School Nutrition Association
Senate hearing to examine school food programs
While Congress wrangles over one-year school-lunch waiver for some schools, the Senate Agriculture Committee will hold its second hearing of the summer on child nutrition. Set for Wednesday, the hearing "will examine school meal programs across the country" with an eye for ways "to continue strengthening these programs to better support America's school children," says the hearing announcement.
Lunch lines and bottom lines
The Washington Post says, "At stake in the argument over lunch menus, beyond the natural tension between nutrition and children’s taste buds, are the profits of several large food companies that sell frozen pizzas, french fries and other prepared foods to schools." The story looks at how the new menu rules play out in schools around the nation.
Nutritionists argue school food rules ahead of House vote
The Knoxville, Tenn, schools face an additional $900,000 in breakfast costs next year because of federal regulations to serve more produce, nutrition director Jonathan Dickl said ahead of a potentially key House Appropriations Committee meeting. Dickl spoke in favor of a proposed one-year waiver for some schools from requirements to serve more nutritious meals.
School lunch rollbacks “unacceptable,” says First Lady
At a meeting with school nutrition leaders, First Lady Michelle Obama said proposals in Congress to scale back nutrition standards were "unacceptable to me, not just as First Lady, but also as a mother." The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to vote on Thursday on a USDA funding bill that would waive for one year the requirement for healthier meals if schools show they lost money on their food programs for six months.
Dietary Guidelines committee scrutinizes food sustainability
The panel writing the new edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans - the government's tips for healthy eating - is wading into the question of food systems sustainability.
School food directors propose free meals for all students
Congress should revise child nutrition programs so that all students are eligible for free meals at school, said the School Nutrition Association in a position paper released on Tuesday. The group, which speaks on behalf of school food directors, also called for higher reimbursement rates for each lunch and breakfast served.