dairy in schools

[Guest guest]

i thought this was great and great web sites to check out on this topic.

jeannie

 

Public comment on the child nutrition programs of the USDA is

currently taking place around the country.

 

For more information on the programs and the " outreach sessions, "

visit the following Web sites:

 

go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/menu/whatsnew/WhatsNew.htm

 

go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/outreach.htm

 

 

 

[[[[ The following is a statement submitted in writing and in person

by Pamela Rice during the New York City session, today, April 16,

2002. About half of the wording and focus of this tract came from

PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) general counsel

Mindy Kursban (mkursban) ]]]]

 

********

 

I would like to thank the USDA and the Food and Nutrition Service for

the opportunity to comment on the reauthorization of the child

nutrition programs.

 

I am the founder of a vegetarian organization in New York City, the

founder and coordinator of the Vegetarian Center of New York City,

and the publisher of a vegetarian-issues magazine.

 

Over 150,000 copies of my 16-page pamphlet, which I wrote, entitled

" 101 Reasons Why I'm a Vegetarian, " have been distributed widely

throughout the city as well as all over the country. It sells by word

of mouth.

 

I mention this because everyday people today are more and more

adopting the vegetarian lifestyle, simply because it embodies common

sense.

 

But vegetarianism is much more than a peculiar dietary lifestyle. Its

issues touch on matters of health, economics, the environment, and

animal welfare.

 

As for health--which this hearing is primarily concerned with--I

believe that in order to improve the overall health of our nation's

children, decrease childhood obesity, and teach our children healthy

eating habits, I recommend that the child nutrition programs:

 

-- provide more fresh fruits and vegetables, including calcium-rich

vegetables, and much less meat, poultry, and fried foods.

 

-- They should provide soy milk and rice milk to children,

regardless of whether a medical or dietary need is shown. To do

otherwise, I believe, is simply an outrage.

 

-- Ultimately, the programs should provide information about

nutrition so that children not only have the option, but the desire

to choose healthier foods.

 

Overall, the USDA must sever its ties to the meat and dairy industries.

 

As for the current food pyramid, from the vegetarian point of view:

 

-- Why do we have a milk group? Because we have a National Dairy Council.

 

-- Why do we have a meat group? Because we have an extremely powerful

meat lobby.

 

Vegetarian children grow up to be slimmer, healthier, and live longer

than their meat-eating friends. They are less likely to suffer from

cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and certain kinds of cancers.

 

It is in fact much easier to build a nutritious diet that meets the

goals of the Dietary Guidelines from vegetarian foods than from

animal foods. Meat and dairy have just too many calories and too much

fat for the nutrients that they provide.

 

And vegetarian foods contain absolutely no cholesterol.

 

An extensive body of research shows that consuming cow's milk is

associated with osteoporosis. It is linked to juvenile diabetes,

anemia, constipation, allergies, ear infections, asthma, and prostate

cancer.

 

Moreover, a majority of ethnic populations are lactose intolerant.

 

Epidemiological research shows that countries with the highest

incidence of osteoporosis, including the U.S., have the highest dairy

consumption rates.

 

My final comment, as a resident of New York, is to oppose Senator

Charles Schumer's proposal to put milk vending machines in public

schools as part of the school lunch program. I would favor bottled

water, juices, and nutritious soy and nut milks.

 

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.

 

Pamela Rice

President

VivaVegie Society

http://www.vivavegie.org

 

 

 

 

 

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