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We often read about Detroit Public Schools shortcomings. So this may come as a surprise: The district's lunch program is among the nation's most progressive and nutritious, according to Tom Perkins of Metro Times:
You'll find whole, lean muscle meat that's served with vegetables like yellow squash pulled from small gardens outside the district's schools, or from local Michigan growers. The pizza is made with a whole grain crust, and the menu is varied and interesting...Its cafeterias are considered the standard for large public schools, and DPS received worldwide recognition for its nutrition program.
That said, there are concerns the program might be in jeopardy.
Its former executive director of the Office of School Nutrition, Betti Wiggins, built up the program over the last 10 years, but recently left for a position with the Houston Independent School District.
That concerns local food activists who want to ensure the high quality of the program continues, Perkins writes.
"While there are so many things going wrong with the schools, we have this award winning — not just nationally, but internationally — wonderful program, assembled with a great staff that didn't get a lot of attention," Winona Bynum, executive director of the Detroit Food Policy Council, tells Metro Times. "So we want to make sure the district doesn't abandon it."
