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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    School Lunches, the Food Lobby and the First Lady

    First Lady Michelle Obama may not be lecturing kids about obesity and heart disease, but she does want them eating their fruits and vegetables . Nationwide, most districts are complying with nutritional standards she's pushed for the federal school lunch program, even though it's not easy.

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    By Warren Olney • Jun 3, 2014 • 1 min read

    First Lady Michelle Obama may not be lecturing kids about obesity and heart disease, but she does want them eating their fruits and vegetables. Nationwide, most districts are complying with nutritional standards she's pushed for the federal school lunch program, even though it's not easy. But in some districts, kids are throwing the healthy stuff into the trashcans and, now, the multi-billion dollar processed-food industry is raising its voice. Congress is considering "waivers" for schools to opt out. Is it Washington's role to save a new generation from obesity and heart disease? Why has the School Nutrition Association changed sides? Will kids get the last word on what goes into their bodies?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Legislating Lunches: Who Should Decide What We Feed Our Kids?
    1. 0:00Obama's "Solidarity Event" in Poland Is Aimed at Russia
    2. 8:12School Lunches, the Food Lobby and the First LadyYou’re reading this
    3. 41:19John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Benjamin Gottlieb

      Reporter, Fill-in Host

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Caitlin Shamberg

      KCRW

    • KCRW placeholder

      Tom Hamburger

      investigative reporter for the Washington Post

    • KCRW placeholder

      Lyman Graham

      New Mexico School Districts

    • KCRW placeholder

      Donna Martin

      Burke County Board of Education

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Legislating Lunches: Who Should Decide What We Feed Our Kids?
    1. 0:00Obama's "Solidarity Event" in Poland Is Aimed at Russia
    2. 8:12School Lunches, the Food Lobby and the First LadyYou’re reading this
    3. 41:19John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
    Back to To the Point