New Standards Aim For Healthier Foods At School

June 28, 2013

Look for high calorie sports drinks and candy bars to be gone from vending machines and the cafeteria line at schools in the future, to be replaced by healthier items.

The USDA announced new “Smart Snacks in School” nutrition standards on Thursday. Under the new standards, students will be offered healthier food options during the school day.

The standards require healthier foods, more whole grains, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and leaner protein. Portion sizes will be cut, with snack and  a la carte items limited to 200 calories.

The rules include the ability for parents to send their kids to school with homemade lunches or treats for activities such as birthday parties, holidays, and other celebrations; and allowing schools to continue traditions like fundraisers and bake sales.

Schools and food and beverage companies will have an entire school year to make the necessary changes, and USDA will offer training and technical assistance every step of the way.

Comments

10 Responses to “New Standards Aim For Healthier Foods At School”

  1. bp on July 1st, 2013 8:30 pm

    I use to work in the lunchroom the food is pretty good. There was things i did not like as at home my mom fixed things i did not like. I did not eat it.same at school.

  2. SASSIE on June 30th, 2013 11:22 am

    I HAVE THE CHOICE TO EAT FROM THE SCHOOL LUNCH ARE NOT ( BUT LIKE THE PARENT WHO WAS EATING WITH THERE CHILD I AM TELLING YOU ( YOU CANNOT EAT MOST OF THE FOOD ) THEY NEED TO FIX ROLLS DRIED BEANS THE THINGS YOU CALL FOOD INSTEAD OF PIZZA EVERY WEEK SUB SANDWICHES ) WHO EVER MAKES UP THE LUNCH MENU NEEDS TO COME OUT TO THE SCHOOLS AND TRY THIS STUFF .IN OTHER WORDS KIDS ARE NOT GETTING FAT FROM SCHOOL LUNCHES ARE STUFF AT SCHOOL.BUT YOU GOT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO MAKE THRU THE DAY

  3. melodies4us on June 30th, 2013 12:07 am

    Let’s at least make the meals taste good.

  4. David Huie Green on June 29th, 2013 7:01 pm

    CONSIDERING:
    “Whoever is making our children eat this crap should have to eat it everyday also”

    It’s all good if you use enough Tabasco.

    David for Miz Dora Lee Killam,
    best cook in the universe

  5. Aggie Mom on June 29th, 2013 11:55 am

    After visiting my child for lunch last year, I was shocked at how bad the food tasted. Whoever is making our children eat this crap should have to eat it everyday also. Maybe then the food will get better. Healthy food shouldn’t taste so bad.

  6. David Huie Green on June 28th, 2013 1:38 pm

    REGARDING:
    “I must have overlooked the part of the Constitution that gives the federal government this power.”

    It was easy to miss since it isn’t in there.
    They don’t have any power to compel in this matter.
    They just have the power to withhold funding since that isn’t in the Constitution, either.
    It’s amazingly effective, though.

    David for talking money
    and M&M candy

  7. Casey on June 28th, 2013 9:38 am

    I agree with mnon and no excuses we always had something to do , running to a friends house, playing at the local park something to keep us moving. Now adays kids barley go outside. I bought a Wii for all of us to use for rainy days or when ever and I seem to use it more than my son ( who was always active in something or another). But our kids are the future and they are overweight, and will probably have more health problems sooner than we did or any other generation. We do need to do something and I think this is a good start. Also we need to raise to physical education level (credits) in our schools.

  8. No Excuses on June 28th, 2013 8:17 am

    The federal government already controls what goes into public institutions like schools and prisons and other government offices. This is simply a change for the better, in my humble opinion. Students and parents still have a right to eat whatever they wish – just can’t buy all of it on the school’s nickle anymore. They’ll have to pack it and bring it from home.

    We do have an obesity problem in this county AND with our young people. I’m with Mnon on this one – we were active when we were growing up, so our weight was acceptable. Too many sedentary activities for our youth today. Get up and get moving! Any little bit helps and is better than nothing.

  9. Fairlane63 on June 28th, 2013 7:18 am

    I must have overlooked the part of the Constitution that gives the federal government this power.

  10. mnon on June 28th, 2013 4:17 am

    I remember having chip machines and coke machines at school and we would skip the poor lunch at school and just snack out and we didn’t have issues. Back then though we didn’t have Xbox, computers, cellphones to sit around texting on, iPads, PSP’s and PS3s. We had outside chores and after fishing poles, a car to work on, shotguns to go hunting… basically staying active instead of sitting on our rears in the house until bed time.