Obama, SNA continue disagreement on school meals rules
October 14, 2014 | 06:53 PM
In declaring this week as National School Lunch Week, President Barack Obama has emphasized the importance of healthier eating while the School Nutrition Association continues to call for changes to the rules implemented under the 2010 Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act.
In a proclamation issued Friday, Obama noted he was making it under a law Congress passed in 1962 designating the second week of October as National School Lunch Week.
Obama said he wants to build on the legacy of the 1946 National School Lunch Act “not just by increasing access to breakfasts and lunches, but also by working to improve their quality and nutritional value.”
“When more than one-third of American children and adolescents are overweight or obese — and as a result, are at risk for conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes — ensuring access to healthy foods at schools helps support academic performance and improves children's overall health,” Obama said.
“In 2010, I signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in order to raise nutritional standards and expand access to healthy meals,” he continued.
“This year — in many of the more than 22,000 eligible schools across our country — educators and food service professionals are able to serve all their students free, nutritious breakfasts and lunches. Students now have more opportunities to eat healthy foods than ever before, including new options in vending machines and a la carte lines.
“And First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative has brought communities, schools, and elected officials together to promote nutrition and healthy lifestyles and empower children to make healthy choices in school and at home,” the president said. “By expanding access to nutritious meals, we can help put young people on the path to good health from their earliest days. When we provide our children with opportunities to live prosperous and productive lives, we build a Nation where all kids can reach their dreams and achieve the bright futures they deserve.”
But the School Nutrition Association, which represents the school food service directors and the companies that make school foods, said in a statement Monday that schools continue to face “challenges” as the implement the new healthy meal rules.
SNA said schools face higher costs and school meal participation reductions, particularly in richer school districts where less than 50 percent of the students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
SNA noted it has asked the Agriculture Department and Congress to:
Meanwhile, SNA’s internal turmoil over these positions continued, with some members appealing to other members to voice their objections to the association’s positions and SNA leaders attempting to quiet the effort.
▪ White House — National School Lunch Week 2014 Proclamation
▪ The Lunch Tray — School Nutrition Association Urges Members Not to Sign Letter in Support of Healthier School Meals
▪ The Hill — School Nutrition Association aims to shut down member petition opposing rollback of nutrition standards
In a proclamation issued Friday, Obama noted he was making it under a law Congress passed in 1962 designating the second week of October as National School Lunch Week.
Obama said he wants to build on the legacy of the 1946 National School Lunch Act “not just by increasing access to breakfasts and lunches, but also by working to improve their quality and nutritional value.”
“When more than one-third of American children and adolescents are overweight or obese — and as a result, are at risk for conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes — ensuring access to healthy foods at schools helps support academic performance and improves children's overall health,” Obama said.
“In 2010, I signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in order to raise nutritional standards and expand access to healthy meals,” he continued.
“This year — in many of the more than 22,000 eligible schools across our country — educators and food service professionals are able to serve all their students free, nutritious breakfasts and lunches. Students now have more opportunities to eat healthy foods than ever before, including new options in vending machines and a la carte lines.
“And First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative has brought communities, schools, and elected officials together to promote nutrition and healthy lifestyles and empower children to make healthy choices in school and at home,” the president said. “By expanding access to nutritious meals, we can help put young people on the path to good health from their earliest days. When we provide our children with opportunities to live prosperous and productive lives, we build a Nation where all kids can reach their dreams and achieve the bright futures they deserve.”
But the School Nutrition Association, which represents the school food service directors and the companies that make school foods, said in a statement Monday that schools continue to face “challenges” as the implement the new healthy meal rules.
SNA said schools face higher costs and school meal participation reductions, particularly in richer school districts where less than 50 percent of the students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
SNA noted it has asked the Agriculture Department and Congress to:
- Maintain the 2012 requirement that half of grains offered be whole grain rich, instead of requiring that all grains be whole grain rich.
- Maintain Target 1 sodium levels, and suspend further reductions until scientific research supports them.
- Offer, but do not require, students to take a fruit or vegetable, in order to avoid food waste.
- Allow healthy items permitted on the meal line to be sold a la carte as well.
Meanwhile, SNA’s internal turmoil over these positions continued, with some members appealing to other members to voice their objections to the association’s positions and SNA leaders attempting to quiet the effort.
▪ White House — National School Lunch Week 2014 Proclamation
▪ The Lunch Tray — School Nutrition Association Urges Members Not to Sign Letter in Support of Healthier School Meals
▪ The Hill — School Nutrition Association aims to shut down member petition opposing rollback of nutrition standards
