$2 Million Dollar Psychology Experiment

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has most certainly been in the national spotlight in 2010. From challenges over national food safety to the highly embarrassing premature ejection of Shirley Sherrod from her USDA job, Secretary Vilsack has been a very busy man indeed. And it doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. Most recent is the USDA's decision to give two million to food behavior scientists in hopes they'll discover ways to use psychology in getting school children to eat healthy when it comes to the federal school lunch program. Divide and disguise seems to be the psychological route of choice so far, a course that any parent could have given them the heads up on if asked. Moving desserts to out of sight cases, putting fresh fruits and veggies in attractive containers, and providing make your own wraps and salad stations are tactics being implemented in what is quickly becoming known as "smart lunchrooms". While sly and smart these lunchrooms may be, the simple and now rather expensive fact remains, you can lead a child to the veggies but you can't make her eat them.