United Fresh disappointed in House school meals action as other groups also oppose school waivers
May 29, 2014 | 03:51 PM
The United Fresh Produce Association today expressed deep disappointment at the House Appropriations Committee’s vote to maintain a provision in the fiscal year 2015 Agriculture appropriations bill that requires the Agriculture Department to issue waivers from school meal rules to schools that claim their meals programs are losing money.
United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel also said he did not think parents will be supportive of the idea once they learn more about it.
“We do not believe the party line vote in committee to support [House Agriculture Appriations] Subcommittee Chairman [Robert] Aderholt [R-Ala.]’s waiver provision indicative of full House support for rolling back school meal standards,” Stenzel said in a news release.
“Rather, many members of the committee spoke in favor of providing technical support to schools and possibly delaying some of the more difficult provisions,” Stenzel said. “While this vote in committee was up-or-down on the amendment, we believe thoughtful members on both sides of the aisle can find a real solution more like that adopted by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week.”
“We believe there is strong support both at USDA and among a majority of House members to find ways to help schools adjust to some of the more technical requirements of the rules regarding sodium and whole grains, but preserve the critical importance of serving at least one half-cup of fruits and vegetables in school meals,” Stenzel continued.
He also noted that United Fresh “is committed to providing school foodservice directors with technical assistance, training in produce procurement and handling, and sharing best practices of what’s working in thousands of schools across the country.”
Stenzel urged House members to “strike the blanket variances,” but said, “If the House moves forward with a blanket variance allowing schools to opt out of serving at least one-half cup of fruits and vegetables — over the objections of the national PTA, respected school nutrition leaders, and the entire public health community —parents in every congressional district across the country will be outraged.”
In addition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation today issued a statement in support of the current school meals rules.
“Given that kids can consume up to half of their daily calories at school, providing nutritious school meals is a critical component of building a national culture of health that makes the healthy choices the easy choices for every child. Let’s continue to make school meals healthier,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, whose projects include reducing obesity.
In addition, 19 past presidents of the School Nutrition Association issued a statement in support of the current rules, and former Agriculture secretaries Dan Glickman and Ann Veneman wrote an opinion article for The Hill defending the current rules.
▪ Letter from SNA Past Presidents
▪ The Hill — Don’t play politics with our children’s health
United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel also said he did not think parents will be supportive of the idea once they learn more about it.
“We do not believe the party line vote in committee to support [House Agriculture Appriations] Subcommittee Chairman [Robert] Aderholt [R-Ala.]’s waiver provision indicative of full House support for rolling back school meal standards,” Stenzel said in a news release.
“Rather, many members of the committee spoke in favor of providing technical support to schools and possibly delaying some of the more difficult provisions,” Stenzel said. “While this vote in committee was up-or-down on the amendment, we believe thoughtful members on both sides of the aisle can find a real solution more like that adopted by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week.”
“We believe there is strong support both at USDA and among a majority of House members to find ways to help schools adjust to some of the more technical requirements of the rules regarding sodium and whole grains, but preserve the critical importance of serving at least one half-cup of fruits and vegetables in school meals,” Stenzel continued.
He also noted that United Fresh “is committed to providing school foodservice directors with technical assistance, training in produce procurement and handling, and sharing best practices of what’s working in thousands of schools across the country.”
Stenzel urged House members to “strike the blanket variances,” but said, “If the House moves forward with a blanket variance allowing schools to opt out of serving at least one-half cup of fruits and vegetables — over the objections of the national PTA, respected school nutrition leaders, and the entire public health community —parents in every congressional district across the country will be outraged.”
In addition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation today issued a statement in support of the current school meals rules.
“Given that kids can consume up to half of their daily calories at school, providing nutritious school meals is a critical component of building a national culture of health that makes the healthy choices the easy choices for every child. Let’s continue to make school meals healthier,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, whose projects include reducing obesity.
In addition, 19 past presidents of the School Nutrition Association issued a statement in support of the current rules, and former Agriculture secretaries Dan Glickman and Ann Veneman wrote an opinion article for The Hill defending the current rules.
▪ Letter from SNA Past Presidents
▪ The Hill — Don’t play politics with our children’s health
