We seem to be in the midst of a miniRevolution about the foods our children are eating. This is especially true when discussions turn to the school lunch program. Changes definitely need to be made, but money needs to become available to make those changes. The importance of a well-balanced, healthy school lunch program becomes an ever more critical issue when we take into account schools in neighborhoods where youngsters depend on the school meals for their sustenance.

When we balance that consideration with the glaring statistics about obesity, we recognize the prominent role the schools play. At the time when family budgets are stressed and fast food restaurants are fighting over each other to establish top dog terrain in the low-priced food category, many people are left with no healthy choices. This scenario makes the school lunch program an ever more important stop gap for lowering the caloric input of our youngsters. As a nation, we need to spend more money taking care of our children and making certain the foods they receive in the school programs are good for them and not just additional calories.

Some states have decided to step out of the shadows and take the initiative to correct or at least revise some of the food choices. Tomorrow April 15, the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environment hosts a program to help get healthier food into the Iowa school lunch program. By joining forces with the farm-to-school program, they believe that schools can get healthier foods onto those lunch trays. This program is part of the Northern Iowa Food & Farm Partnership.

The nationwide Buy Fresh, Buy Local approach to healthier eating impacts many of these state food/farm associations. Yes, I understand not every school cafeteria can financially support this particular healthy strategy, but I also understand that as a nation we have to do a better job. Our children depend on us to make these decisions. They need to know what a fruit looks like; what a vegetable is. They need to be protected from the system that has ignored the effect of low-cost decision making.

Now.