With pupils' health in mind, school eliminates junk food
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer
Students at the Holy Family School, East County Line Road, Lakewood, lined up around the concession stand of their renamed cafeteria Eagles' Nest Café - "Where Manners Are Always Welcome." The pupils held dollar bills and waited for a chance to purchase items such as Austin's peanut butter cheese crackers, Ritz Handi- Snacks, Quaker Oats chewy granola bars and Polly-O mozzarella string cheese.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Candy, soda and chips are out at the Holy Family School cafeteria, replaced in the Lakewood Catholic school by a selection of healthy foods. As she makes her way along the line, Lauren Pace, 11, of Beachwood, selects an applesauce cup.

The assortment of healthy snacks now being sold in the Eagles' Nest Café is an initiative endorsed by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Model School Nutrition Policy.

Holy Family School, the parish school of the Catholic Community of Saint Mary of the Lake, is a private Catholic institution that does not have to comply with the policy. However, according to school officials, teaching children how to make better food choices is the right thing to do. The school enrolls about 450 children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, according to its Internet Web site.

Carol D'Aloia, director of marketing for the Catholic Community of Saint Mary of the Lake said the program is aimed at promoting healthy eating in life.

She said the reopening of the Holy Family School cafeteria and its new name will hopefully set a trend that encourages a healthier lifestyle. Instead of asking for a bag of potato chips, pupils will be encouraged to ask for an apple. D'Aloia said administrators are hoping parents will get on board with the healthy effort and follow suit.

Parent Michael Platt, who was diagnosed with diabetes nearly seven years ago, said he thinks the new nutrition program is a fantastic idea.

"This program promotes mind and body through nutrition. By teaching the children to eat healthy now, it is likely there could be a decrease in obesity, diabetes and other life complications," Platt said.

According to policy guidelines, there is to be no sale or promotion of "foods with minimal nutritional value; all food and beverage items listing sugar, in any form, as the first ingredient; all forms of candy; and schools shall reduce the purchase of any products containing trans fats."

According to Somary Contreras, an assistant kindergarten teacher, this is a small role schools can play in the battle against obesity.

"This is a wonderful program that gets the school involved with the nutrition of our students. We play a small but vital part," Contreras said.

All 100 pupils who gathered in the dining area on a recent day seemed to enjoy the new food choices. As the lunch period passed, many of the pupils patronized the concession stand more than once. They enjoyed the food or were motivated by tickets to Six Flags Great Adventure that were an incentive when they purchased a bottle of V8 Fusion, a fruit juice that combines vegetables and fruit.

The Eagles' Nest Café established a menu for September and October to help the pupils continue the healthy eating effort. The selections on the menu include chicken quesadilla wraps, ziti with meatballs and marinara sauce, salad bar Wednesday and many more.

Lunch coordinator Mary Turnbach said when children have healthier options presented to them, the junk food is "out of sight, out of mind."