighborhood find out 1 if your school is taking advantage of legislation that provides for the serving of free freo or reduced prIce men meals Is Mothers also can volunteer at i f many schools to help out Their service helps to reduce costs and helps make the program dollars f go farther in their district j i School Cant Can't Do no It Alt All R a Most of ot all alt parents should not assume because their children r rhad had a good lunch that the rest of J the days day's men meats are arc less tant The scho school l lunch provides provides' only a II portion of the needed nutrients nutrients' nutrients nutrients' nu nu- for the day The rest of ot the nutrients must come from an adequate breakfast and dinner In some sante areas the school lunch program is now now being extended j to include breakfast as well Find out if your school is doing this And why not make dinner a II asocial asocial social meal in your house Make Mako it both nourishing and a chance for th the family to ta visit together I |