5 things: District removes “Oriental” from menus after parent concerns

Each Friday I compile a list that highlights five things you probably missed in the news that week and why you should care about them. 

Here’s your list for the week of June 12:

1. District removes “Oriental” description from menus

The South Orange Maplewood School District in New Jersey removed the descriptor “Oriental” from its menus in response to parent concerns, saying in a letter to the foodservice provider that the term was “outdated” and “offensive to many families.” The letter said the term “Oriental” was much like the term “negro,” and it brought up an era when Asian-Americans were discriminated against. The foodservice team agreed to remove the term from its menus.

Read more: SOMSD Removes ‘Oriental’ from Lunch Menu in Response to Parent Concerns

2. Student claims cafeteria ran out of food 

A student in a Michigan school district said that the cafeteria ran out of food the last few days before summer break. She said she received four pieces of beef teriyaki while her friend got five, and that when she scanned the lunch line, the offerings were scant. “There’s been no fruit or veggies and, in the nacho or taco line, they ran out of chips and meat,” the student told the Lansing State Journal. The foodservice department admitted that it had run out of some options, but said there were plenty of other menu items available for students.

Read more: Student: School cafeteria ran out of food in final days

3. Hospital hopes to help with childhood hunger

When schools are out for summer, many kids lose access to the free meals they were served during the school year. The UW Health system in Wisconsin is hoping to help ease that burden a bit by offering free meals for children through the USDA’s summer feeding program. In addition, the hospital is beginning to screen patients for food insecurity and will provide information on food pantries and other services if a need is found. 

Read more: UW Health to screen for hunger, provide free meals for children

4. LA community colleges kick out longstanding restaurant partners

There’s always been a concern about town-gown relationships between campus dining programs and local restaurants in college towns, but now there’s a new wrinkle to the puzzle. The Los Angeles Community College District has long had foodservice from a number of different foodservice providers, including Ofir Bass, profiled in this story by the Daily News, who closed two restaurants and spend his own money to open shop on a campus restaurant for the students. Bass will now be forced to close shop as the district has decided to hire one foodservice provider for all its campuses. College administrators say the move will improve efficiency and consistency and save money. Food trucks operators could potentially stay on campus at the discretion of the administration.  

Read more: Mom-and-pop food vendors evicted from Los Angeles community college campuses
 
5.  UK hospital told to hide the sweets

A UK hospital is being told to hide the sweet treats it sells in its café and kiosks. The move is to help promote the sale of healthier items, but some in the hospital say that will reduce sales, the money from which is used to purchase medical equipment.

Read more: Food police ban Royal Derby Hospital volunteers from displaying sugary treats

Bonus: University launches own food brand

Contact Becky Schilling at [email protected].

Follow her on Twitter: @bschilling_FM