It’s a possibility, as news breaks of an unexpected million dollar shortfall that may result in the non-renewal of Aramark’s contract.
But what then? Today’s Spork Report discusses the options and the future of school food in the nation’s seventh largest district.
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Carolyn @ Real Food Houston says
I read your column in today’s Houston Chronicle, “Now’s the time to rethink HISD food program” and was very impressed with your concern for the nutrition and health of Houston’s schoolchildren and your practical approach to improve the school food. The problems with food service management companies, like Aramark, are discussed in a book my husband and I are now reading–Joel Salatin’s “Folks, this ain’t normal.” Joel, who owns a sustainable farm in Virginia, writes about wanting to provide healthy, local food to schools and restaurants in his area and how he met many unexpected barriers, including from Aramark. I highly recommend reading his book. I am co-leader of the Houston-Galveston chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation, a non-profit that promotes health and nutrition education, and I share your concern about children’s nutrition at school and at home. There is an article on the Foundation website that talks about a volunteer who was able to influence food choices at a small private school. (http://www.westonaprice.org/making-it-practical/cooking-for-sequoia-academy) I also write about real food and food rights on my blog, Real Food Houston.
Bettina Elias Siegel says
Carolyn: Thank you for the comment and sorry for the delay in responding. I definitely want to read Joel Salatin’s book – thank you for the recommendation. And I’ll check out Real Food Houston as well.