Weekend Reading - and Fun

Reading

School Meals That Rock has posted Part 3 of 3 on why kids may be hungry - with or without the changes we're seeing this year to the school lunch program. After reading this, you may wish to donate to our local food bank.

And the USDA continues to fight back against reports that students are rejecting the new healthier meals. They just sent out a press release on an article printed here showing poll results from California approving of the lunch changes. 

I am feeling relieved that our school district isn't just now getting around to taking incredibly high-fat and high-salt snacks out of vending machines. Some schools are trying to now - apparently afraid that Flamin' Hot Cheetos are highly addictive.  Read the story and don't miss the link to the video where kids rap about their deep and abiding love for the hot Cheetos.

According to Food Safety News, THOUSANDS of schools are going without the required number of inspections for their lunch programs. In New York for the last period reported (2010-2011), 748 schools were not inspected at all.

A new study links BPA and childhood obesity.

The Blog of Bruce Bradley has really gone after Quaker recently - asking (legitimately) do they sell food anymore? 

Downloads

Get a pocket guide to buying local, sustainable fish from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.


Fun

The Civic Association's annual Cider Social is in (our) Central Park from 3-4.

Glenhead's Fire Dept has their open house Sunday from 12-3. It is fun for kids.

See 5,000 hand-carved, lit jack-o-lanterns at Old Westbury House and Gardens. You must buy tickets in advance -- or at least watch the video of the event.

Old Bethpage Restoration Village hosts their Haunted Halloween this weekend.

Clark Botanic Gardens will run their annual Spooky and Not-so-Spooky walks this weekend.

The Queens County Farm Museum has a Children's Fall Festival on Sunday and a haunted house all weekend.

The New York Hall of Science has a big slate of Halloween-themed activities including using their 19' catapult to smash pumpkins.