In early December the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 was signed into law. It had been 10 years since the government reauthorized child nutrition programs — and with childhood obesity on the rise, many were fighting for real change.
The new bill incorporates many positive changes with its $4.5 billion of additional funding for child nutrition programs over the next 10 years. But how does this bill translate into the daily lives of children? Here are the highlights…
Better food choices all around
The USDA already sets nutrition standards for school lunches but now they’ll have the authority to set standards for “other food” sold at school including vending machines, a la carte items, and school stores. This may take a while to put in place but the result will be more nutritious food available outside of school lunches.
More money for lunches
For the first time in 30 years, there will be more money going to school lunches that meet new nutrition standards. There will also be more auditing to ensure school districts are complying with the standards.
More local food
More funding will go to farm-to-school programs aiming to get more local food into schools.
More children will qualify
More children will have access to school meal programs due to changes in eligibility and processing.
New school wellness programs
New standards will be set for nutrition promotion and education and physical activity.
Safer Food
New requirements will help improve the safety of food at schools.
I know many proponents of this bill wanted even more resources to go to school nutrition programs but this is definitely a step in the right direction. This, combined with the creative ideas for Smarter Lunchrooms developed by Brian Wansink, means a healthier future for our kids.
What do you think? Does this address any concerns you have at your child’s school? Anyone working in school nutrition care to comment?
The question remains, “How do you make the kids eat it?”
I was a teacher once upon a time ago & I saw many a piece of fruit discarded. I also know that many of my students who qualified for free or reduced lunches did not take advantage – because that was a sign that they were not as well off as the kids who had soda & twinkies in their lunch bags.
Also there are kids who are fed McDonalds & the like a lot out side of school & want that for lunch as well…
That’s a good question. I still think the most factor in raising healthy eaters is the home environment. But the schools can do their part. I like what Brian Wansink is doing — helping nudge kids to make healthier choices. Because in the end they are more likely to eat healthy when it’s their decision.
I am a teacher in a rural county. Our cafeteria managers have worked hard to provide fresher and more varied fruit and veggie choices. One school’s manager has already changed out some of the menu items for others that are more healthy (no more biscuits in the morning, sausage comes on a roll). Our county has done a lot with the farm-to-school programs and the local farmers (often relatives or parent employers of our students) come talk to the students about the sweet potatoes, corn, etc. the students are eating from their farm. The school lunch program began as an effort to provide needy children hot meals. I’m glad those children will be receiving more nutritious choices.
However, I still feel like this is a tiny little chisel chipping the iceburg. With 70% of Americans overweight and their children following in their footsteps – a lot more needs to happen in the home to make the school changes that much more beneficial. If parents want kids to pick fruit (and eat it), they need to do the leg work at home. Schools can’t always be responsible for the education parents have to provide.
A Keo — glad to hear about the progress at your school. From what I’ve seen, school nutrition workers are a hard-working bunch.
I totally agree that eating habits start in the home. I believe raising healthy eaters is not as hard as some parents think. Small changes over time can make a big difference.
The schools should send home educational materials with the students to educate each family on how to properly feed their children – and themselves as well. It used to be that people who get Food Stamps couldn’t buy convenience food and goodies and such with them, but those rules have changed. The schools could send home a list of allowable foods – it would make shopping so much easier for the parents – and tell them to get rid of all the junk. Or, if there are no produce markets around (you know, “food deserts” that the government may have missed), the schools could start accepting Food Stamps and let the parents buy boxes of fresh, local produce allowed on the list.
Also, since they already make the kids breakfast and lunch – why don’t they just extend school hours to include supper as well? That way, they could make sure the kids are taken care of and not going home to an empty house, since a lot of kids come from single parent families. Schools that don’t already have tutoring services could start them and do homework with the kids. They could end with an evening snack, and maybe a toothbrushing lesson.
Thanks for your suggestions Betty. What I have learned in my over 15 years helping people is that information alone does not always change the way people eat. Most people say they know which foods to eat but simply don’t do it. We need to help people remove the barriers they have to eating more healthfully — and those are different for everyone. I think that education can help more is needed for real change.
Actually, part of the upcoming changes in schools is that they will have more after school food programs for students. So hopefully that will help food insecure kids.
Let’s keep talking!
“What I have learned in my over 15 years helping people is that information alone does not always change the way people eat. Most people say they know which foods to eat but simply don’t do it.”
There’s always a way for government to help people make the right decision. The thing is, you have the child at school all day for five days out of the week, but you can’t control the parents. Since a lot of parents bring their kids to school, why not feed the parents breakfast as well? This would be an incentive for people to bring their kids instead of sending them on the bus, saving on bus service. I mean, how many parents drop by McDonald’s or some other fast food place on their way to work and grab a McMuffin? They could also feed the parents dinner as well. It’s always a good thing for families to eat together. In fact, that could be the slogan to sell the idea.
Also, I think parents should have to sign food contracts at the beginning of the school year, agreeing to not feed their kids certain foods. After all, the welfare of children is the responsibility of the schools. The schools could also have someone from the schools do home visits to educate the parents/caregivers, and make sure they are abiding by the contract, and levy fines for disallowed items – this program would pay for itself.
Wow, I couldn’t disagree more with Betty.
The welfare of the children is NOT the responsibility of schools. My child is my responsibility. I don’t think government should have anything to do with helping people make right decisions or feeding parents breakfast. When you start having the government decide what the “right decision” is, you’re asking for trouble.
This year my children’s school lunch prices have gone up and they’ve cut back to 2 desserts per week. There have been very small changes made in the menu- Manwich on a whole wheat bun here, a chicken corn dog there. Does anyone think those are healthy food choices?
I’m not sure what the answer is. Educating people on healthy food choices is part of it. But it’s not government. More kids are now on reduced or free lunches. Who is paying for this? I am and you are.
And yes, most of it is being thrown in the trash on the way out to recess.
I work in the HighSchool level of the lunch program. Right now at my school kids are offered the usual hot lunch meal–(whole wheat pasta with sauce, chicken patty sandwiches, turkey gravy mashed potatoes…) They also have the option of Grab and Go–salads with grilled chicken on them, turkey and cheese/ham and cheese/tuna and cheese sandwiches on whole wheat weight watchers rolls. These come with fruit, chips and milk or water. Then there is the A La Carte–pizza made fresh daily on whole wheat dough, nachos and cheese, baked fries, bagels, fresh fruit, nutrigrain bars and Harvest Chips. And last but not least they have a Deli side. The kids pick the wrap (spinach, tomato basil, garlic, whole wheat or white) or weight watchers roll. The choice of cheese (american, provolone, pepperjack or swiss) The choice of meat (tuna, turkey, ham, salami) They can also choose lettuce, tomatoes, onions or banana peppers. On some days we have buffalo chicken, chicken salad or chicken caesar salad (the chicken is grilled). The sandwiches are then grilled on a panini press. How much more of a selection should we give? I agree with Vennesa. The responsiblity is with the parents. They have to start when the kids are young to train them to make healthy choices. By the time they get to my school, their choices have been instilled in them. For the most part kids will choose healthy. But as anyone knows, we ALL crave that sweet or salty or fried snack at some point.
I’m having issues, with all of these new changes,Because, OUR SCHOOL LUNCHES are made from the cheapest thing they can buy. IF IT DOSE NOT LOOK GOOD ,would you eat it? NO! you would not. This is one more freedom that has been taken away. Our school lunch was really good when I attended school. IF THE KIDS AREN’T EATING, THEN THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO LEARN. SO VERY UPSET WITH THIS LUNCH ISSUE. PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE FOOD STAMPS , EAT BETTER THAT OUR SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM. NOT A HAPPY MOM.
@Vanessa – I’m sorry, but my comment was a long chain of nothing but dripping sarcasm. I think the government – at least the FEDERAL government – should stay out of the education business altogether – it’s a conflict of interest. They should also stay out of the food business.
@Betty. That’s a relief! I thought you’d completely lost your mind! 🙂