It’s that time of year again. Children and parents across the country are dusting off their pens and pencils and searching for the perfect backpack because it’s back to school time! But as children return to school, what kind of food will they be getting at breakfast and lunch?
hero_image_alt_text===Child eating at school
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thumbnail_alt_text===Child eating at school
School nutrition standards have been around since the Truman administration. And since 2012, schools have made significant efforts to align their menus with the latest nutrition science. We’re proud of that progress. But unfortunately, some of it was reversed in December 2018 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made a misguided decision to roll back sodium and whole grains targets, potentially putting children’s health at risk.
The rollbacks included delaying and eliminating sodium reduction targets, locking in unhealthy levels of sodium allowed in school meals.– In addition, only half of grain products served must be whole grain-rich – previously, this requirement applied to all grain servings.. These rollbacks come despite the fact that 90% of school age children already eat more than the recommended amount of sodium per day and one-third of children are overweight or obese, putting them at an increased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. At this time, we need to be making school lunches healthier, not less.
We can’t let this attack on our children’s health stand. We need to do something about it! Luckily, there is something quick and easy you can do to help! Please click here and take just 30 seconds to sign our petition urging Congress to strengthen and protect school meal nutrition standards.
Congress is currently considering legislation, known as the Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR). CNR has a BIG impact on what our kids eat in school. Through the CNR, members of Congress have a chance to correct USDA’s mistake by including language that strengthens nutrition standards for school meals which will help children reach their full potential.
Please take just 30 seconds and sign the petition above and tell Congress to give children a fighting chance of reaching their full potential by protecting and strengthening school meal nutrition standards.
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