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Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

A Fresh Look at Lunch

Spanish Translation

Andrea Delbanco

Congress is taking a hard look at school lunch. Nutrition experts agree: It's time for a change.

How much of what you ate for lunch today was fresh? A recent School Nutrition Association (SNA) study reveals that most schools cook fewer than half of their main courses from scratch. Many school meals include packaged, processed foods that are loaded with salt and fat. Experts say the time has come to shift school lunch away from packaged foods to locally grown natural ingredients.

The Child Nutrition Act is set to expire at the end of this month. Created in 1966, the act must be reauthorized every five years. It provides $12 billion to pay for breakfast and lunch for some 30 million schoolchildren. Soon, Congress will take a look at how that money is spent.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is also expected to weigh in. It plans to upgrade school-wide nutrition standards this year. The standards control what is sold in school stores and vending machines, and what can be served in schools. The last time these standards changed was 15 years ago, when high-calorie processed foods were more popular.

Dietary guidelines used to limit fat content but did not restrict carbohydrates. This resulted in school meals that were loaded with pasta, bread, corn and potatoes.

Where's the Lunch Money?

Although nutrition is a top priority, cost is also a major concern for schools and the government. Most school districts receive $2.68 for each free lunch they serve. This often is not enough to cover the cost of healthier foods such as whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Currently, 42% of schools don't offer daily fresh fruits and vegetables.

President Barack Obama's 2010 budget set aside an extra $1 billion for child-nutrition programs. "Let's figure out how we can get fresh fruits and vegetables in the mix," Obama said. "We've got to change how we think about getting local farmers connected to school districts."

Many schools are already making efforts to promote healthier diets. Some 9,000 schools have joined a national farm-to-school program that provides locally grown food to school cafeterias. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 63% of schools have stopped selling sugary soft drinks. Many schools no longer serve whole milk and instead serve lower-fat milk.

Be a Part of the Process!

Katie Wilson, former president of the SNA, believes a good school-lunch plan gets kids to try new, nutritious foods. And the best way to implement that plan, she says, is to make sure school kitchens have the proper equipment. Steamed veggies can be tasty if prepared the right way.

What do you like? Speak up before the big changes come to your lunchroom. "Invite a local legislator to breakfast or lunch," suggests Wilson. "Or write letters to tell them your preferences. Be a part of this process."

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