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Community Corner

Great Escape: 'Two Angry Moms'

Movie discusses the need for healthier food in schools

Most of the time, I advocate being selfish and using your time away from the kids as exactly what it is: your time. Get a pedicure or do some volunteer work, but try not to spend it shopping for shoes for your 3-year-old or buying supplies for your 9-year-old’s science fair project. Moms and dads need their own time, too!

But every once and again, something worthwhile comes along that makes me break my rule. That’s where this week’s screening of "Two Angry Moms" fits in. It’s kid-related, but it’s an important topic. So this week I say throw the “be selfish” rule out the window just once.

On Friday night, the Maury, Mt. Vernon and George Mason PTAs are presenting a of “Two Angry Moms” at Mt. Vernon Community School.

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According to the film's website, the documentary is part exposé and part “how-to” regarding the efforts to get better food in schools. The two moms profile chefs from across the country and learn ways to connect the cafeteria with the classroom. The movie also chronicles drastic changes in one school district over the course of a year.

While exploring the roles of government, corporate interests, school administration and parents, the moms discuss not only what is wrong with many school food programs, but also how to overcome challenges in the endeavor to get better food in cafeterias.

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While examining the Patch event calendars (Del Ray and Old Town), this screening caught my eye because it reminded me of a show I watched over the summer called "Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution". Although my son had only just turned 1, I found myself intrigued by the show. 

I was concerned by the food served in the school district he visited and was angered by the regulations that seemingly made it easier to serve frozen, pre-packaged meals riddled with preservatives rather than fresh, healthy food.

No matter how you feel about this issue, I think we all owe it to our kids to be informed about the current status of school lunches, the effect that food has on the students and the alternatives that are available.

You can find information about this screening and can buy tickets here.

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