|
JDB: Cincinnati public schools have made tremendous improvements in this area. The School Food Service Director, Jessica Shelly, worked with district administrators and the school board to implement Ohio’s nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages a full year before they were required to do so by the state. Since implementing these guidelines, the district has seen a dramatic increase in school meal participation—64 percent in high schools and 90 percent in elementary schools—which turned a previous budget deficit into a $4.5 million surplus. Because the district drastically improved school meals and made changes to snacks at the same time, students couldn’t turn to less healthy snacks and were driven to try the new and improved lunch program, increasing meal participation to its highest level in two decades. As a result, more students throughout the city are receiving a well-balanced, nutritious lunch.
What other variables did you consider when reviewing the data?
NW: We wanted to make sure that any changes in school food service revenue could be attributed to the implementation of snack food and beverage standards. To do this, we also took in to account the growth in school enrollment; local child poverty and hunger rates,; the proportion of children in elementary, middle, or high school; the ethnic make-up of school children,; and any growth in the number of schools in a state over this time period. Our findings held after we controlled for all of these factors.
With new nutrition standards for school meals currently being implemented, what challenges remain in the school food environment?
JDB: The updates to nutrition standards for school meals mean that kids are now seeing more servings and varieties of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. That’s great news, but there’s definitely still more to be done. The next step in improving the school food environment is for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to refresh guidelines for all of the other foods sold in schools, such as snack foods and beverages available in school stores, a la carte lines, and vending machines. USDA just proposed updates to these guidelines for the first time in over 30 years. Given that in the same 30 years, childhood obesity rates have nearly tripled, it is critically important that USDA finalize these rules and ensure that all foods available to children are healthy foods.
What action do you want USDA to take?
JDB: We are urging USDA to work efficiently to finalize updated nutrition standards to help schools sell healthier snack foods and beverages in school stores, a la carte lines and vending machines. Additionally, USDA should consider adopting practices – as recommended in the HIA – to assist schools in effectively implementing these changes. This will be a huge step in ensuring that all foods and beverages sold in U.S. schools are healthy.
"All over the region, little pockets of activity are coalescing into a collaborative Food Revolution a la Jamie Oliver, the British chef who champions healthier food in schools and elsewhere. Last fall at the One Young World conference held here, he challenged Pittsburgh to revamp its eating habits -- and Pittsburgh's delegates took him seriously."
More info"With childhood obesity — and other health issues and nutrition requirements — increasing in schools, Williamsburg-James City County is focusing on providing nutritious meals to students."
More info"Representatives from National Food Group handed out samples of what could be on next year’s menu. Students sampled beef barbacoa with roasted vegetables, whole grain cheese ravioli with chunky marinara sauce and baked cod filet. Other items were cranberry oatmeal bars and breakfast items oatmeal chocolate vertical bars and berry apple crisp vertical bar."
More info"The Pew Charitable Trust recently issued a statement recognizing this as a significant step to help children nationwide. The School Food Modernization Act would help schools improve their meal programs in two ways. One part of the legislation would authorize a USDA competitive grant program through which schools could obtain training and technical assistance for foodservice employees."
More infoJessica Donze Black, director of the Pew Kids' Safe & Healthful Foods Project, speaks with Education Week about a bipartisan bill that would provide money for school kitchen upgrades.
More infoJessica Donze Black, project director for Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project, is featured in Time magazine article about healthy school lunches.
More info"Recent changes to the federal school lunch program require more fresh fruits and vegetables to be served, but many schools in Iowa and across the country lack the fridge space needed to store large quantities of fresh produce, the Republican lawmaker said."
More infoJessica Donze Black, Pew’s expert on childhood nutrition, issued the following statement on the School Food Modernization Act.
More info"The USDA is updating the existing nutritional food standards set in 1979, which will require all snack foods sold in public schools to meet new health standards."
More info"Marty Tatara has succeeded with 'Six Cent For Child' certification, which will increase federal funding for nutrition in Madison City Schools."
More info"Orange County Public Schools are continuing to offer up a host of different lunch options to students throughout the county, expanding their taste buds through different food choices."
More info"High school students don't need to have access to caffeine on campus. Snacks sold at elementary and middle schools shouldn't have as many calories as those sold at high schools. And maybe schools shouldn't have vending machines or a la carte lunch lines at all."
More infoIn the absence of a national policy, school snack food standards vary by state. Jessica Donze Black, director of the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project, speaks with The Washington Post about this issue.
More infoCopyright(c) 1996-2012 The Pew Charitable Trusts. All Rights Reserved.
[+] Feedback PHG.PRODUCTION.1.20130430.1322 (PEWSUWVMWAPP01)
.jpg "Interactive: Calculating The Cost: A look into your child's school meal")
