North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven says he will try to block the stricter salt and whole-grain requirements proposed for the school-lunch program. The senator’s proposal is backed by the School Nutrition Association, whose members run the school-meals programs. In a statement, Hoeven, one of the most active members of the Agriculture Committee on school nutrition, said his proposal “provides the flexibility they (schools) need to serve meals that are not only well-balanced but also appealing to students.” Hoeven said he would file a bill in the next few days.
It would prevent the USDA from further restricting salt in meals and from requiring all grains be “whole grain-rich.” Agri-Pulse says Hoeven told SNA members that he would attach the legislation to the annual USDA funding bill if Congress fails to reauthorize child nutrition programs. It quoted SNA president Julia Bauscher as saying leeway was needed: “We already have students who won’t participate because they think the food is bland. We’ve got a lot of concern about that.”
In its 2015 position paper, SNA asks for a 35-cent increase in reimbursement for each school breakfast and lunch served, a “stand still” on salt and whole-grain requirements and the removal of the requirement that students take fruit or vegetables with each meal.