Some random items to close out the week . . .
Spork-Wielding Readers Attack!
Well, I’ve been roundly criticized by Lunch Tray readers today for accepting so easily my district’s explanation on why we use a flimsy spork instead of plastic forks and knives in our cafeterias. I love reader push-back, and have to agree that I did indeed fold like a house of cards. I’ll circle back to our Food Services General Manager on all the issues you raised (environmental waste, legitimacy of the safety explanation, etc.) and will let you know what I find out.
School Food Article in Today’s New York Times
My friend June alerted me to this piece in today’s Times about how one school in New York City is getting school food right.
Candy Potpourri
Finally, as the sugar high of Halloween is wearing off, a few last candy-related items to report.
First, reader Shira (of Garden for Dessert) sent me this article from last week’s New York Times entitled “Is Candy Evil or Just Misunderstood?” It’s a great discussion of Americans’ uneasy relationship with confectionery.
Second, Christina at Spoonfed linked to this site on her blog which has all sorts of science experiments using candy – so cool, and a great way to dispose of some of the Halloween stash in a kid-friendly way.
Finally, I know it sounds weird, but one of my recent favorite reads was a “candy memoir” called Candyfreak. Written by Steve Almond, a self-proclaimed candyfreak who keeps pounds of the stuff in his house at all times, the book chronicles his nationwide journey to track down the obscure candies of old (Valomilks, Goo Goo Clusters, etc.). Equal parts candy porn, hilarity and intelligent analysis, the book is a meditation on childhood, but also on how corporate consolidation has muscled out regional food producers, resulting in a sadly homogenized food supply. Check it out.
Have a great weekend everyone! More Lunch Tray on Monday . . .