BEVERLY — Bring your lunch to Dane Street Beach on Monday. Eat it to show your support for healthy school lunches.
In all 50 states, thousands of people will be doing the same thing in some 300 locations as part of Slow Food USA's "Time for Lunch" campaign.
The campaign advocates for Congress to pass a bill that would reimburse school districts $1 more for every student lunch, so administrators can use the extra money to buy local fresh fruits and vegetables and better ingredients all around.
"School lunches," said local organizer Margaret Young, "are basically dictated by what is the cheapest."
Too often, she said, that translates to "fried stuff that's almost always at the center of the meal" and "if there's a vegetable, it often came from a can, and kids rightly refuse it."
People are encouraged to bring wholesome, homemade meals and the necessary utensils for a picnic-style chow-down designed to draw legislators' attention.
"We needed to really show a movement for them to take action, so that's what we're trying to do," said Brian Sinderson, director of communications for Slow Food, a nonprofit working to create a sustainable food system. "It's really part potluck and part sit-in. It's like a potluck with a message."
They're calling it an eat-in.
Young, who teaches a freshman seminar class at Endicott College about the ecology of food, decided to organize the local eat-in after receiving numerous e-mails about the campaign.
"I spent the summer reading these updates," she said. "I kept thinking maybe someone will have one here."
Two weeks ago, when there still wasn't anything, she decided to do it herself.
"I thought, you know, it's not that hard to just do something," she said.
Young said she'll also have a petition circulating that calls for changes to the Child Nutrition Act, which lawmakers will address this fall. In addition to the extra $1 per day per child for lunch, it urges that all food in school, including in vending machines, meets federal dietary guidelines, and asks for $50 million to support farm-to-school programs.
People can sign the petition online, as well, at www.slowfoodusa.org.
"I think people are looking to know more about where their food comes from and what's in it," Sinderson said.
Many cafeterias have started serving up fresh ingredients on their own. Beverly Public Schools, for instance, raised lunch prices by 25 cents this year in order incorporate more fresh produce and whole grains for items like hamburger buns and pizza crusts.
"It's really a growing movement," Sinderson said. However, although some communities are making an effort, kids in many others, especially urban areas and less affluent neighborhoods, don't have that choice when they buy lunch at school.
"Our goal is to really build awareness that a lot of children that participate in this program don't have that option," Sinderson said.
The federally subsidized school lunch program serves about 30 million children a year, according to Slow Food USA.
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salemnews.com.
If you go
What: Local eat-in to support healthy school lunches through Slow Food USA
Where: Dane Street Beach, at picnic tables at the intersection of Dane and Lothrop streets.
When: Monday at noon
Cost: Free. Please bring a potluck and utensils.
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
