Cameron Verkaik

9315 Port Sheldon St

Zeeland, MI 49464
February 15, 2015
The Honorable Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Dear Governor Rick Snyder:
I write this proposal to urge you to extend the healthy food regulations of the public
schools in Michigan to all non-public schools so that all children, no matter what
their type of schooling, are presented with healthier food options that model healthy
living, leading to an improved quality of life.
The National School Lunch Program is currently operating in over 100,000 public
and non-profit private schools to provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free
lunches. Serving more than 31 million children each day, there is no question about
the importance of this program. Yet many private schools pass up on the
opportunity to participate for various reasons. Due to this decision, these children
are put at a higher health risk due to their limited healthy food options.
As a concerned member of the community and Registered Nurse in the State of
Michigan, I urge you to set the example of health as a top priority in our youngest
generation. We should not allow the separation of church and state, nor the
personal preference of private school administrations to determine the health
outcome of our children. School- no matter what type- should be a safe and healthy
environment, where leaders are modeling choices that lead to health benefits rather
than health risks and diseases.
The goal of the new standards is to encourage healthy eating early on, before
unhealthy habits set in. If children in elementary schools are seeing more grains and
fresh produce in their cafeterias, then they may be more likely to try them and
continue eating them as adolescents and adults. School, after all, is a place for
learning, and that includes the cafeteria.
Our states involvement in private schools does not currently address health
standards in food programs, and I propose that you begin that important
implementation. Thank you, Governor Snyder, for carefully considering this
important action for all of our children in Michigan.
Sincerely,

Cameron P. Verkaik