As most of you know I just finished reading Food Politics by Marion Nestle not too long ago. While it took me a while to get through the book, I enjoyed it thoroughly and I learned a lot. One specific section that has stuck in my mind was that which addressed food brands and companies in schools.
Aside from my growing issues with the influence food companies have on our children and their health, this topic brought up some things from my time in elementary school – food related incentives.
Candy was a big deal in third grade. We were asked to learn things like our spelling words or memorize bits of info in exchange for taffy or a candy bar. Even as a kid that age, who struggled with weight ( as in a little on the chubby side), I often told the teacher I didn’t want to participate. Then, I blamed it on not wanting the candy, which they thought was weird, but I think it may have been more that I didn’t want to do the homework!
Despite these little candy rewards here and there, looking back I don’t feel that this was quite as powerful as the influence of food brands. According to the book these are growing beyond belief. Isolated schools are making changes, but it still remains a powerful force when it comes to lunches and rewards.
I was a big reader in grade school, I still am. But at that time in my life all my reading paid off in the form of individual pizzas from a popular pizza chain. I loved that program. I would read and read all summer in order to get my pizza.
Then, it all seemed so innocent. My parents didn’t view it as a big deal either. I mean, hey, I was reading and increasing my knowledge and all foods in moderation, right? I try not to overreact to these types of things now days, but it is difficult when you look back as a health conscious adult and realize how much that company was trying to brand me and how my school was letting them do it for money.
There were other food-based programs when I was in school, but for some reason this one really sticks out in my mind. Maybe it was my favorite, I don’t know. It is just another one of those realizations I have that I am fortunate to have become a healthy adult who knows the value of nourishing food. I, of course, had my mom trying to get me to eat healthy and my dad providing fresh foods from the garden, but some kids aren’t so blessed.
If you don’t have kids, what programs do you remember from school and how do you feel about them now?
If you do have kids, I’m really interested in knowing how you handle these food brands and incentives when it comes to your own children.
PS. Much to the likely disappointment of that pizza chain, their branding didn’t seem to work. It is by far my least favorite pizza today. Not sure why that is. Maybe some others had more influence on me.
Photo of one of my favorite pizzas in Lexington, KY from Mellow Mushroom. So many veggies it weighs a ton!
So crazy- I never really thought about this? While I don’t think this is the best rewards system (maybe they should do a fun trip to a theme park instead??), I’m not sure that its all bad though….. Isn’t a fun treat of pizza every ONCE in a while (i.e. at the end of a read a thon) ok? Gosh…parents have to handle so much, makes me nervous to be one, one day
It’s really messed up in my opinion to reward kids with sugar and chemicals. Good job! Here’s some poison! y’know?
Marion Nestle is the best. Do you visit her blog too? Smart lady.
Right now I’m reading and really enjoying Real Food by Nina Planck.
I just got that book from the library and have been reading her blog on the Atlantic, super interesting subject! I remember the pizza program you describe and my husband had a “free burger for each A” program at the local golden arches (fed the whole family! Haha!). I am torn about it too. Everything in moderation is my motto but I know that many people forget about the moderation part in practice. Generally it’s pretty slimy on the part of the food company, in my opinion.
I don’t know how I’d handle food incentives. Now, I don’t think they’re a great idea. But as a kid I loved them. I never thought about food as a kid. I enjoyed food incentives, but that wasn’t my incentive. I’d like my kids to approach food the same way – where it’s just a part of life – eat what you want and need but not too much. I listened to my body better as a little kid.
I’ve GOT to read that book! You’ve hit on a subject near and dear to my heart. My son will start kindergarten next year, and I am bracing myself for what we’ll find. School lunches are bad enough, but I think that even worse is the peer pressure – the friend who has junk food disguised as something healthy (and parents who don’t know the difference). Then you throw teachers and parents who want to reward everything with a sweet…ugh. We’re certainly not perfect with our eating, but something about the whole scenario is just messed up.
I think it’s unfortunate that food companies use programs like this to promote their junk food to kids. However, I think the lunch food that most schools serve to kids on a daily basis is more of a problem because it’s impacting many more kids and on a much more regular basis.
When I was in high school, I had a cheeseburger and french fries with a soda for lunch just about every day and would often follow it up with candy or an ice cream sandwich. I obviously can’t blame the school for putting that food in my mouth, but it would still be nice to see schools make more of an effort to promote real food.
I guess the problem is that most of the people who are in charge of school lunch programs don’t know much more about good nutrition than the kids they’re serving.
I don’t remember there being any food branding while I was in school but I graduated from high school 25 years ago & I know a lot has changed. What I find interesting is that they say most peoples eating habits are influenced the most by commercials!
I don’t really remember any food branding in our schools as a kid. In elementary school, we would be rewarded with things like stickers usually, not treats. There was no lunch served in elementary school – we all brought our food form home.
And even in junior high & high school, the only brands you saw were the pop machines in the hallway. I can’t say there was much more “infiltration” of branding than that, and again, food wasn’t ever a reward from our teachers.
I’d be quite interested to read that book. I’ll have to put it on my list.
interesting post yep shouldn’t use food as a reward and what about those vending machines!!
Thanks for all the great comments!
Erica – I’ve had the same views about the occasional treat when it comes to schools, especially when parents want to cut out something like a pizza party to celebrate the end of the year. I guess the issue becomes if it is only happening once in a while or all the time. Agreed. 🙂
Michelle – I think messed up is a good way to describe it. I ofetn feel the same. Yeah, I’ve just started keeping up with her blog. Thanks to you! I think you mentioned it one time. That book is on my list!
Laura Lynn – You’ll love the book. I knew there was a lot of branding in schools before reading it, but the book showed me just how much. Pretty unbelieveable.
Alison – Great point and I agree. I listened to my body much better as a kid too although I’m trying to get better at it as an adult.
cathy – As I commented to Michelle, totally agree with the messed up view. That sums it up. The peer pressure has to be a huge issue for sure. Many parents out there aren’t on the healthy track so that has to be hard when the kids want to be friends.
Vin – Yeah, the lunch program does reach a lot more. Probably a much stronger influence there. Fortunately I was in a group who always brought theirs, well, except for pizza day. 🙂 I think it may not be so much the knowledge of the food service workers, but more with what they have available from the USDA and the funds they have to purchase food. Many I worked with wanted to make changes, but couldn’t. However, it is different in every school and situation.
kat – Great point. Sometimes I wonder how much we over or underestimate different venues and their influence – home watching tv, schools, etc. I honestly think there was more branding in my grade school than high school. Seems odd now that I think of it.
Marianne – How interesting. Sounds like your school was on a better track. Our high school had unhealthy food, but there wasn’t much branding there. Just the vending machines similar to what you mentioned. I think that is why the book really opened my eyes. You will enjoy it if you get the chance to read it.
Chow and Chatter – A huge issue for sure. I especially hate to see them in the elementary schools. States in the US set operation hours for them, but usually don’t have the man power to enforce the rules so schools keep them on all day to make money. Sad.
Interesting topic…I think that I just remember some chocolate brand that we sold every year, I don’t remember as much of the school rewards except for candy treats…I think I will have to check out that book.
There are food reward programs as part of school? (I only went to a few grades in high school in US so I have no clue 🙂 Sounds like I’ll be dealing with these issues next year when my daughter goes to kindergarten. I would like to believe that she will make choices on the basis of the what we teach her about eating healthy at home.
Sounds like a great book, I’ll have to check it out! In elementary school we HAD to drink a small carton of milk every day. I hated it. I’ve never liked milk and now know that I do much better when I avoid all dairy. i think I actually feel anxious as a result of eating dairy and wheat. i wish I knew then what I know now…but kids don’t have the “voice”/power and are subject to what is given in school lunch and school branding programs…so unfortunate because I do think it is more of a direct link to behavioral, emotional problems then we realize!
I gather that food rewards programs are much more prevalent in the US. There was nothing like that here in Ireland when I was going to school – I only recall the school milk program, where, for a while, we would get small cartons of milk every day. I’m not sure what it’s like in schools here now but one thing that my sister (who has 4 kids) has told me about is the “food dudes” program, which is all about encouraging kids to get familiar with fruit and veg. Better than plying them with candy and pizza!
The presence of big food industry in schools and the idea of food rewards may have become more prevalent after I graduated HS because I don’t recall them. But then again, my focus of attention was pretty narrow before my 20s!
These read-for-pizza programs seem to be more about quantity than quality and don’t really encourage a love of reading. The food industry was savvy enough to realize that garnering brand loyalty can’t start early enough. So why doesn’t our educational system fight fire with fire and institute cooking and nutritional classes, beginning in elementary school? We don’t have to churn out Le Cordon Bleu-level 6th graders but at least planting the seeds of healthy food choices may help buffer them against the enticements of junk foods.
What a thought provoking post-never looked at it this way!!
Growing up in India we were rewarded by trophies and certificates-food/sweets/chocs were never on the agenda!! No idea how it is now-will only get to know when we go back and when my son starts going to school(he’s two now)
Actually,now that you pointed out:here,he get’s a lollipop(lolly)after a haircut.So,now he associates haircut with getting a lollipop.He’s gonna be sorely disappointed once he goes back to India-I don’t think the salons there do any such thing!
Food is a concerning reward system. We need to get away from it, especially for kids.
Marion Nestle is brilliant!
I work for the Utah Department of Health. Utah schools can participate in a program called Gold Medal Schools. In order to get an award they have to agree to certain things, like not rewarding the kids with food, start a walking program, tobacco free campus,etc. It is a great program that all schools could benefit from. Here is the link if you are interested: http://health.utah.gov/hearthighway/gms/
I remember LOVING to read food descriptions in books, like a lot of the stuff in “Little House in the Big Woods.” It’s probably because it was foods I didn’t get to eat at home. I loved Home Economics, where they taught us how to bake. Again, stuff I didn’t get to do at home.
Funny, now that I am an adult, I never bake!
Emily – Oh yeah, I remember the candy bars too. Definitely check out the book.
5 Star Foodie – I think it definitely starts at home. You’ll likely have less problems to deal with regarding the issue. Many schools are changing so hopefully by the time she gets there things will be getting better.
Jolene – You bring up a great point. I had never really thought about milk and tolerence issues in kids.
Daily Spud – Yes, unfortunately on most health issues and food related topics we are on the bad side. Maybe one day we’ll get better. I am happy of the fact that there are places in this world different than us though. It gives me hope that we’ll get there (or go back to that) one day. Love the sound of that program.
Tangled Noodle – I agree. Some isolated schools are taking steps, but the influences are still very strong. We have a long way to go.
Sweta – It will be interesting to learn about the differences for sure. I didn’t realize you had plans to return to India in the near future. Is that time coming up soon?
Sagan – I agree. I especially like her because she has worked within the system and still speaks out about it.
Maria – That is a great program. I worked closely with the Dept of Edu in KY. We were making small steps in the right direction, but it sounds like you all are ahead in the area for sure.
Actors Diet – Thanks for stopping by. I didn’t have Home Econ in school, but I hope that is something that is still sticking around. It is definitely a place to start with teaching about healthy foods and preparing them.
My son’s school is constantly teaming up with food places. Some I don’t mind as much (small local pizza places, local burrito joint). Others drive me up the wall ie: the dreded McDonalds. The teachers work at the icky place for 2 hours so the kids can order their burgers from their teachers. Why?
I do believe that you can educate your children though and this branding will have no effect. My son knows we don’t eat that food and therefore doesn’t expect us to get food from there. Only on occasion do we go to the local places. Sure there’s candy given at school, but I think there comes a point when they need to learn to make wise choices.
We use food as rewards for good grades, but it’s from a pool of acceptable places. He loves sushi. At the end of the year we all go to a sushi restaurant and enjoy a fresh meal together. I think it’s the fact that we’re all celebrating together that makes it so special. I believe food should be used for celebrating. We do it most holidays. Why not use these opportunities to teach our children the right foods to celebrate with?
My kids know that McDonalds is a money hungry poison factory. I’ve even let them try it. They weren’t impressed. Kids are very smart armed with the right information.
tallmisto – Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I tend to lead toward the side that parents can have a stronger influence on a child’s eating than those companies can. You and your son are a great example of that. Thanks for sharing!