Being a caregiver of two young boys and watching them grow up in our environment helps me understand the importance of healthy eating. They go to a school in New Gloucester and I happened to see their lunch menu one morning. I noticed the school system is using locally grown vegetables, organic food, milk, and juices in hot lunches.

When I was that age, the hot lunch included macoroni and cheese, tacos, pizza, and other greasy foods.

I think that it’s a really awesome thing that some schools are starting to use locally grown vegetables. It is important for our communities. The elementary, middle and high schools should all be taking this as an oppurtunity to better the schools for the children. It makes it easier on the parents to know that their child is not only receiving a proper education, but that they are consuming healthy foods to help them stay nourished and grow.

It is helpful to educate children to eat right and explain the benefits of eating local foods. Many people have fallen into the fast food regimen and that is not healthy for children.

People need to support their local farmers and eat local, eat healthy.

Erika Vanderwerf, Windham