Lindsey Parsons Receives Community Hero Award

Last night, CANZPS Program Coordinator Lindsey Parsons, along with her partner Karen Devitt, Co-Directors of Real Food for Kids – Montgomery  (RFKM), received the Community Hero Award from the Montgomery County Civic Federation for their work improving the food served in the Montgomery County Public Schools. The award regularly honors people and organizations from the community that are heroes — taking time from their lives, and working hard to make the county a better place for all of us.

“Lindsey and Karen have turned their frustration with unhealthy food options in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) into Real Food for Kids – Montgomery, a non-profit parent advocacy group that promotes whole, fresh and nutrient-rich food options in MCPS,” said Paula Bienenfeld, First Vice President of the Montgomery County Civic Federation. “In a little over a year, RFKM has already made significant improvements in the MCPS system. Just last month, because of the efforts of RFKM, MCPS agreed to remove strawberry milk from the cafeterias as it contains Red Dye #40, artificial chemical flavor, high fructose corn syrup, propylene glycol and 25 grams of sugar. We are thrilled to honor these local heroes, working hard to help our children eat better food.”

RFKM also successfully lobbied MCPS to delay turning on candy and soda vending machines until thirty minutes after the end of the school day. The organization is currently focusing efforts on improving the nutritional value of vending and a la carte foods and moving MCPS from processed and reheated foods to scratch cooking at its central facility.