Legislative pork...beef, fish, etc.

markjohnson — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:44:57 -0400

Rep. Angela Bryant said before she will support more money for the legislative cafeteria, she wants a healthier menu.

The cafeteria's management, though, said they have made progress by cutting transfat and expanding their salad bar.

"I will be standing on my head objecting to an increase (in cafeteria funding) unless there is more low fat and low sodium," said Bryant. The current House budget plan proposes raising prices in the subsidized cafeteria by 10 percent.

Bryant said legislators coping with the cost of various health problems partly tied to diet should clean up their own house.

Kathy Wethington, the cafeteria's supervisor, said the staff is doing healthier cooking, using Smart Balance instead of butter and offering "heart healthy" vegetables on fried chicken day. The lunchroom also features a two-section salad bar, complete with low fat dressings, not to mention the sneeze shield.