(CNR) School Nutrition Programs Lesson

School Nutrition Programs Lesson 

School Lunch Image Reads: Thanks to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and similar legislation, 30% of American middle schools and high schools offer lunch options for vegetarians, and 85% of high school lunch programs have fresh vegetables and fruit on a daily basis. By federal law, deep-fried foods are limited to two portions per week.President Harry S. Truman created the School Nutrition Act (led to the provision of a meal for each child at school no matter the cost) in 1946. This act came in response to the military rejecting men because of their health-related problems. The President wanted to ensure that children were eating well so they would grow up to be healthy, productive citizens.   Even though the school lunch program had been around before this time, the act created a measure for all schools. This act also ensured that the schools would receive allotments of USDA agriculture and meat.

The national school lunch program provides each student with a nutritious and healthy lunch. Children that have a healthy lunch usually have fewer disciplinary problems, pay attention better in class and attend school more frequently. To be able to qualify for this program, the income of the household must be at 130% of the national poverty level which was $23,800 in 2010.  Reduced price meals are available for some families with slightly higher incomes.

The lunchroom does not have to cover the fee of the lunch. Each school is reimbursed by the federal government for the amount of money lost from each lunch. In 2010 this was $2.72 per meal for the free lunch program. In addition to the federal money schools receive, some schools qualify for free food from the USDA.

Although this program seems great, it took a few decades for it to be implemented fully. Many of the schools located in rural areas were not built to house lunchrooms or common eating areas. At the time, the schools were built solely for learning and the children were supposed to go home and eat lunch. Also, some of the principals did not believe their purpose was to provide food for the students. They did not see a need for meals at school. Other people did not want to enroll in the program because they did not want to be labeled as "poor" and unable to provide a meal.

As the School Nutrition Program gained steam along with financial backing from the government, more schools received the funding needed to provide meals to students. New studies were presented that linked learning to hunger and administrators began to see the benefit of providing a meal at school. The end result: every child will be given a school lunch and paying for that lunch would no longer be an issue.

School breakfasts and lunches must meet the applicable recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories come from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. In addition, breakfasts must provide one-fourth of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and calories. The decisions about which foods to serve and how they should be prepared are made by local school food authorities.

  • Lets Move Program ImageLet's Move! Program: Let's Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched in 2010, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity. Let's Move! offers parents helpful information and fosters environments that support healthy choices. It focuses on providing healthier foods in schools, ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food, and helping kids become more physically active. Click on the logo to the right to learn more.
  • Free and Reduced Lunch Program: The National School Lunch Act began in 1946. Provides students with a lunch for free or at a reduced price. Based on family income.
  • Breakfast Program: Began as a pilot project and was made permanent in 1975. Provides students with a healthy breakfast at a free or reduced price. Based on family income.
  • Milk Program: Began in Chicago in 1940. Was made part of the Child Nutrition Act in 1960. Provided needy children with a low price pint of whole milk.
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program: This program provides healthy meals and snacks to adults and children in public and private non-profit facilities. It also provides snacks for children in afterschool care and emergency shelters.
  • Summer Lunch Program: Offers students the option of having a healthy meal in the summer whether they go to summer school or not.
  • Department of Defense Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program: This program delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to schools and military bases. This offers the school the produce allotment from the USDA. So, schools do not have to use their funds for fresh fruits and vegetables.

In 2010, President Obama reauthorized the Hunger-Free Kids Act. This act provides more funding for school lunch programs. It also supports more fresh fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria. It also raises nutritional standards in child care facilities. It allows for the USDA to raise quality standards for school breakfasts and lunches. It encourages the farm-to-school program and for schools to plant gardens. Overall, it encourages wellness and nutrition in school and daycare settings.

 

Self-Assessment: History of Food Programs

 

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