When I heard that Amy Kalafa’s Lunch Wars was next up in the BlogHer Book Club*, I was thrilled.  The food we feed our kids is such a big deal for me. Since Eleanor was born, I’ve read a number of books and watched a bunch of documentaries about health, nutrition and the food industry in this country. But, aside from watching Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution series on ABC,  I haven’t heard much about the state of food in our schools.

Kalafa explores the state of school lunches today and tells her readers exactly what they can do about it.  Lunch Wars give a brief but compelling overview of the harmfulness of the foods available to our children at school and the very real health consequences associated with that food. Kalafa follows by explaining step-by-step what a passionate parent can do to make a change in their community.

Each chapter ends with a list of action steps you can take to make a difference in your children’s school. The book is filled with stories of parents, chefs, nutritionists, writers, and others who have worked to change the school food in their communities. Many of the stories are disheartening. It’s sad to hear about the challenges these individuals have faced when they try to make food healthier for children. But so many of the stories are incredibly inspiring. It’s amazing to hear some of the success stories, where food has not only become healthy, delicious, and sustainable, but many of the programs have become financially profitable for the schools.

The book made me worried for the day when Eleanor starts school, but also prepared and excited to start my own Lunch War when the time comes.

Head over to the Blogher Book Club to join the discussion and read what other bloggers are saying about Amy Kalafa’s Lunch Wars.

*This was a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.