For the children who need it, grades K-12, school lunch is provided. But what exactly are we providing them with? Unbalanced meals that are high in fat and calories and low in any nutritional value.

The government requires that schools provide lunches for children in need. Sadly, more often then not, the lunch provided is neither nutritional nor healthy. And that is what Slow Food USA's Time for Lunch campaign sought out to change.

The Slow Food movement has been gaining momentum since it started in 1986. The movement promotes good, clean, and fair food to all of those who subscribe to their philosophy. However, this Labor Day, they focused their attention on the one group who carries our future in their small hands- the nation's children.

The National School Lunch Program provides our youth the accessibility to a free lunch each day. That free lunch is provided by the Child Nutrition Act in which the government reimburses schools $2.85 per child per day. However, little of that money actually goes to the food they eat.

Hopefully, 2009 will be the year we start to see things change. This fall, the Act will be up for re-evaluation. Thanks to the individuals at Slow Food USA, our children may have a brighter and healthier future.

At over 300 locations across the United States, people flocked with homemade food in hand ready to share good eats for an excellent cause. They also signed a petition to ask congress for an increase in the amount of money each child receives. The Time For Lunch Campaign is both working to get more money for the children but to insure that it is more wisely spent.

Slow Food USA provides an answer to the fast paced, fast food dependent society we live in today. For Leah Binkovitz, a Time For Lunch organizer and volunteer, the importance of food was shown at an early age. "Growing up and participating in Shabbat dinners each week, I saw how important food was to my family." Most cultures rely on the act of eating to come together and reflect on their day. But slowly, Americans are losing this fundamental act.

The main event was held at Civic Center Plaza and featured food demonstrations from Children's Choice, a Bay Area program that provides healthy snacks for kids, provided seedlings of healthy plants and gave out samples from Drink Well Soda, a surprisingly delicious soda made from natural fermentation.

However, it was a small event in Potrero Hill that brought the idea of Slow Food to a whole new level. A small community garden at 18th Street and Rhode Island decided to be a part of the Time for Lunch campaign and bring attention to their garden as well. The garden maximizes its plant growth by designing the garden using the Permaculture method. This method allows the garden to reach it's full potential by maximizing the garden's yield and energy.

Project Manager and Designer David Cody spoke about how often current farms do little to actually help the environment. "In order to have a beautiful garden here, we have to destroy a garden elsewhere."

The future of our nation lies in the hands of our children and it is imperative to make sure they are healthy. The Time For Lunch Campaign as well as Slow Food are doing everything in their power to ensure this comes true.

For our previous newspaper coverage of slow food, go here.