At the heart of Empathy School lies a simple yet revolutionary idea: the power of a well-timed snack. Imagine walking through the halls and encountering a veritable cornucopia of fruit, not just one or two varieties, but eight.
4.1 Nutrition at Empathy School
Yes, eight different types of fruit, every single day, are available for the taking. It’s a feast for the senses and the mind, an all-you-can-eat buffet that defies the traditional constraints of snack times.
But we don’t stop there. While we do have two designated snack times, we understand that hunger doesn’t adhere to a strict schedule. That’s why we’ve made it so that kids can access these nutritional treasures at any time. It’s an open invitation to nourish their bodies whenever they feel the need, without the worry of breaking any rules.
And as the day draws to a close, we introduce one final act of culinary kindness: the end-of-day snack time. It’s our way of ensuring that our students leave our campus not just educated, but also comfortable and supported. In a world where the timing of a meal can influence decisions as grave as parole judgments, we’ve chosen to err on the side of abundance. Because here, we believe that a well-fed student is a student ready to conquer the world.
Picture this: an all-you-can-eat spread, a veritable feast for the senses, but with a twist – it’s entirely plant-based. Yes, you heard it right. Every dish, every morsel is rooted in the earth, a celebration of nature’s bounty.
Why, you might ask? The answer lies in our identity as educators. We’re not just here to teach math and science; we’re here to cultivate a lifestyle, to sow the seeds of healthy eating habits in the fertile minds of our students. And we’re well aware of the battleground that the dinner table can become when it comes to vegetables. It’s a universal struggle for parents, a daily tug-of-war between nutrition and preference.
So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to be allies in this endeavor. By introducing our students to a variety of plant-based dishes, we’re gently nudging them toward a greener plate. It’s our way of supporting our parents, of making the journey towards healthy eating a shared adventure. After all, if we can turn broccoli into a beloved snack, what can’t we achieve?
There’s a story that encapsulates the essence of our mission, a tale that speaks volumes about the impact of our plant-based lunches. It’s the story of Ariston, a young boy whose culinary journey took a surprising turn right within our walls.
Ariston’s mother, a woman familiar with the age-old struggle to incorporate greens into her son’s diet, approached me one day with a sparkle in her eyes. She recounted a moment that seemed almost too good to be true. After years of resistance, after countless attempts to introduce vegetables into his meals, Ariston had come home with an unexpected request: “Mama, can I have a carrot?”
Yes, a carrot. This simple root vegetable had become a symbol of transformation. Ariston, who once turned his nose up at anything green, was now a daily consumer of carrots. His mother’s words were a testament to the change we strive to create: “Empathy School changed the way he eats. He eats so much healthier.”
It’s stories like these that remind us of the power of education, not just in academics, but in life. By providing a space where healthy eating is not just encouraged but embraced, we’re helping to shape a generation that sees vegetables not as a chore, but as a choice. And who knows? Today it’s carrots; tomorrow, it could be kale. The possibilities are as endless as they are nutritious. Research by Evans, C. E. L., Christian, M. S., Cleghorn, C. L., Greenwood, D. C., & Cade, J. E. (2012) in the ‘Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health’ supports the idea that a school-based intervention can positively impact children’s fruit and vegetable intake, highlighting the role of education in promoting healthy eating habits among children. The study highlights the role of the school environment as a crucial setting for influencing children’s dietary habits. By integrating nutrition education into the curriculum and creating a supportive food environment, schools can play a significant role in shaping children’s long-term health behaviors.
Another story, Arno’s story is a testament to the transformative power of our approach to food. When he first joined us, he was a four-year-old carrying the weight of an unhealthy diet, primarily consisting of chocolate. It was a concerning sight, to say the least. Obesity at such a tender age is not just a physical burden; it’s a harbinger of potential health issues down the line.
But Arno’s journey didn’t end there. As he immersed himself in the school’s culture, his diet underwent a remarkable transformation. No longer was chocolate the mainstay of his meals. Instead, he embraced the diverse, nutritious offerings of our plant-based lunches. And it wasn’t just Arno who changed; his family took notice. Inspired by his healthier choices, they too began to rethink their eating habits. The ripple effect of one child’s dietary shift was reshaping an entire family’s approach to food.
Today, Arno is a different child. Our sprawling campus, with its myriad opportunities for physical activity, complements his improved diet perfectly. He’s not just fit; he’s thriving, a living embodiment of the positive changes that can occur when healthy eating is prioritized.
This transformation is reflected in every meal we serve. Our menus are meticulously crafted to ensure a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. We adhere to the principle that a plate should resemble a rainbow, a vibrant visual cue of the variety and nutritional value of its contents. We take pride in offering dishes from different cultures, adding a global flavor to our meals while keeping them low in or free from added oils. The occasional exceptions, like a dressed salad, are just that – exceptions, not the norm. Research by Jaime, P. C., & Lock, K. (2009) in the ‘Journal of Public Health Nutrition’ supports the idea that school-based interventions can positively impact children’s dietary behaviors, highlighting the role of educational settings in promoting healthy eating habits among children. The study highlights the significant role that schools can play in shaping children’s dietary behaviors. As children spend a considerable amount of time in school, it is an ideal setting for implementing interventions that encourage healthy eating.
Arno’s story, and the philosophy behind our food, underscores a fundamental truth: healthy eating is not just about the individual; it’s about creating an environment that fosters positive change, one plate at a time.
At Empathy School, the food we serve is not just a means of sustenance; it’s a testament to our dedication to the natural world. Our ingredients are either certified organic or as close to organic as the local landscape allows. It’s a distinction that matters, not just for the health of our students, but for the health of the planet.
Take, for instance, the local farmer who supplies us with mangosteens, those delectable jewels of the fruit world. His farm might not have the official organic certification, but his practices are in harmony with the principles of organic farming. It’s a relationship built on trust and a shared vision for a healthier, more sustainable future.
This approach to food sourcing is a conscious choice, a reflection of our belief in the interconnectedness of all things. We understand that our decisions about what we eat ripple outwards, affecting the environment, the economy, and the very fabric of our community. By choosing organic or near-organic produce, we’re not just nourishing our students; we’re nurturing a way of life that honors the earth and all its inhabitants.