Fruitopia ≠ Fruit

Yesterday was the 2nd school that underwent a food service (FS) assessment by moi. Unfortunately, this time the assessment wasn't as inspiring as the last.

Despite the claims of the full-time FS worker that she was trying to follow the policy guidelines, the only evidence of which we witnessed was the Maximum Nutrition Foods poster hanging in the kitchen (not at all faded which leads me to believe that it was recently hung), the change on this month's menu to whole-wheat/grain products, and selling baked chips. However, regular white bagels were still being sold at the canteen for purchase at recess, and refined flour muffins are offered as long as they are in the kitchen (which is at least 3x per week according to their menu). Chocolate was everywhere and anywhere (granola bars, pudding, cookies), a large bag of sprinkles was in the kitchen, hard taco shells were on the menu, large portions of donair sauce to be served with garlic fingers as an entree, hash browns served as a vegetable, and Cheez Whiz or jam sandwiches are offered as alternate lunches daily. The FS worker responded to our questioning her menu with the defense that "kids won't eat anything else." But this begs the question, "have they been given the chance?"

I've noticed a trend that FS workers seem to be confused about the 70:30 maximum:moderate nutrition foods served. The policy guidelines are that 70% of the time (each week, for instance) the foods served to students must be of maximum nutrition value, and only 30% of the time moderate foods are available. At no point during the regular week (or to be sold at any time at any function the school puts on) are minimum nutrition foods (like pop, hot dogs, and chocolate - other than chocolate milk... le sigh) able to be sold at the school. Minimum nutrition foods can be given away at special functions (total of twice per month) as long as maximum nutrition foods (like vegetables) are also provided free-of-charge. Back to the 70:30 ratio: FS workers, as it seems, believe that as long as they have some maximum foods for sale, they can sell as many moderate foods as they like, or only offer a certain number of baked chip flavors daily. Not so much the case. The idea behind the guideline is that students only have the option to purchase moderate foods twice per week (30% of a 5-day school week), therefore, if baked chips are offered for purchase daily from the canteen, this guideline is not being followed. This is because, as I observed yesterday so my idea has merit, kids will more often than not choose baked goods such as freshly baked (not necessarily homemade) muffins, granola bars, or chips over fresh fruit. Not providing them with an option to purchase these moderate foods 3 days a week ensures that they get sufficient nutrients on those days. Seems simple enough to me, but I also have a nutrition degree and am training to be a Dietitian. Both times when this concept was explained to the FS workers at the schools, it was met with resistance and the protest that students won't buy the healthier foods. I say: give THEM a chance to decide for themselves! Perhaps they haven't tried these foods before. School is a place to learn, why not also encourage them to learn about new and different foods? 

So where does the title of this blog entry come into play?

Product comparison courtesy of Coca-Cola's website

Yesterday, the FS worker was telling me about the homemade desserts she makes to sell to the students, and one of which that she was particularly proud of was a frozen fruit pop she makes by combining yogurt and Fruitopia. Fruitopia is neither a fruit nor is it even permitted to be sold in schools as it is a minimum nutrition food. Having "fruit" in the name of a product, does not make a healthy food.

This example shows the level and degree of education and resources that we'll need to provide to the FS workers and their schools to help them better follow the School Food and Nutrition Policy.

Unfortunately, my time in my Public Health rotation will be over before I can help administer the supports that were determined to be necessary for the schools. Perhaps a lucky integrated intern will catch the tail end of it in the spring.