SlowFoodUSA

The People of Los Angeles!!

As you all know, the food served at public schools in America is not adequate, but also presents a major obstacle for young people in their ability to thrive and live free of obesity and chronic disease. As you may have heard, Slow Food USA is leading an exciting campaign to help get real food into schools through reform to the Child Nutrition Act, which is up for reauthorization and review by Congress later this year. We have claimed September 7th, 2009, Labor Day, as the National Day of Action to get real food into schools, as opposed to the pre-packaged food that is currently served.

As a volunteer for Slow Food LA, I am looking for help with the Los Angeles campaign. Would you be willing to help? Whether you have 2 minutes or 2 hours to be involved, your support is much appreciated. Here is what you can do:

1) Take 2 minutes and sign the online petition posted on the Slow Food USA website:
http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/campaign/time_for_lunch/
Also, please share this link with your friends and post it on your Facebook or Myspace page.

2) Attend an Eat-in event with your family and friends on Labor Day, September 7th. An Eat-in is a free community potluck with a purpose -- there will be wonderful food, live music, speeches by community leaders, and activities to lobby for change. So far there are 250 Eat-ins planned across the nation on Labor Day, and at least 6 in Los Angeles.

To locate the Eat-in nearest you, see
http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/campaign/time_for_lunch/

Or, for a listing of Eat-ins in the LA area, see: http://www.slowfoodla.com/

3) There are also a number of opportunities to volunteer at the Highland Park event or in preparation for the event. Please contact me at eventura@usc.edu if you are interested in volunteering.

4) Write letters to our federal legislators to speak out for change to school lunches through the Child Nutrition Act. Contact information for legislators in your zip code can be found at http://www.congress.org Even better, lead a group of children in writing letters. Lesson plan is attached. Please forward this to any teachers who would be interested.

Cheers to some delicious change on the horizon!!!