Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids

March 31, 2011

Every five years Congress renews the Child Nutrition Act, first signed into law in 1966, in an effort to improve overall child nutrition. The newest version ofthis law is called the Healthy, Hunger-Free Act for Kids and was signed in to law byPresident Obama on December 13, 2010.

The full Healthy, Hunger Free Act for Kids can be accessed here, but a few highlights are listed below:

  • Grants available for School Breakfast Program expansion
  • Requires schools to have free, potable water available at mealtimes
  • Requires USDA to establish nutrition standards for every meal served atschool
  • Requires USDA to establish wellness standards for schools
  • Will provide 50% matching grant funds to States that implement nutritioneducation and obesity prevention programs
  • Grants provided for Farm to School programs that encourage local sourcing offoods
  • Allows for easier and broader access of the free and reduced lunch program
  • Improves health and safety standards
  • Establishment of an organic food pilot program

Raising Standards

In January of 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)issued new food standards for public schools, one of the mandates of the new Healthy,Hunger Free Act for Kids. Shockingly, these standards had not been revised in 15 years.The new standards call for the elimination of flavored milks, less use of sodium andstarches, and more whole grains, dark green vegetables, and fresh fruits andvegetables. These new standards will take effect in 2012 (Norris, 2011).

While some school districts may find these new standards difficultto meet, the New York City schools have already begun implementing and exceeding these standardsat little costs. At just $1 per meal, the New York City schools are able to offer wholegrain pastas, a fresh salad bar four days a week, fresh fruit, no trans fat and lowersodium. One school, P.S. 56, hired an executive chef to create recipes that were lowerin fat and sodium, but still tasty and appealing to children. So, what are they eating?One meal served is the Latin rice bowl made with baked chicken tenders, Spanish rice,sweet plantains and a red pepper sauce (Kaimener, 2011). A sample menu created by USDAcomparing school lunches before and after the new nutrition standards can be found here.

In Memphis, 0% of public schools (including preschools) always offer fruits or non-fried vegetables and only 38% of schools taught a required physicaleducation course at every grade level. According to a 2009 Memphis Youth Risk BehaviorSurvey, 17% of students were obese and 60% watched television for 3 or more hours perday (CDC, 2009). Both nutrition and wellness will change in the schools as the new lawsbegin to take effect.

The Take-Away:

Nutrition and health standards arerising for children in public schools. While some may argue that these will bedifficult to meet, the New York City schools are doing it for just $1 per meal. Memphis schools have a long way to go with no schools offering fruits and non-fried vegetablesat all times, but parents and children can look forward to healthier options beginningnext year.

Resources:

Kaminer, Rachel (2011). Hairnets, Yes; Fried Foods, No. The NewYork Times. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/nyregion/06critic.html?smid=tw-share&pagewanted=print

Norris, Michelle (2011). USDA Proposes Healthy Mandate For SchoolMenus. National Public Radio. Retrieved from: http://www.npr.org/2011/01/14/132940230/USDA-Issues-Healthy-Mandate-For-School-Menus.

The Obesity Epidemic and Memphis Students (2009). Center forDisease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/yrbs/pdf/obesity/memphis_obesity_combo.pdf

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Summary of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Actof 2010. Retrieved from: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/PL111-296_Summary.pdf