Judge Halts New York City Soda Ban

[wjk]

Quote from DHOHHI:

Well, do you feel that those on food stamps (SNAP) should be allowed to spend those vouchers on soda and other "addictive" food. The NY Times article Nutmeg posted I read weeks ago. They food companies try to produce food that tastes so good but is total crap and at the same time addictive. Many people have little willpower and would rather eat crap than healthy stuff due to taste alone.

I have no problem with restrictions being imposed on those receiving food stamps. That has no impact on my freedom.

For myself, I am satisfied if companies post what's in their food. I use those labels, especially regarding sugar and fat. It's there for those who wish to use it, though the accuracy of those labels is always in question. It's that info that enables me to make what I consider an informed decision regarding my food and drinks.

My wife started an outdoor garden classroom at a high poverty school where she's not a school district teacher but raised the $$$ to start this on her own. She has found that high poverty kids can change. They used to love the bags of chips, doritos, etc. Now they love Kale chips, collards, lettuce/salads, variety of tomatoes, etc. The fact they get to plant and harvest the fruits/vegetables and are simultaneously learning "science" also plays a role. But the earlier we get people on the road to eating healthy the less ingrained the habitual poor choices for diet are.

Education. Your wife freely chose to educate kids in a way they found fun and satisfying in the end. They enjoyed the fruit of their labor. That's how it's supposed to work in a free country. Doesn't sound like the gov was needed or involved at all, and the result was a good one. How bout that?

 

[wjk]

Quote from DHOHHI:

I must be getting too old ... I grew up and caddied at a golf course. Walked a minimum of 18 holes most days which was 4 hours and probably 5-6 miles. Some days we did 36 holes so double the walking and time outdoors. At even younger ages we shoveled snow in winter and cut grass for people in summers. Had a paper route at even younger age. Bottom line is kids today are lazy and want to sit around on Facebook, texting and playing with all their other electronics and eating cans of Pringles (or whatever else you want to fill in) and drinking tons of soda. It's an epidemic and I can't comprehend how/why a kid would want to look so bad physically. Part of blame goes to the parents who often are as out of shape and fat.

When I was in my single digits, I can assure you I burned more calories hunting for empty pop bottles than I consumed from the candy bar I bought with the profit.

 

[trendlover]

Quote from DHOHHI:



My wife started an outdoor garden classroom at a high poverty school where she's not a school district teacher but raised the $$$ to start this on her own. She has found that high poverty kids can change. They used to love the bags of chips, doritos, etc. Now they love Kale chips, collards, lettuce/salads, variety of tomatoes, etc. The fact they get to plant and harvest the fruits/vegetables and are simultaneously learning "science" also plays a role. But the earlier we get people on the road to eating healthy the less ingrained the habitual poor choices for diet are. [/B]

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http://camdenchildrensgarden.wordpress.com/save/


"Every School and community organization in the region who requests donations from the Children’s Garden for fundraisers, receives free tickets or memberships for the Garden. Over 10,000 Children from Camden are provided free admissions each year. University of Pennsylvania’s 2009 study of urban community gardens, found “Camden, NJ has perhaps the fastest growing community gardens in the country”. Since then, CCGC has tripled the number of gardens: 120 community gardens, 100 family gardens, and 12 school gardens. The City of Camden is a Top 9 US “Food Desert”, according to the USDA, and 12% of the population gets fresh food from our Gardens throughout the city. Today, Camden’s 120 community gardens produce an estimated $2.3 million in fresh produce each year, according a report by Domenic Vitiello, a University of Pennsylvania professor who has researched urban agriculture in Philadelphia, Camden, and Newark, N.J. Through the Youth Employment Program, over 300 of Camden’s Youth have received job training and gainful employment while continuing their education–only 1 dropped out of high school in a city with a 60% dropout rate. "