7/29/2019 Real_Food_for_Kids_Board_of_Ed-ltr_mar_2013.docx

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Good Morning. I am Karen Devitt, the parent of a 7th

grader at SSI middle school, here today to

introduce Real Food for Kids Montgomery (RFKM), the organization I co-founded with Lindsey

Parsons, another MCPS parent.

RFKM is a grass-roots, parent advocacy group, committed to helping MCPS serve delicious, fresh, whole

and nutrient-rich foods to the children in our community. We seek to collaborate with MCPS,

recognizing that wholesome food is an educational investment that leads to academic success,

improved behavior, and better health outcomes.

RFKM currently has representatives in 40 schools with a goal of at least one parent in each school. Our

first priorities include: improving communication and transparency about what is served in the schools;

eliminating products with harmful additives; and surveying snack items in order to propose healthier

alternatives.

As the largest school system in Maryland and a leader in so many ways, we believe MCPS has the

resources, expertise, and committed parental voice to effect positive change.

There is a growing body of evidence that many physical, behavioral, and cognitive problems in children

are due to the Standard American Diet (SAD): a diet of added sugars, preservatives, and highly

processed foods.

In the last two decades, the four childhood diseases of Asthma, Autism, Allergies and ADHD have

exploded to near epidemic proportions. Significant research links these problems to diet. In 2010, more

than one-third of children were overweight or obese. If the trend isnt reversed, about 1 in 3 Americans

will develop Type 2 diabetes by 2050. This high rate is linked to sugar intake: per capita sugar

consumption in the US has quintupled in the last 20 years.

Currently MCPS cafeterias and competitive food offerings support these unhealthy food trends.

For example, every day of the school year MCPS sells chocolate and strawberry milk with more sugar

than a Hersheys chocolate bar. Efforts to remove or limit the availability of this product would be a

good step.

Removing chemical additives from MCPS food would also make a positive difference to all children, and

especially to those who are chemically sensitive. Imagine the improved lives and cost savings if only a

small percentage of the over 17,000 students receiving special education and related services would

need fewer such services.

With a 32.3% FARMS rate overall, we have a responsibility to provide the best possible food we can for

students, especially for those whose only source of food may be MCPS.

I am here to ask for your collaboration and support in our mission. Id also like to invite you to our

inaugural event, a screening ofCafeteria Man this Friday at 7:30 pm in the Takoma Park Community

Center. Its going to take a village to create real change in MCPS cafeterias. We hope this film will

inspire you and many others to join us on this journey. Thank you.