a look at the new healthy, hunger-free kids act
Kind Lifer Karen wrote to me earlier in the year to express her excitement about Congress passing the child nutrition bill, so I thought I'd give you all an update! On December 13, 2010, President Obama signed Congress's Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, a child nutrition bill that will make healthy meals more affordable for schools, and therefore more available to kids.
Let's take a look at what this bill means for our nation's school children! The Huffington Post breaks down eleven tenets of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, and I'll summarize them here (special thanks to PCRM's Kristin Adair for her feedback!):
- Schools who best meet the nutrition standards outlined in this bill will receive increased federal reimbursement for school meals. Translation: healthier lunches for kids equals more money for schools.
- The USDA will be required to update their nutrition standards for meals and snacks in schools so they are consistent with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and recommendations from the Institute of Medicine that encourage more fruits, veggies, and whole grains in school meals - which is great news! Nutritionists and experts will consult with the USDA to make sure these standards are as healthy as possible.
- Federal funds will be allocated for school gardens and farm-to-school programs in which schools partner with local farms to provide nutritious, local food for meals. This is huge!!
- The USDA can now regulate what kinds of processed foods are sold in schools. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the junk food industry's pervasive presence in many schools today.
- Schools in areas with high poverty will receive money from the government for providing free meals to students. This is so important for students who do not have access to healthy foods at home.
- Funding will be provided to state and local organizations that promote fitness and nutrition education. By laying the foundation for a lifelong healthy lifestyle, these organizations will work with experts and education professionals to fight childhood obesity.
- Water must be available free of charge during school meals. Can you believe this wasn't the case before??? I hope the water that will now be provided isn't in plastic bottles - and I hope it's filtered water. Wouldn't it be nice if they just had a jug of filtered water on each lunch table?
- Funding will be allocated to research projects aimed at ending hunger and examining the causes and consequences of it.
- The USDA and Health and Human Services will create programs to promote healthy eating and the reduction of childhood obesity, using the principles of behavioral economics research.
- Good nutrition starts with breastfeeding! State agencies that demonstrate increased rates of breastfeeding for newborn children will be rewarded, and funds will be made available for the purchase of breast pumps.
- Foster children will automatically be eligible for free meals without having to demonstrate their income.
You can read the full text of the bill here, and you can read the White House fact sheet about the bill here. I kind of can't believe this got passed - I sooo hope it is put into action! What a wonderful effort on President Obama's part, and all who fought for and created this bill.
What else can we do to improve children's nutrition inside and outside of our nation's schools?
26 comments
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An article from Dubai described how schools in that city, forbid students to bring unhealthy foods to school. The list includes soft drinks, candies, chocolate, artificially flavored milk, deep fried foods, hamburgers, artificial ingredients, and so on. The emphasis is on fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
Even teaching about healthy vegetarian eating is a political hot potato in our school districts. The nutrition courses in our high schools are sponsored by the meat and dairy associations. The standards boards have for many decades been infultrated by members friendly to the food and agriculture industries. Do not trust the standards set by these committees. Dairy and meat are not necessary for health, in fact, they are detrimental to human health when better plant based alternatives are available.
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Patricia R., what a fabulous idea about schools growing their own gardens as part of class studies. Students could learn so much from having a "gardening class" - it could be incorporated into biology studies, nutrition classes, earth science courses, so many things.
Suzann
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This is so wonderful! With a son just entering kindergarten, it is huge on my heart to have healthy, veg meals in school - how wonderful that this could be the beginning of something really amazing for all kids across the nation who may not have access to healthful meals at home.
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I am a public school teacher in a low-income district where a vast majority of the kids eat free or reduced lunch. I cringe every day as I watch my students eat the nasty crap they serve in our school. What's even more disheartening is the ridiculous propaganda plastered on the walls of the cafeteria, feeding American children complete misinformation about health and nutrition. As Patricia Ruiz mentioned above, the programs that provide these posters are conveniently provided by companies like Kraft, Nabisco, Coca-Cola, and the worst culprit of all--the National Milk Producers Federation. If only more people could read books like The Kind Life or The China Study and realize how brainwashed we are, our children could be spared--our children who eat sugar all day and whose parents wonder why they can't concentrate or learn anything in school!
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This is wonderful news!
We must remember that not all parents have an interest in proper nutrition because there is a terrible gap that exists in terms of food cost. The crappiest food tends to be the least expensive, and too often, parents are forced to buy what they can afford -- without regard to the health issues that the food could be causing.
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I'm so happy that this Act was passed and I hope that it does fully make it's way into the schools. That would be so wonderful. This is a great step forward. I'm not a boilogical mom, and it's been a while since myself, my husband, or my step-daughters were in school, so I don't remember a lot about what was served in the lunch room. But, obviously this is a real issue, and I'm glad that it's getting the attention that is deserves now. If I went to school right now, I'd have to pack my own lunch for sure.
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This is such awesome news! I did sign the Jamie Oliver petition to get this bill passed. I try to have my kids eat healthy lunches however, I do allow them some choices at their school. I was shocked to find out that one of the "entrees" was a pretzel with cheese (what I call plastic cheese). This year the pretzel has been upgraded to whole wheat...still too processed though. It is a challenge to do vegan lunches when they do not have access to a means of heating soups for instance. On the breastfeeding discussion...I did not make milk for any of my three children, nor did my mother, nor her mother...some women, for whatever reason, do not make milk. This was very difficult on me with my first child.
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Right catconsrv!
I did not think of that. And I guess child mortality rates were much higher back then, especially because not everyone had access to a wet nurse(ie. a slave).
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Patrica Ruiz, you are so dead on! I posted earlier, and this is exactly what our kids school does. they garden, can and employ an organic certified Chef. they also have a sugar policy and its so great. Not only does it supply the children with great hot lunches it teaches nutrition naturally. I think anyone who's interested in a model school lunch program should look to Oak Farm Montessori School located in Avila Indiana.
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Great post... I wanted to respond to the reqest at the bottom for ideas.... You could coordinate a "natural food drive" for the school, or corodinate a professional development course for lunchroom staff with possible topics, "Developing a School Lunch Menu with Vegan Recipies that kids will eat." My mother used to be a lunchroom manager at a high school where the girls would not eat, because the school lunch made the fat, and the salad bar was "gross." My mother developed salad bar options that included her protein requirement by using humus and peanut butter. She also switched from iceburg lettuce to romain, and insitsted on making their dressings in house. For her "hot food" line she brought in her own recipies from home and adjusted them to the larger portions. The students loved her black bean and rice, and chilli recipies- which had zero meat in them. I say the students loved them... should say the students would go by "extras" on those days, which was great for the staff, no leftovers! By spending a little less on some veggitarian type meals, she was able to "splurge" on her meats and purchase the same quality meat as the high end restaurants in town. Implementation of the plan will depend largely on the comfort of the cooks in the kitchen... helping them out with menu options that fit within their budget and restrictions (food allergies) would be a great way to help your local school.
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I have a child in the LAUSD school district in California and I would LOVE to see this bill implemented in our school district! At the same time, Jamie Oliver (NOT A VEGAN - but supporter of teaching people a healthier way to eat) has been trying to get into the LAUSD schools but they won't let him in! He is asking parents to please write to the LAUSD Board Members to ask them to let Jamie come to Los Angeles schools. http://www.facebook.com/FoodRevolutionLosAngeles
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Well said Holley. it also amazes me how people have kids in school and don't even realize what they eat. The problem is the lack of education of parents about nutrition. Most people don't know that the majority of "health and nutrition" studies done to form the famous food pyramid and nutritional guidelines for our country are sponsored by such companies as Kraft, Nabisco and Coca Cola. People need to wake up and demand we get our health and nutrition back through education and holding these people responsible for what they have done. On the other side, there has to be a way to make organic foods more affordable for families. Maybe schools can grow their own gardens and make it a mandatory culinary class.
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Oh and I also agree with VegWhoHatesTofu about teaching your kids to eat healthy at home. I am all for healthy lunches at school, but parents need to take responsiblity for their child's nutrition at home as well. I'm pretty sure my nephews live on cereal, hot dogs, spaghetti-o's, candy, and fast food.
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I'm in Roswell, GA (Cobb County) and the elementary school food is very scary and what I see is 99.9% processed food. Yes, they do have a bowl of fruit for kids to pick up but it's not part of the meal and my kids have to pay extra for it. I hope this is actually executed in the school systems. Regarding breastfeeding....my personal experience was not very successful. I did breast feed my first child for 12 weeks but I had to double pump and still couldn't ever produce enough milk for my child...I tried all the trick of eating certain foods to produce more and it never worked. Also, the double pumping caused hormone fluctuations that resulted in the baby blues. Although I think its the best thing for a baby, it may not be the best fit for everyone.
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Alyx, I would say way back in the day if the mother couldn't breastfeed the baby would die. Also, some women had wet nurses (aka slaves that breastfed their babies for them). I saw that thing about chemicals in breast milk too today. It is scary. It amazes me how much pregnant women don't think about this stuff. I plan to never have kids but I knew more about what to eat and what not to eat while pregnant than my sister-in-law did whe she got prego! She didn't even know not to eat shellfish. Come on! I saw her chugging Mountain Dew! Give me a break! When we mentioned these things to her she acted all disgusted. It astounds me.
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Hoorah!
I live in Canada, so this doesnt really apply to me, but maybe the meat and dairy industries won't dump so much of their bologna(pun intended) into American schools. Hey-it's nice to dream.
Holley Booth-that is slightly disturbing! About chemicals.
When I finally decide to procreate, I will be breastfeeding. I have a girlfriend that couldnt(so she thinks) and I cant help but think, how did so many babies survive, back in the day, if soo many women cant breastfeed.
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I read a sobering report in USA Today about a test done on pregnant women's blood. They were looking for chemicals and 100% of the women tested had a chemical found in rocket fuel. The others were lead, mercury, BPA, and some others. Scary. I breastfed my youngest until she was 16 months old. A little too old, but she was so happy. She kept me up all night though because she wanted a living pacifier-me. A lot of women don't even try to see if it works for their babies. That is what God gave us breasts for. They aren't a fashion accessory or a play thing for men. (Don't tell them that they would be crushed). The obesity rate in children and the high number of children with diabetes should be enough for parents to want their kids to eat healthy. Then again some parents smoke around their children and then wonder why they get asthma and ear problems.
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I've been seeing a lot of commercials on TV promoting breast feeding lately (sponsored by some NYC organization) I think it's wonderful. You'd be shocked how many women think they can't breastfeed but it's just that they have to try different positions for the baby (granted there are people who literally can't, which is understandable). I unfortunately have known people who have chosen not to do it out of fears of their breasts drooping. So sad to put yourself before your child for something so superficial.
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This is a great step in the right direction. My kids will be starting school in a couple years so I'm so happy to see school lunches becoming healthier :)
And I also agree that kids should be taught how to eat well at home. Just like any aspect of a child's education, the parents are their first teachers. Teaching kids about healthy foods at home will equip them to make healthy choices outside of the home.
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I am glad to hear this also, the meals that the kids in our area are offered are not really edible at times. I will be glad to see this put into effect.
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So excited to hear this! We are so lucky, my children go to a wonderful Montessori School which employs there very own Organic Chef. You can purchase hot lunches that are both healthy and nutritious. the lunches are also super affordable, $3 and they always have several vegetarian options. our school also has a packed lunch sugar policy, no one item can have more then 10 grams of sugar. they also prohibit juice and only offer filtered water. So lucky!
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Wow...Very inspiring..I always pack my son's lunch anyway (because we are vegan) but this is a wonderful beginning for kids & their parents to learn about health.. And TOTALLY AWESOME about breastfeeding!!! That is sooooo important to the life-long health of your child!
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I was so thrilled this got passed. Education is where it starts, and I'm glad they are going to put more energy into education about food. It's frightening how high the obesity rates are in children. I hope this also motivates parents to try harder, because school isn't the only place where this should be taught; it should also be a lesson in the home.
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