The biggest overhaul to school lunches in the past 15 years is giving states heartburn. The federal government has mandated a healthier menu, and state and school officials are trying to figure out how to cope with the added costs.
At issue is the sweeping Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that Congress passed last year at the urging of first lady Michelle Obama, who has launched a childhood anti-obesity campaign. The aim is to replace the junk food and unhealthy lunches common in many schools with more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and less salt and fat.
“Although the federal government is giving states some upfront money to implement the new law, this equates to an unfunded mandate of hundreds of millions of dollars that goes into perpetuity,” says Jeannemarie Davis, who heads Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell’s office in Washington, D.C.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
3 comments:
Does not matter how healthy they demand we eat in our schools, most of that expensive food will go in the trash! The kids will go home and eat their cookies and chips.
"The aim is to replace the junk food and unhealthy lunches common in many schools with more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and less salt and fat"
This is a farce. I can tell you that in my children's school, they serve pop tarts, whole grain pop tarts. That is what they consider a healthy option in our area. The difference in calories, fat, etc is so minimal that it is not worth the inflated price they (the school) for the words "whole grain". What makes matters worse is that they serve sticky buns the next day! Lets face it folks, if you want your kids to eat healthy, feed them from home. Don't give me a song and dance about "it's expensive to eat healthy" either. Just admit it is easier and faster not to.
For many people it is expensive to eat healthy! I beg to differ.
Post a Comment