Federal Rules Will Make School Lunches Healthier But More Expensive

The Vernon Board of Education spent time at its Monday meeting learning about federal laws that are changing nutrition rules in school cafeterias and partially causing an increase locally in student breakfast and lunch prices by 25 cents for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Monica Pacheco, the director of food service for the local school district, presented to the board information from the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act passed in December of 2010 by President Barack Obama with support from his wife, Michelle.  The purpose of the legislation is to improve nutrition and focus on reducing childhood obesity by providing healthier and more nutritious food, educating children about making food choices and teaching healthy habits.

The rule changes that will be seen locally over the next two to three years include larger portions of fruits and vegetables, more whole grains and smaller meat portions, according to Pacheco.  Milk choices will no longer include whole or 2-percent milk.  Calorie intake also needs to be monitored, Pacheco said. 

There is an expectation to lower the sodium amount in school meals over the next 10 years, she said. 

The legislation falls under the direction of the United States Department of Agriculture.  The act allows the USDA to set nutritional standards, provide additional funding to schools so new standards can be met and set basic standards for school wellness policies, according to a news release from the White House. 

Many area food service directors forwarded concerns to the USDA about the new requirements, Pacheco explained to the board.  One concern is about the amount of food discarded by students and districts meeting the changes in the time frame, Pacheco said.

Board of Education member George Apel found the new rules “disturbing” because the federal government was implementing a mandate, but not providing the funding to fully support the measure. He was also concerned with health implications these new dietary measures might have for some students. 

“These are not correct for people with health concerns,” Apel said. “All of us are not the same chemical plant. This is not a good plan for a diabetic.”

The board voted to increase school lunch prices for 2011-2012. The increase will be 25 cents on both breakfast and lunch.  There has not been an increase on school lunches in three years in Vernon. Pacheco explained that food offerings, food costs, and fuel costs as well as the USDA setting a minimum standard for meal pricing for schools requires an increase. Breakfast will cost $1.25 for elementary schools and $1.50 for the middle and high schools. Lunch will cost $2.25 at the elementary schools, $2.50 at the middle school and $2.75 at the high school.