This morning I had a very encouraging discussion with staffers in the office of New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, including Jason Tuber, the Senator’s legislative aide.
You’ll recall that Senator Menendez was the first federal elected official who stepped up to the plate and supported our efforts to get pink slime out of school food. I was thrilled to learn of his letter to USDA yesterday, which took our campaign to an entirely new level. (Much gratitude is also owed to Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree for sending her own letter shortly afterward.)
We agreed that today’s official announcement by USDA (leaked to the Associated Press yesterday) regarding school food purchasing choice represents a real victory and an astonishing demonstration of the power of grassroots movements.
But I was also pleased to hear that the Senator, like I, wants to be sure this new policy is a viable solution for schools and he remains as committed as ever to working toward a legal requirement that pink slime be disclosed on product packaging so that consumers may avoid it if they so choose.
I remain very grateful for Senator Memendez’s involvement and look forward to working with his staff in any way I can to help bring about these reforms. I’ll of course keep you posted here.
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Just found your blog and have been hastily navigating through your posts as I want absorb it all. You have so succinctly addressed so many of my concerns as a mom and consumer. I applaud your work and am eager to follow and support your efforts. I’ve been banging my head against a wall for six years on some of these same issues. I finally resolved that packing my own kids lunches, modeling healthy choices and lifestyle, and trying to influence those kids forced to eat school lunch by sending enough in my kids’ lunch boxes that they can share when asked is all I can do. So many unhealthy atrocities committed against kids without an advocate. I’m so glad there are people like you. Keep up the great work!
Everyone on my family beach vacation this week is following along and cheering developments as they unfold. So inspiring. Seriously.
PS: Post NPR audio link as soon as you have it!
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