Dear WCCUSD Board & Administration,

As a member of the West Contra Costa School District community, we support increasing access to healthy, and whole, fruits and vegetables in our school lunch program. We believe that the installation of salad bars in Richmond schools is one great way to increase access to healthy, whole foods, instill healthy eating habits and help prevent childhood obesity in our community.

Given that Richmond students receive two or more of their daily meals, and a majority of their weekday caloric intake, from the WCCUSD School Nutrition Program, it is imperative that we take steps as a community to increase the nutrient density of the foods served to our kids.

Childhood obesity is at an all-time high. In 2008–2009, an estimated 3,136 fifth-graders  in Contra Costa were overweight or obese. Latino and African American fifth-graders were more likely to be overweight or obese than fifth-graders in the county overall.  Additionally, West Contra Costa Unified School District had the greatest number of overweight or obese fifth-graders of all CCC school districts.

We believe the  installation of salad bars in Richmond schools is in alignment with the WCCUSD Food Services Department’s commitment to provide healthy school meals and snacks to the students of the WCCUSD and to support student academic success through the promotion of healthful eating habits that lead to lifelong positive nutrition practices.

School salad bars meet the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program nutrition guidelines prescribed by The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The law was designed to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity by providing healthier choices to students.

In order to help make this positive change, the Richmond Food Policy Council has  identified funds to support the installation of  four salad bars in Richmond schools.

We encourage the WCCUSD to begin to change the nutritional density  of school lunches in Richmond, re-examine our commitment to our students health and to ultimately begin the journey to healthy eating and active living starting with this Healthy School Food Initiative to install salad bars in every Richmond school. Richmond and all of our West Contra Costa County students deserve a healthy future.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature & Contact Information Here]