Did you catch the story on Good Morning America? A public school speech pathologist began blogging about the school lunches in her Chicago area elementary school. She took snapshots of the daily offerings, concerned about the type of lunches the students were receiving. 90% of the students in her school qualify for free or reduced price lunches.

Sarah Wu, the anonymous blogger who finally revealed herself, forgot to pack a lunch one day and found herself in the lunch room at the mercy of the cafeteria food. She was so disgusted that she began a secret blog called Fed Up With Lunch that took off. Surrounded daily by tater tots, chicken nuggets, beef patties and other highly processed, salt and starch offerings, she decided to let people know what the kids were experiencing.

In my book, Raising Healthy Kids in an unhealthy world, I have an entire chapter dedicated to the role schools can play to combat childhood obesity. Practical steps like revamping the meals, bringing back PE and recess and assigning less homework because more is accomplished during classroom time, are just a few suggestions.

Sarah’s blog was a brilliant way to bring attention to a need to redo public school lunches in most school cafeterias. As Mrs. Obama brings awareness to the epidemic of childhood obesity, schools are on the front line to make a difference. For some kids, breakfast and lunch provide two thirds of their nutritional day.

Sarah has revealed herself, trusting she will keep her day job. I hope so Sarah. Thanks for being on the side of the kids, for making us aware of the need to keep pushing better nutrition in public places. And thanks for showing us the power of one–you made a difference!

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