Even McDonalds in Italy is trying to go local. Italy is probably best known for gelato, pasta, pizza, and other classic cuisine choices. However, it seems that Italy is turning a new leaf and is welcoming a more “modern” approach to food.  The McItaly – as it has so been called – is made with all Italian produce.  With olive oil, smoked pancetta, onion and asiago cheese, these burgers hardly resemble the traditional happy meal. “This sandwich has great ambitions,” said the Italian agriculture minister.

We’ll just see about that.

There’s been a lot of news about food whirling around recently. The most exciting chunk of news is delivered by Mr. Obama himself: despite the budget freeze, he has still managed to fund the Child Nutrition programs with 10 billion dollars. Although it’s a difficult time and all, we’re glad that Barack still has his priorities straight and helps children in need. But then again, we shouldn’t be too surprised. Barack isn’t the first in the Obama family to help child nutrition; Michelle Obama is leading a national campaign against child obesity.

They’re not the first politicians who are attempting to better children’s health food.  Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York, often boasts of greatly reducing the calories in school lunches. However, less calories that doesn’t necessarily mean healthier. School lunches in New York still maintain absurdly high fructose and corn syrup levels, and are highly processed. Sure the calories have decreased, but the Bloomberg administration is just giving fast food a friendly face.

However, one school in New York is ready to make a difference. They are installing a $1.6 million schoolyard garden behind P.S. 216.  The school will grow their own food and cook their lunches from it, The school principal, Celia Kaplinski, plans to integrate science, history, art and math with the help of this Edible Schoolyard. It is the most expensive schoolyard ever made, and also the only one to function year-round. The kids will grow the produce themselves, eat healthy lunches, and learn the entire time throughout.

Massachusetts has also been trying to reform school lunches. A bill is going to the senate issuing that schools must sell vegetables, fruits, whole grain, and dairy products. That means no more additives or other questionable substances. We hope that the MA senate passes this bill against junk food.

People tend to learn positive eating habits as children growing up, so school lunches actually carry a lot of weight. The habits they pick up now will stay with them for the rest of their lives. If all of these improvements follow through, the average school cafeteria will be a happy place.