There are some changes in school nutrition requirements currently being discussed. With the January release of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 and the 2009 recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the 111th Congress has enacted the Child Nutrition Reauthorization.
A summary of proposed changes affecting school nutrition programs include the following:
- Fruit/Vegetable separated into 2 components
- A daily serving of fruit at breakfast and lunch
- A daily serving of vegetables at lunch that includes a weekly serving of dark green veggies, orange veggies, legumes
- A one cup maximum of starchy veggies per week (corn, green peas, white potatoes)
- Larger amounts of non-starchy veggies offered
- A new whole grain requirement – at least ½ of grains offered during the week must be whole grain rich
- Two years after implementation, all grains offered must be whole grain.
- Fat-free (flavored or unflavored) and unflavored low-fat milk only
- Students must select a fruit or a vegetable for a reimbursable meal
- Calorie Limits: both minimum and maximum levels
- Total Fat: a range of 25-35% of total calories
- Saturated Fat: remains at <10% of total calories
- Sodium: significant reductions to be reached no later than 10 years post implementation of final rule through intermediate targets
- Trans Fat: zero grams of trans fat per serving
The proposed rule is entitled: Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The proposed rule is now open for public comment until April 13, 2011 at www.regulations.gov.
Questions may be referred to Dr. Ann Dykes, Child Nutrition Director, Cherokee County Schools.