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Retired pediatrician urges Gaylord schools to review meals, cites diet–behavior link
Summary
Dr. Karen Colby Olsen asked the Gaylord board to examine school menus and supply chains, arguing processed foods and additives can affect children's behavior and mental health, and suggested exploring alternative suppliers despite federal cost constraints.
At the Gaylord Community Schools board meeting, retired pediatrician Karen Colby Olsen used her three-minute public-comment slot to urge the district to reconsider school meal ingredients and sourcing.
Olsen described decades of clinical experience treating children with ADHD and said dietary changes—more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and less processed food—can improve behavior. She noted that school meals remain “loaded with preservatives and colorings” in the November menu she reviewed and suggested the district investigate alternative supply chains to offer healthier options, acknowledging federal reimbursement constraints.
Board members asked staff to look into the matter; no formal policy or procurement action was announced during the meeting.
