Tag Archives: Chris Chinn

New School Lunch Regs, One “Hot Potato”!

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Musings of a Pig Farmer
by Larry Sailer

The national school lunch program is becoming one “hot potato” of an issue! I deliberately chose to use the word “one” as much of the changes revolve around limiting the portion size, especially of meat, offered through the school lunch program. In her blog post this week, Missouri pork producer Chris Chinn describes it as a One Size, Fits All Lunch Program.

Chris is not alone in her concern. Even school hot lunch managers are concerned. Here’s a comment one area hot lunch manager posted on my Facebook page:

Oh, you sure hit a sore spot with me. It just me over two weeks to formulate a menu that usually takes less than two hours, and I have Middle School and Elementary ages to go. The meat allowance for students in grades 9-12 is 2 ounces. I can hardly wait until some of my older kids come through the lunch line on the first day and can’t find the meat on their sub sandwich! Our schools have always served at least 1 fruit and 1 vegetable a day. We can serve it, but we can’t make them eat it! And now I’m adding more fruits and vegetables, but I’m sure there won’t be a rush for Garbanzo beans, black beans and kidney beans. Get this… lettuce and dressing must fit into the calorie ranges.

Area superintendents met recently with the Franklin County Farm Bureau board. From left to right are: Darrin Strike, West Fork; Todd Lettow, Hampton-Dumont; Dwight Widen, CAL Community; and Bob Weber, AGWSR.

How long will a 2-ounce portion of meat satisfy a 240-pound football player, who has already been at school for hours and has to attend practice right after school? The above-mentioned hot lunch manager goes on to write that she’s concerned about the number kids that will go hungry thanks – ironically – in part to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. She encourages concerned citizens and interested parents to contact their congressman. She emphatically writes, “School cooks need all the help they can get to get back to basic cooking!!!!”

Even school administrators are concerned about the new regulations. Last Thursday a group of area superintendents met with the Franklin County Board of Directors. When talking about school food, one of the supers confessed that he takes his lunch break in his office where he can use his own “secret” salt shaker. He said the food is so bland that he couldn’t tolerate to eat it otherwise.

Another super said that the “Food Gestapo” stopped in and checked their food last year. His school failed the inspection, and one reason was because that particular school added too much salt to the food. They all agreed that there will be major problems with the program.

As classes resume, I’m sure we’ll hear even more “school lunch stories.” You can be sure that I haven’t written my last word about it either. To be continued…

Industry NewsCreate a Domino’s Effect – Join the Party, May 18-20

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It’s truly a treat for our kids when our family spends the night in a hotel where Domino’s Pizza delivers pool-side. One reason Domino’s is reserved for “special occasions” is because there isn’t one located nearby. This weekend, however, I’ll drive 19.5 miles – or approximately 31 minutes – just for the principle of it. I want to say, “Thank You, Domino’s” for supporting America’s farmers. Why?

Last month Domino’s shareholders had the fortitude to reject a request by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to stop buying pork produced with the crates. Domino’s spokesman Tim McIntyre said, “We rely on animal experts to determine what is the best way to raise an animal that’s being used for food.”

Fifth generation Missouri farmer Chris Chinn was so encouraged to hear that the stockholders of Domino’s Pizza share her stand on animal care that she launched a grassroots movement on the Just Farmers blog. “As a farmer, I respect Domino’s for its common sense decision and for trusting the experts in animal care,” she writes. “Domino’s decision speaks volumes to me as a farmer. It shows they trust the experts I trust. It shows they trust me. I appreciate that.”

“We, in agriculture, need to make sure that we start showing appreciation to those companies that are willing to take some time to look into situations before jumping on a sensationalism bandwagon,” writes Mike Davelaar on The Truth About Agriculture blog. “I’m going to pick up a couple pizzas and leave a note for the management of Domino’s. I’d encourage all of you to do the same.”

Order a pizza pie between May 18-20 and “pay it forward with pizza.” Join the worldwide Ag Pizza Party. You can bet it’s going to be a “special occasion” at the Latham house sometime this weekend. And special occasions call for Domino’s!

Bacon Steals the Show at #140ConfDM

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Musings of a Pig Farmer by Larry Sailer

Bacon – yes, bacon – took center stage yesterday at the 140 Conference in Des Moines. It’s interesting how sometimes the most off-handed comment becomes the one thing that “sticks.” Nonetheless, I’m grateful for the shout-outs and accolades that were given to this pig farmer from Franklin County, Iowa.

I have to admit that I really wasn’t sure how my message would be received by a group of bloggers whom primarily live in urban areas like Des Moines and even Chicago. It turns out that it was really well received! Many people spoke up in support of me and of farmers in general. They also reaffirmed people’s desire to reconnect with food and to learn how the food actually gets from the farm to their plate.

This is the reason I was invited to speak. It’s also why I’ve spoken to more than 70 civic and community groups throughout the state. I want to help demystify agriculture by starting conversations with consumers, so they can ask questions of a “real Iowa farmer.”

With less than 2% of the population engaged in production agriculture, it seems that fewer consumers have the opportunity to talk with local farmers and get their questions answered. I guess that’s was also part of CNN’s fascination when they introduced me last winter as “a farmer who blogs.”

It was during our trip to Des Moines last February to serve on a panel discussion from CNN’s “The Starting Point” when Deb Brown asked me to speak at the “local” State of NOW /140 Conference she coordinated in Des Moines. “A local conference,” I thought. “Surely, that wouldn’t be problem after appearing live on CNN.”

Little did I realize how just big of an event this would turn out to be! Unlike the approximately 20 seconds that I had to talk on CNN, I had 10 minutes to talk yesterday at the 140 conference. I also overhead someone say yesterday that this conference was broadcast live to two million people in more than 20 countries. WOW. I’m so glad that I didn’t hear that before I took the stage. I’m even happier that my wife, Janice, didn’t know how big the audience would be before we got there.

For the past two weeks, Janice kept asking me when I was going to write my speech and start practicing. I never did actually write one, which is just as well. There were so many great agvocates that everything I would’ve said would’ve already been said by them any way. Ag speakers yesterday included:

  • Shannon Latham – You already know her if you’re reading this blog!
  • Darcy Maulsby – Lifelong Iowan and farm girl from Calhoun County who writes mini blogs about agriculture, business, food and gardening.
  • Heather Lilienthal – As communications specialist for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, she fields media calls and develops relationships that help farmers tell the story of Iowa agriculture.
  • Janice Person – Although she was born and raised in Memphis, cotton communications became the major thrust of her career.
  • Chris Chinn – She and her husband, Kevin, are 5th generation farmers. They live with their two children on their family’s hog farm in Missouri.

Other speakers whom I greatly enjoyed were Michael Libbie, who talked about the ROI of social media, and Gigi Belmonico and her Bombshells, who collected Purses for Panama. (Now they’re collecting reading glasses if you’d like to donate to their cause). Liz Nead, an inspirational speaker, had an entertaining talk about 30-day trials. For some reason, I can only remember one of them. As soon as you watch a video of her presentation, you’ll understand why! Angela Maiers and other teachers talked about how NOW technology is opening their classroom doors to international experiences. Denise Bonewitz Passehl talked about her online community helped provide support for a rare type of cancer.

It was also interesting to note that 5 of the speakers on yesterday’s panel were raised in Geneva, Iowa, my hometown. Considering the town has a population of about 100, it was well represented! You’ll be able to download each speaker’s presentation in about a week. I’ll be sure to share that link as soon as it’s available.

Because so many folks yesterday professed their love for bacon, I thought I’d close by sharing a link to the delicious sounding recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops. Think I’ll light the grill tonight!