Have you heard about the “slow food” movement? It started in Italy and slowly but surely, made it’s way to our shores. Slow Foods U.S.A., is the charter organization for the movement. They describe themselves as, “an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.”

In a nutshell, the organization is setting its sites on re-educating people on how to eat, and eat well. They support a more sustainable style of eating: local, natural, organic and whole foods. They want to tantalize your palette and redesign your taste buds to become more attune to eating, the ‘Slow Food’ way.

But, this organization is more than just a great place to share recipes and find local food growers, they are very serious about cleaning up the Industrialized worlds eating habits...and they are starting with your kid’s lunches. Yes, that’s correct: Slow Foods, U.S.A. is tackling the debate over our nation’s, school lunch programs and taking it all the way to Congress.

The organization launched a campaign in support of their efforts called, “Time For Lunch”.

"Time For Lunch" intends to “Give kids the lunch they deserve”. In an email from Josh Viertel, President, Slow Foods, U.S.A. (May 24^th, 2010), he stated, “In the last few days, the Slow Food network has stepped up in a big way, sending over 35,000 letters to Congress. It's clear that public awareness about childhood obesity is at an all-time high. People understand that it's time to change the way America eats. And for more than 31 million children, school lunch is critical.”

(You may have also heard of First Lady, Michelle Obama’s initiative to upgrade our nation’s school lunch programs in relation to fighting childhood obesity.)

They are asking for your help as well. If you love or know a kid, Slow Foods hopes you also care enough to initiate changes that will benefit the future of all kids. Congress is updating legislature this year (2010) and they are being asked to instill more nutritious options for our nation’s children through the National School Lunch Program with the Child Nutrition Bill.

One of the initiatives being sent to Congress and being supported by Slow Foods, U.S.A. is a request for something really simple that would not only improve the quality of school lunches, but support local economies: Linking local farmers to schools.

“Through school garden and education programs and initiatives to expand fresh, local food options in underserved neighborhoods, our volunteer leaders are helping kids develop the healthy eating habits that will last throughout their lives,” stated Viertel.

Did you know that for many children, the meal they eat at school is the only meal they have all day or at least the only full meal. For poverty stricken families, this is happening more and more often. Why not teach our children not only how to eat better, but what kind of impact their choices make, on everybody involved, from the farmer to the dinner table?

What is being proposed is simple: More nutritious lunches to help our kids stay healthy, to thrive each day and to teach them how to make better choices when it comes to food.

If you’d like to learn more about the “Time for Lunch” initiative visit their website where you can also find out about local efforts, volunteerism or donate to their cause.

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/campaign/time_for_lunch/