Chef Nicole is Going To The White House

CTbites' own Time to Eat! chef Nicole Straight is heading to the White House on Friday to participate in First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign to help bring about healthier choices to local schools.  "I am so thrilled to be a part of this, it's about time people begin taking our children's health seriously." Chef Nicole has been teaching busy parents in the tri-state area how to prepare delicious and healthy meals for their families for the past 9 years.  We at CTbites have been lucky enough to sample many of her quick and tasty meals, and we hope she has shown all you busy parents out there how easy it is to make great 15 minute meals for your families. 

As a working mother of 2, Chef Nicole sees the types of foods that kids are eating at school.  "We live in one of the wealthiest towns in the country, I can not understand why our kids are being offered such unhealthy lunches at school, this has to change." I couldn't agree more. We wish her luck. 

Here is the official press release from the White House.

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release

May 13, 2010

First Lady Michelle Obama Launches "Chefs Move to Schools" Program

THE WHITE HOUSE – As communities and organizations get behind the First Lady’s Let’s Move! campaign to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation, one group that could have a tremendous impact on the health and well being of children is the Nation’s chefs. As part of her effort to turn policies into practical solutions for America’s families, Mrs. Obama is calling on chefs to get involved by adopting a school and working with teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to help educate kids about food and nutrition.  By creating healthy dishes that taste good, chefs have a unique ability to deliver these messages in a fun and appealing way to the larger audience, particularly children.

The “Chefs Move to Schools” program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will pair chefs with interested schools in their communities so together they can create healthy meals that meet the schools’ dietary guidelines and budgets, while teaching young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choices.  With more than 31 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participating in the National School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at school is more important than ever. 

“Many children consume as many as half of their daily calories at school and as families work to ensure that kids eat right and have active play at home, we also need to ensure our kids have access to healthy meals in their schools,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “We are going to need everyone’s time and talent to solve the childhood obesity epidemic and our Nation’s chefs have tremendous power as leaders on this issue because of their deep knowledge of food and nutrition and their standing in the community.  I want to thank them for joining the Let’s Move! campaign.”

“Chefs and nutrition experts can play a critical role in addressing the childhood obesity crisis, and they are welcome partners as we work together to improve the overall health and nutrition of America’s children,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “By passing a strong reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, Congress can provide important resources to improve school cafeteria equipment and expand training opportunities for chefs, school food service personnel, and nutrition experts in our schools, because they will be on the front lines of improving school meals for our kids.”

“School cafeterias are the frontline for fostering a healthy lifestyle for children,” said Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “This initiative is a creative and vital opportunity for children to learn and practice healthy habits. When partnerships between schools and the broader community are created, everyone wins.”