December 4, 2013
In this season of goodwill
and generosity, it’s hard to top the Orfalea Foundation, which has given the
gift of good nutrition and healthy choices to thousands of students and
families countywide. I speak on behalf of the entire educational community in
saying thank you and congratulations for all that has been accomplished through
these efforts.
The Orfalea Foundation has
embodied the art of the possible, truly changing the culture of school
nutrition in Santa Barbara County through the S’Cool Food initiative. That
program provided expert assessment of school food programs and more effective
use of fresh ingredients and school gardens. Through the initiative, schools
were able to purchase more fresh items from small farmers as well.
Menus were scrutinized with
an eye toward using healthier items and less processed food. Chicken patties
were grilled instead of breaded. Soups and sauces were made from scratch. More
protein was added to breakfast. Build-your-own yogurt parfait bars drew crowds
of eager students.
Through the initiative,
school lunch workers were trained in time management in a kitchen, menu
planning, and local procurement. Children were encouraged to have fresh fruits
and vegetables between breakfast and lunch for healthy snacks. Most
importantly, the program helped make it “cool” to eat healthy, which was
critical to changing the culture.
The need was evident. Obesity
is a serious problem throughout our state. Childhood obesity can cause
devastating health issues, including diabetes, which is being diagnosed in ever
growing numbers. Toward that end, the initiative also provided funds for
helping educate parents and children in terms of eating better at home as well.
As one school food director
said, “Kids come to school to learn math, science, history, and English; we can
help them learn to make better choices in terms of food as well, which will
help them over a lifetime.”
During the worst fiscal
crisis since the Great Depression, schools clearly did not have funds to change
and sustain good nutrition programs. The Orfalea Foundation, dedicated to
having an impact on children’s health and nutrition even in difficult financial
times, stepped in to provide the funding and expertise needed.
The program flourished
countywide, with model nutrition programs ranging from Carpinteria and Goleta
in the south, Solvang and Santa Ynez High in the middle of the county, to
Lompoc, Santa Maria-Bonita, and Guadalupe in the North County, and many in
between. These programs have made an enormous difference. Community and school
gardens are used as classrooms, and dietary programs have been truly
revolutionized.
When the program began 12
years ago, the goals seemed daunting because the cafeteria programs and
operations were doing all they could, and children were notorious for leaving
or tossing food they didn’t like. By providing the seed money and support, the
Orfalea Foundation has truly met its goals of changing the food culture in
schools, enabling districts to take the programs to scale and now focus on
sustainability.
As the Orfalea Foundation now
moves in a new direction, the entire community is grateful for the impact and
results of this highly successful effort. It will have a lasting impact on
thousands of students and families countywide.
Teaching good nutrition for a
lifetime is among the greatest gifts anyone can bestow. Congratulations and
enormous thanks go to the Orfalea Foundation for a job well done. It is greatly
appreciated.
