REAL FOOD NOW!

We are a group of students in New Orleans who want to rethink and rebuild our schools after Hurricane Katrina. Our vision is simple: a great education for every kid in our city, no matter the color of their skin, what neighborhood they stay in or how much money their parents make.

In early 2006, a group of community organizers, artists, architects, media experts and educators began organizing Rethink. In mid-2006, they brought twenty middle school students (us) together for our first summer school. Our time away from home during Katrina had been scary but eye-opening. For the first time most of us saw school bathrooms with toilet paper and soap; libraries with books and hallways with lockers. It made us realize what good schools actually look like.

Rethinkers come from all over New Orleans. Most of the kids are middle schoolers. We have high school interns and one prethinker who is only nine years old. We are writers and photographers and designers and public speakers. We host a press conference every summer to express our concerns and offer innovative solutions. Last year our press conference was called "A Spork in the Road." We talked about food and cafeterias. One of our major suggestions was to incorporate more local food into school menus. We are now in the process of working with the Recovery School District to make this vision a reality.

Rethinkers featured in this video: Jada, Leon, Jamil, Victoria, Lucy, Alisia, Isaiah

You can learn more about us on our website: www.therethinkers.com

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Rethink
• New Orleans
• Local Food
• Fresh
• Organic
• Healthy
• Real Food
• School Lunches
• Cafeteria

[KizzeTalksAbout]

That's right, tell them! Healthy food should be a priority not a difficult decision.

[FarmGrrrl21]

This video is excellent and I'm inspired by the students. The lyrics stick in my head too--"I want real food now and it starts with me." Way to go! Best of luck with your project!

[domdonette]

i miss you all!

excellent job!

in solidarity,

dominique

[garoutteju]

Love the: "And no, ketchup is not a vegetable!"

[paulblee56]

Excellent point: Healthy food at school from local producers. Relevant and important. Best of luck with your campaign