School lunches for this year have been somewhat different. Finding out why things have changed was actually fairly simple.

Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, championed by the First Lady and signed by President Barack Obama, the USDA made some of its first major changes in school meals in 15 years, which hopes to raise a healthier generation of children.

Blue Valley Southwest needed to “meet USDA nutritional guidelines” said Ann Gillen, Blue Valley SouthWest cafeteria worker.

There is only two things that are not whole grain. Those two items are the pasta bar and the french bread pizza. Things including goldfish, rice krispies, cookies, popcorn chicken, pancakes, french toast sticks, and spicy chicken sandwiches.

Another reason for the changes was “Mrs. Obama, an economist, and a sociologist and that group decided on a new school menu as far as nutritional guidelines,” said Willie Brown, head chef.

The new standards align school meals with the latest nutrition science and the real world circumstances of America’s schools. These responsible reforms do what’s right for children’s health in a way that’s achievable in schools across the nation.

“Anything bread or bun has been the same for the past three years so it has been whole grain for the past three years” said Brown.

In addition to whole grains, lower fat options are available. Doritos have always reduced fat they say RF on the front of the bag in big capital letter print.

Another reason for the changes is childhood obesity. According to the New York Times, of the 142 obese children in the study for whom dietary information was known, almost half were school-lunch regulars, compared with only one-third of the 787 who were not obese.

“All school districts get get state and federal funding.” said Brown. However the state can pull the funding. The state can pull funding if students aren’t getting two plus food groups.

“I think the changes have gone too far,” said Brown.

There are reimbursable meals if students get 1/2 serving of fruits or vegetables and 2 plus food groups.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/health/research/08childhood.html?_r=0

http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals