Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Signed!

As I have mentioned in several previous blogs, childhood nutrition is in need of some major improvements.  This is particularly true in regards to the foods provided to children as part of their lunch, vending machine, and a la carte options offered at schools and daycare facilities.  On Monday, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 was officially approved and signed.  Hopefully, this will be a major step in the right direction towards improving childhood nutrition and decreasing childhood obesity.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act sets forth a number of goals and guidelines, some of which include:

• Giving the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) the authority to set nutritional standards for all foods sold in schools during the day.  This includes school meals, vending machine options, and a la carte options.
• Aids in the establishment of local 'farm-to-school' networks and school gardens in an attempt to focus on fresh, locally grown foods.
• Sets basic standards for school wellness programs that include nutrition education and physical activity.
• Requires school districts to be reviewed every three years to see if they have met new nutritional standards.
• Requires schools to make nutritional information on school meals more available to parents.
• Provides additional funding to schools that meet the updated nutritional standards.

While updated nutritional standards do not appear to have been developed or released yet, a sample menu suggests that healthier options like more fruits and vegetables, more whole grain foods (whole wheat spaghetti, whole wheat dinner rolls, etc.), more low-fat replacements (low-fat salad dressing rather than regular salad dressings), and leaner protein products (turkey, fish, etc) will be emphasized. Although changes will not appear overnight, this new piece of legislation has the potential to make real improvements in childhood nutrition and wellness that will hopefully lead to reductions in childhood obesity.  You can download a fact sheet that provides more information as well as a sample menu at Let's Move.

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