War on Fries: Senate Keeps Spuds in Schools

From the AP:Senate votes for unlimited potatoes in schools

By Mary Clare Jalonick

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate threw its support behind the potato Tuesday, voting to block an Obama administration proposal to limit the vegetable on school lunch lines.

Agriculture Department rules proposed earlier this year aimed to reduce the amount of french fries in schools, limiting lunchrooms to two servings a week of potatoes and other starchy vegetables. That angered the potato industry, some school districts and members of Congress from potato-growing states, who say USDA should focus on the preparation instead and that potatoes can be a good source of fiber and potassium.

"Unlimited potatoes"—I like the sound of that. So, no government-imposed ‘potato famine’ in U.S. schools for now? That's good news, and a nice counterpoint to the other school lunch news story that got wide play this week: the magnet school in Danville, IL that only serves healthy food. At this school, the students apply to attend (fair enough) and the parents have to sign a health contract (creepy).

I always thought of a magnet school as one that focuses on teaching certain skills. This one teaches eating habits, which is more like a year-round dieting camp.

I think it’s safe to say that most parents want public schools to teach life skills, not lifestyles. First Lady Michelle Obama articulated the opposite philosophy when she said this week, “That's why we start with kids, right? We can affect who they will be forever.” Affecting who kids will become is the job of real families, not the “federal family” or the public schools.