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more on linda's travails in trying to start day care...

Currently public schools are under the same USDA food program as are Day care

and senior programs. In this program you can serve tripe, but NOT tvp or tofu,

or soy protein products. They do allow TVP if it is mixed with meat in a set

proportion. I personally pinned my own food program rep to the wall about this.

Her own daughter is a vegetarian, so she does in part understand what I am

saying. She told me that she could get " alternate protein products " approved

for me to use if I provide them with a CN (child Nutrition ) Label. Basically

this is a voluntary program a company can participate in, in which the food

company can have their product evaluated by the USDA food and nutrition services

(USDA/FNS) They determine the products contribution toward the meal pattern

requirements. In order for a product to carry a CN label, they must be produced

under federal inspection by either the USDA or the USDC(U.S. Dept of Commerce)

and have the contribution determined using !

yields in the USDA Food Buying Guide. ( wonder if ANYTHING healthy can be found

in this book?)

 

Now I suppose the tripe has a CN label? Geez... The whole food program is a

JOKE and was set up to support to insure agriculture interest for the meat and

dairy industries. They operate under the guise of insuring proper nutrition for

EVERY child and senior in any program across the nation. Say tofu or soy milk

(especially soy milk!) and listen to them squeal! I have and they do not like

it at all. I was given a reason for the tofu in that there is no industry

standard for making tofu.... I do not believe that is the real reason they will

not allow it on the program. If this were the case they could set a standard

and say you can use tofu on the program as long as it meets the pre set

standards.

 

I have contacted several companies that make " alternative protein " products

such as Light Life, Yves and a couple more. NONE of them even know what a CN

Label is. And I would suppose that it would be hard for them to get one due to

the fact that the meat and dairy industries DO NOT make a dime on their

products.

 

Some of you asked what I will do next with trying to change the regulations....

I plan on writing some kind of thesis and presenting it to my local director.

I think the first step is to have them bend the regulations for me, or give me a

waver to they ones I do not like. But Even though I do not have a well thought

out plan I do not intend to sop trying until every kid and old person in the

land is free to drink soy and rice milk and have a good veggie burger for lunch,

instead of having to suck down cow pus and flesh. I am currently trying to

think of a few ways to get some media attention for my cause. I am grateful for

the support I have her on the board. They have been many time I have very

alone in my efforts... Just me against the USDA and Dairy industries! Yikes!!!

Blessings