D.C. Eating in: A Voice for Real Choices
Sometimes you get some really strange press releases. In particular, DC Voices for Meal Choices will be staging a sit-in on April 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 425 13th St. NW. The subject line reads, "Shocking 'EAT-IN' supporting menu labeling in DC." Plus, there will be "PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES!" The purpose of the sit-in is in support of the DC MEAL Act, which would require any chain restaurant with more than 10 locations nationwide to list nutritional information on their menus. According to DC Voices for Meal Choices, 50% of DC citizens are overweight or obese, one of the highest obesity rates in the country. Furthermore, $2 billion a year are spent in District restaurants. Regardless of whether that includes meals eaten by tourists and those outside the area or what kinds of establishments are most frequented, the obesity rate speaks for itself. (And does anyone find calling it an "Eat-In" a little ironic since you're trying to reduce obesity? Shouldn't it be a "Fast-In"?)
We make light of the release, but as everyone knows this is serious business. This protest only speaks to one small part of the problem. C'mon, have YOU ever walked in to one of your favorite chain restaurants and wanted to know the precise nutritional value of the food that you'll be getting? Every last calorie and fat gram? Probably not.
Research shows that poverty is one of the factors in rising obesity rates. Calorie-dense junk foods are less expensive than healthier, low-calorie items like fresh produce. And with D.C.'s poverty rate at over 20 percent, this is naturally going to be a greater problem. There are high barriers to accessing high-quality, and therefore more delicious, low-calorie food items in this city, including the lack of well-stocked grocery stores (Soviet Safeway, anyone?) and sky-high prices at farmers markets. Why choose a mealy and bland apple when you can get a bag of potato chips for the same price?
Jason Linkins contributed to this post.
In addition to getting restaurants to list nutritional information on their menus, we should also be trying to make it easier for grocery stores to open in the city (like Harris Teeter) or getting them to improve their existing stores. Farmers markets that accept food stamps are also a step in the right direction -- as would be the expansion of markets into under served parts of the city. Increasing access to high-quality, reasonably priced low-calorie foods would be one tool in encouraging better eating behavior, rather than putting the onus on restaurants to list nutritional information on their menus.
Photo by maxedaperture