Do parents know what is in their students' lunches? In the past decade, the nutritional requirements for school lunches have greatly increased. Former first lady Michele Obama made some alterations in regulations, calling for more whole grains, fruits and vegetables to be included in a healthy meal for students. What was not included in these changes was a requirement for schools to provide organic foods.

Most school cafeterias do not have, nor do they identify, organic foods so students can choose what they eat wisely. When I go through the lines in our cafeteria, there is nothing to indicate how the food is produced. I have no idea if it is organic or non-organic, or whether the food could cause health problems when I eat too much of it. While more grocery stores are providing better access to organic foods, school cafeterias are not providing the same option. If organic foods are not provided to students, then the option of eating healthier foods without harmful additives is taken away from students whoare unable to bring a lunch from home.

There are many positives for what this simple change can do.

Organic foods are healthier. Non-organic foods are usually made less naturally. Instead of being made in kitchens, many of the foods are produced in bulk in factories. These foods include ingredients you normally would never add to what you eat. Additives such as partially hydrogenated oil, food dyes and high-fructose corn syrup are included to preserve and add flavor; they can cause harm when eaten regularly. Ingredients such as these have been known to lead to obesity, heart disease and even cancer. Exposing students to these ingredients on a regular basis increases their risk for these health concerns.

Furthermore, organic foods are free of harmful toxins. Non-organic food is produced with fertilizers, chemicals and antibiotics. Substances such as these are harmful to humans, animals and the environment. In fact, they cause chemical runoffs while also making humans and animals ill. In today's competitive business environment, large companies produce food mainly for the profit, rather than quality. Unfortunately, this lack of quality has consequences for the environment. Schools are bringing up our future citizens; they should teach environmental responsibility and set an example for what foods are provided at lunch.

Schools should switch to organic foods because they have many health and environment benefits. Organic foods are grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and antibiotics, and are made without many preservatives. Studies have shown that they have even more nutritional value than non-organic foods. Organic food is a rapidly growing industry because of all the people wanting to make a healthy lifestyle change, and is subsequently leading our world back to the natural way food should be produced.

Although organic food is a little more expensive and harder to get, it is a growing industry that has many health benefits. If more schools are required to have organic options, demand will increase for organic food, thus motivating businesses to increase the supply. While cost and access will be difficult initially, these issues will eventually subside. Ultimately, students will be healthier, which is the primary goal of this change.

Organic food should be included as a part of the nutritional standards for school meals. Current regulations do not go far enough in requiring foods without harmful additives and toxins.

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The organic option - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette