Fat Cats in Washington

You've heard that expression, right? All this time I thought it was in reference to their financial situation, but in light of certain legislation that was just passed, I'm wondering if it is, in fact, referring to their weight. The legislation that I'm talking about is proposing that tomato sauce (that's used in pizza) be allowed to "count" as a vegetable when planning school lunches. If these guys think pizza is a vegetable, then OF COURSE they're fat! The article in the Washington Post states "Currently, one-eighth of a cup of tomato paste is credited with as much nutritional value as a half-cup of vegetables and thus counts as one vegetable serving. In effect, that enables food makers to market pizzas as vegetables... The USDA’s plan to cut back on tomato paste and potatoes is part of a larger proposal to make school meals more nutritious. The USDA has estimated that revamping the entire school meals program would cost $6.8 billion over the next five years, in part because it would involve doubling the amount of fruits and vegetables served." Not looking at the price tag, this sounds fantastic to me! DOUBLING the fruits and veggies served!??! That would mean that kids might actually get close to having those 5 a day they're actually supposed to have! Looking at the price tag, it does look a little pricey, but the article doesn't state what the current cost of junky lunches is so I don't really have a comparison. Good food costs more. I think it's worth it when you take into account the tole bad food takes on your body and the health benefits of healthy food. These kids don't have a choice in the lunch line. They've been at school all day, they're hungry, they'll eat what's in front of them (to some extent). Giving them the fuel they need to make it through the day is SO important, especially when you look at the statistics of childhood hunger. (· 16.2 million kids in America struggle with hunger. (Source: USDA Household Food Security in the United States) This healthy school lunch may not be the only healthy meal they get all day, it may be the ONLY meal they eat all day.