A number of schools in this region participate in the National School Lunch Program, a federally assisted meal program designed to provide nutritionally balanced, low‐cost or free lunches to the students. The National School Lunch Program also includes reimbursement for snacks served to children in afterschool educational and enrichment programs to include children through eighteen years of age.
School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the lunch program get cash subsidies and USDA foods from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each meal they serve. In return, the schools must serve lunches that meet Federal
requirements, and they must offer free or reduced price lunches to eligible children.
The Healthy, Hunger‐Free Kids Act of 2010 directed the Department of Agriculture to update the National School Lunch Program’s meal pattern and nutrition standards based on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The new meal pattern went into effect at the beginning of the current school year (2012-2013), and it increases the availability of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the school menu. New dietary specifications set specific calorie limits to ensure age‐appropriate meals for students in Grades K‐5, 6‐8, and 9‐12. Other meal enhancements include gradual reductions in the sodium content of the meals. Although the school lunches must meet Federal meal requirements, decisions about what specific foods to serve and how they are prepared are made by local school food authorities.
Media reports:
The News-Times: Bethel students bite into new lunches (6 SEP 12)
Hingham Journal: Hingham school lunches get healthier (6 SEP 12)
WPRI-TV: School lunch provider teams with farm (21 AUG 12)
WCAX-TV: Vt. school lunches may be more expensive (23 AUG 12)
Background information:
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food and Nutrition Service: National School Lunch Program
U.S. Department of Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food and Nutrition Service: Small Farms/School Meals Initiative
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food and Nutrition Service: Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment