The Snapping Parallel

The crisp, succulent french fry is one of

America’s favorite delicacies. It has been a

long-standing belief that a french fry is

harmless, but in recent years, nutritional

experts have discovered the damaging effects

of foods with high fat and saturated

fat contents. The growing concern over

unhealthy foods and their negative health

effects has prompted the West Hartford

Board of Education to revise its nutritional

guidelines. Instead of taking certain foods

away altogether, as some students thought

would happen, school cafeterias now will

reduce unhealthy elements of selected

foods, according to Jack Darcey, Chairman

of the Board of Education.

Current state nutritional guidelines do not

mandate that schools eliminate trans-fats,

but instead promote healthier nutrition

codes by offering a 10-cent subsidy to

schools for each meal sold that complies

with stringent guidelines, according to

Connecticut Public Act 06-03. During a Hall

Student Association meeting about West

Hartford’s decision to take part in the statepromoted

program, Darcey explained that

the town’s nutritional services are preparing

to reduce unhealthy trans-fats and high

saturated fat content in foods by February

1. Darcey also commented that unhealthy,

immensely popular foods that are eaten

regularly cause bad habits that have been

known to be hazardous to one’s health. It

is the town’s goal, Darcey explained, to nurture

good eating habits from kindergarten

through senior year.

News of a possible change to Hall’s delicious

– but unhealthy – menu has sparked

student concern. Indeed, there is reason