The Weight Of The Nation For Kids - Season 1 - Episode 1

A profile of the Rethinkers, a youth-based non-profit in New Orleans trying to make the district's school cafeterias offer healthier, better-tasting options. Formed when New Orleans kids returned home after Hurricane Katrina - which gave them the experience of eating at other schools out-of-state - the Rethinkers hope to rebuild their hometown's public schools, starting with its lunch food. "Being from New Orleans I know what good food tastes like," says Victoria, the center of our story, who says she would rather work for change than sit around doing nothing about it. Victoria leads the charge in surveying several cafeterias and after getting some local-news attention, Aramark, the company who runs the public-school lunches, invites the Rethinkers to give some recommendations. These bright and passionate students are able to negotiate with the corporation and come to an agreement on fresher, healthier food. The kids continue to make their mark by giving "report cards" to area schools based on the surveys conducted, and announce the schools' grades - as well the Aramark agreement - at a grand-finale press conference that is both moving and inspiring.Show more