With so much national attention on problems with health, education and the economy, people across the country are beginning to think a solution to all of these issues may be getting more fresh and local food into the mouths of children.
"At this point, kids are sent crap," said Eden Brightspirit Hendrix, Spokane p.e.a.c.h. farm school president, about fillers and government subsidized corn and soy. "We are giving kids a poor diet, and they aren't succeeding, then we are blaming it on the teachers."
Advocates say there are many benefits to food from local farms in schools. The first is healthier meals for children.
"With disease and obesity, we have created a mess, and it's mostly related to consumption," Hendrix said.
Closely linked, is the increase in enjoyment students get out of the experience.
In Spokane's East Valley school district, the menu has completely changed to incorporate more fresh and local food. Through activities like husking corn that they later eat, more students are purchasing and giving positive responses to the meals, said Georjean Kuntz, East Valley nutrition director. Even though the local food may cost more, she expects to see "a wash" in the final budget because more students are buying meals at school.
Hendrix said the p.e.a.c.h. program, which brings students to the farm, exposes them to production and gets them involved in the process, making them more likely to eat and like the produce.
"Kids who grow up with a garden love to eat fresh salads," she said.
The benefits aren't just limited to the schools, however. The economy and the environment are getting a boost as well from sustainable food programs like Washington State University's.
Shawn Hoch, new dining services associate director, is committed to taking green and responsible opportunities whenever they present themselves, he said.
“Whenever a company puts out there their commitment to [sustainable practices], they are going to win WSU’s business,” Hoch said.
Dining services is also committed to using local producers wherever possible, such as Shepherd’s Grain wheat, Thomas Hammer coffee, meats, fruits and vegetables, Hoch said. This stimulates the local economy, generally creates a better product and is better for the environment.
East Valley is also committed to helping the local economy, Kuntz said.
“It’s a plus for our community and a plus for our children,” she said.
Along with positive feedback from parents, administrators and students, Kuntz said she is getting calls from people wanting help setting up their own programs.
“I think more and more schools are going to do this,” she said.
Many already are. The Farm to School program, a national organization that works to get more fresh food into schools, lists more than 2,000 schools and districts with fresh food programs on its website. Eighteen of the programs are in Washington.
The p.e.a.c.h. farm will start discussions about their pilot program with the Cheney school district in 2010. p.e.a.c.h. will not only grow the produce, but will also prepare it for the Cheney schools, Hendrix said.
With more parents out of work, there are more free and reduced meal applications than ever before, Kuntz said. So it’s more important to her now, to make sure students are getting healthy and home-cooked meals at school, she said.
“To see [students’] faces light up was worth all the effort,” Kuntz said.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Nov 17 Blog Update
Related Stories:
*http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1102/p07s01-lign.html : The need to feed hungry families cultivates new interest in gleaning: Nov 2, 2009: This story is about a woman in Vermont who picks over farms to get what has been left by the farmers, often produce that is the same quality but stores refuse to sell for appearance. She then donates the produce to local food banks. This story is related to my beat because it is a story about a community working on a project that helps the environment and the people.
*http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_DISNEY_CLIMATE?SITE=OHRAV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT : Disney Co. spending $7 million on conservation projects: Nov 3, 2009 : Disney Co. is donating $7 million on various sustainability projects focused on tree planting and conservation to improve carbon sequestration. This story is related to my beat because it is about an organization that wants to be carbon neutral and is carefully considering its impact on the environment.
Story Ideas:
*Environmentally degrading aspects of the 'war on drugs' and hidden economic incentives
*The costs of replacing infrastructure in Pullman, are the green benefits worth the price?
*http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1102/p07s01-lign.html : The need to feed hungry families cultivates new interest in gleaning: Nov 2, 2009: This story is about a woman in Vermont who picks over farms to get what has been left by the farmers, often produce that is the same quality but stores refuse to sell for appearance. She then donates the produce to local food banks. This story is related to my beat because it is a story about a community working on a project that helps the environment and the people.
*http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_DISNEY_CLIMATE?SITE=OHRAV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT : Disney Co. spending $7 million on conservation projects: Nov 3, 2009 : Disney Co. is donating $7 million on various sustainability projects focused on tree planting and conservation to improve carbon sequestration. This story is related to my beat because it is about an organization that wants to be carbon neutral and is carefully considering its impact on the environment.
Story Ideas:
*Environmentally degrading aspects of the 'war on drugs' and hidden economic incentives
*The costs of replacing infrastructure in Pullman, are the green benefits worth the price?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Math Fun Times
1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?
$7885
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed?
83%
3. We have a company. We make crap. Some people get paid more than others. * The CEO earns $150,000 a year. She has a nice office and thinks big ideas. * Two top managers earn $100,000 a year for attending meetings, writing memos, etc. * The company has three security guards. They bust heads and carry Tasers. They earn $40,000 a year. * Finally, we have designers/engineers. They do the actual work. We pay them $35,000 and put them in cubicles like zoo animals.
Mean salary? 67,500 Median salary? 40,000
Which is more accurate?
Median, the majority of the employees are around that benchmark, the high salaries of the CEO and managers act as outliers
4. Desperate for revenue, the government decides to increase the tax on beer. The tax on food is 5 percent. But if you buy beer, you pay an extra percent, or a total of 6 percent. Supporters of the tax say this is only a 1 percentage increase; critics say this is a 20 percent increase. Who is right? Both, you are increasing by one % but by 20% of the previous tax
5. a. The city’s budget was cut from $2 million to $1.5 million. What was the percent decrease?25%
b. The city’s budget increased from $1.5 million to $2 million. What was the percent increase?
33%
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?
11%
7. We want to look at home sales in October.
* House 1 costs $225,000. * House 2 costs $207,000. * House 3 costs $129,000. * House 4 costs $192,000. * House 5 costs $3.2 million.
What’s the mean price?$790600 What’s the median? $207000
8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get? 3 slices
9. Let’s say someone wants to establish a University District. To gain support, he/she needs to establish that safety is a problem in the area. Assume the following:
* Pullman had 183 assaults last year. Spokane had 502. * Spokane has 200,000 people. Pullman has 25,000. Is the average person more likely to be assaulted in Spokane or Pullman? What's the per capita assault rate in each city? Pullman .7% Spokane .2% more likely in Pullman
10. House prices increased 40 percent this year to a median price of $210,000. What was the median house price last year? $150000
$7885
2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed?
83%
3. We have a company. We make crap. Some people get paid more than others. * The CEO earns $150,000 a year. She has a nice office and thinks big ideas. * Two top managers earn $100,000 a year for attending meetings, writing memos, etc. * The company has three security guards. They bust heads and carry Tasers. They earn $40,000 a year. * Finally, we have designers/engineers. They do the actual work. We pay them $35,000 and put them in cubicles like zoo animals.
Mean salary? 67,500 Median salary? 40,000
Which is more accurate?
Median, the majority of the employees are around that benchmark, the high salaries of the CEO and managers act as outliers
4. Desperate for revenue, the government decides to increase the tax on beer. The tax on food is 5 percent. But if you buy beer, you pay an extra percent, or a total of 6 percent. Supporters of the tax say this is only a 1 percentage increase; critics say this is a 20 percent increase. Who is right? Both, you are increasing by one % but by 20% of the previous tax
5. a. The city’s budget was cut from $2 million to $1.5 million. What was the percent decrease?25%
b. The city’s budget increased from $1.5 million to $2 million. What was the percent increase?
33%
6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?
11%
7. We want to look at home sales in October.
* House 1 costs $225,000. * House 2 costs $207,000. * House 3 costs $129,000. * House 4 costs $192,000. * House 5 costs $3.2 million.
What’s the mean price?$790600 What’s the median? $207000
8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get? 3 slices
9. Let’s say someone wants to establish a University District. To gain support, he/she needs to establish that safety is a problem in the area. Assume the following:
* Pullman had 183 assaults last year. Spokane had 502. * Spokane has 200,000 people. Pullman has 25,000. Is the average person more likely to be assaulted in Spokane or Pullman? What's the per capita assault rate in each city? Pullman .7% Spokane .2% more likely in Pullman
10. House prices increased 40 percent this year to a median price of $210,000. What was the median house price last year? $150000
Monday, November 2, 2009
November 3 Blog Update
Related Stories:
* Department of Ecology sets new limits on stormwater runoff: Down To Earth NW 10/21/09 DOE is raising the standards for industrial and corporate permit holders for stormwater runoff to decrease pollution, especially of copper and zinc. This relates very specifically to my document story because I will be looking at water pollution and DOE regulations.
* Think before you don real fur items: Daily Evergreen 11/2/09 A Life column about the environmental and ethical impacts of wearing real fur. This relates to my beat because it is an environmental impact that everyday citizens can have an effect on.
Story Ideas:
* getting kids involved in local and organic food
* get the other side of the stormwater runoff story, companies that don't want regulation tightened or that will have to spend money and time to comply with the new requirements
* Department of Ecology sets new limits on stormwater runoff: Down To Earth NW 10/21/09 DOE is raising the standards for industrial and corporate permit holders for stormwater runoff to decrease pollution, especially of copper and zinc. This relates very specifically to my document story because I will be looking at water pollution and DOE regulations.
* Think before you don real fur items: Daily Evergreen 11/2/09 A Life column about the environmental and ethical impacts of wearing real fur. This relates to my beat because it is an environmental impact that everyday citizens can have an effect on.
Story Ideas:
* getting kids involved in local and organic food
* get the other side of the stormwater runoff story, companies that don't want regulation tightened or that will have to spend money and time to comply with the new requirements
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Peer Edit
1. The 2,800-square-foot, four-bedroom house will be built on a concrete foundation. (passive)
2. Eastern Washington could be a renewable energy leader if people understood the benefits, said Carlton, owner of Palouse Synergy Systems.
3. “I got a double with a full bath,” said John Gardner, WSU vice president of economic development and global engagement. “I lived in Gannon-Golds for two years, and then I switched over here—[this is a] huge difference!”
4. PCEI is offering workshops to teach locals to value and know how to use sustainable techniques, she said.
5. “The new dorm is likely to receive the silver rating,” Gardner said.
there needs to be something between here
"Everything we do has a consequence,” Englund said about sustainability methods, consumption, and ecological footprints. “We just have to be aware [of] the butterfly effect.”
6. He also raises money for student scholarships.
7. She said she has been ostracized in her dorm, and, she might move to another hall. (passive)
8. Though helping to improve Pullman’s atmosphere, SEL does not make Pullman immune from the recession, Sherman said.
2. Eastern Washington could be a renewable energy leader if people understood the benefits, said Carlton, owner of Palouse Synergy Systems.
3. “I got a double with a full bath,” said John Gardner, WSU vice president of economic development and global engagement. “I lived in Gannon-Golds for two years, and then I switched over here—[this is a] huge difference!”
4. PCEI is offering workshops to teach locals to value and know how to use sustainable techniques, she said.
5. “The new dorm is likely to receive the silver rating,” Gardner said.
there needs to be something between here
"Everything we do has a consequence,” Englund said about sustainability methods, consumption, and ecological footprints. “We just have to be aware [of] the butterfly effect.”
6. He also raises money for student scholarships.
7. She said she has been ostracized in her dorm, and, she might move to another hall. (passive)
8. Though helping to improve Pullman’s atmosphere, SEL does not make Pullman immune from the recession, Sherman said.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
doc ideas
Green building regulations in Washington and the Palouse specifically. Documents: building codes, regulations and laws
Reduced carbon footprint lab in the electrical engineering department, get the building documents and find out how env friendly it really is
Erosion control techniques on the Palouse, laws around point source erosion, what the requirements are for local agencies to enforce erosion control
WSU green fund- get documents submitted to ASWSU and students, find out what happened
Co-mingled recycling program
Portland/Seattle green roof legal documents, what incentives are offered, how long they have been offered or required and what are the outcomes
Reduced carbon footprint lab in the electrical engineering department, get the building documents and find out how env friendly it really is
Erosion control techniques on the Palouse, laws around point source erosion, what the requirements are for local agencies to enforce erosion control
WSU green fund- get documents submitted to ASWSU and students, find out what happened
Co-mingled recycling program
Portland/Seattle green roof legal documents, what incentives are offered, how long they have been offered or required and what are the outcomes
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Blog Fun Time
1.a http://www.foia.cia.gov/Top25PhrasesMonthly.asp
July: UFO August:UFO September: Guatemala
b. Lithuania
2.Are drastic swings in CRCT scores valid? document: test scores
Business as usual, even without permit document: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection records
3.https://www.splc.org/legal_request.asp
4. no
5. http://www.doioig.gov/upload/Smith%20REDACTED%20FINAL_080708%20Final%20with%20transmittal%209_10%20date.pdf
July: UFO August:UFO September: Guatemala
b. Lithuania
2.Are drastic swings in CRCT scores valid? document: test scores
Business as usual, even without permit document: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection records
3.https://www.splc.org/legal_request.asp
4. no
5. http://www.doioig.gov/upload/Smith%20REDACTED%20FINAL_080708%20Final%20with%20transmittal%209_10%20date.pdf
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