CBC MARKETPLACE: YOUR HEALTH » CAFETERIA FOOD
Cafeteria confidential: Students take aim at food choices
Broadcast: January 2, 2005

“I’ve often wondered why high schools, a place that helps shape the rest of our lives, have such bad quality food,” says Allison.

Allison Elwell is a grade 11 student. She’s a little sad to be nearly done with high school – she’s learned a lot and made a lot of friends.

But Allison says there are a few things she won’t miss: early morning classes, homework, and cafeteria food.

“I’ve often wondered why high schools, a place that helps shape the rest of our lives, have such bad quality food,” says Allison.

“When you consider good food is proven to help students learn, what are adults thinking when they stock our cafeterias? Maybe they should eat a little more brain food.”

Take a quick glance around a high school cafeteria. The first thing you might notice is the pop machine, packed with sugary, caffeinated goodness.

Allison wonders: "When you consider good food is proven to help students learn, what are adults thinking when they stock our cafeterias?"

Allison spent her entire Grade 10 year trying to get those machines out of schools, but failed (Coke has moved on, but Pepsi got the contract to put vending machines in Toronto District School Board schools).

And while she was down after losing the battle with the soft drink companies, Allison was not out – far from it. Allison has decided to come back for more.

“This time I’m taking on cafeteria food,” she says. “I’m convinced most of the food is not only unhealthy, and doesn’t taste great.”

With the help of a group called FoodShare, Allison convened a group of like-minded students who were concerned about what students are being offered at cafeterias.

“This time I’m taking on cafeteria food," says Allison.

The group, whose members hail from schools across Toronto, meet in secret at an undisclosed basement location and discuss their plight:

“I haven’t been to my high school cafeteria since grade nine,” remarks one of the posse, Zoe. “I remember the first day … the food was so bad, I haven’t really been back since.”

“The only healthy choices in my school right now are vegetables with dip and sandwiches,” laments Ryan. “And that’s it.”