Where are the Parents? A bit off topic

**"* K* E* <b*@xnet.com>**

While staying with a sick friend last Friday night, we watched a program 
called Jaimie Oliver's Food Revolution.  The world renown chef takes on 
one school district in Huntington, WV, otherwise known as the 
unhealthiest city in America, in an effort to bring in fresh, nutritious 
school meals.

There were very many things I found totally appalling. But I was 
thunderstruck to note:

1)   when presented with fresh, uncooked veggies, not one child 
recognized even some of the most basic of veggies:
potato, tomato, beets, lettuce, cauliflower, peas, eggplant -- 
absolutely no clue. I repeat.  Not one child in the entire classroom 
could identify even one vegetable!  I could, maybe, understand their not 
recognizing an eggplant.  But a tomato?  Or potato?

2)  Through age 10, the only utensil the school hands out is a spoon.  
That means, those children through grade four consume food using only 
their fingers and a spoon. When finally presented with a knife and fork, 
the kids had no clue how to use them.  To say I was as incredulous as 
the chef, would be an understatement!

Teaching children to eat with a knife and fork is outside our scope as 
garden writers.  But we better truly advocate for school vegetable 
gardens, if for no other reason than to introduce children to the source 
of their food, teach them how and where food comes from, and educate 
kids about good, tasty and nutritious food that does not include pizza, 
corn dogs, or McNuggets (which some, apparently, eat every single day).  
If we don't get on this bandwagon now, they will end up being the first 
generation whose life span will be shorter than the generation before 
them. 

Betty
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