School Meals Update

Each year, more than 30 million students eat meals at schools. These are one of the healthiest meals for many students and a critical part of childhood nutrition.

Studies have shown that nutritious meals in schools increase attendance and improve test scores of students.  Despite school meals being one of the healthiest sources of food for students, too many children consume too much sodium and added sugars, and too few whole grains. The foods that kids eat have a tremendous impact on their heart health as they grow up. If our schools serve nutritious food, our kids will be healthier and have lower rates of cardiovascular disease as adults. 

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released updated standards for school meals that would help children who rely on meals at school to get the proper nutrients to help them succeed in the classroom and have a healthy future.  This update for the first time ever caps the amount of added sugars in meals! Added sugars are a significant source of excess calories, provide no new nutritional value and may cause weight gain and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.  

Research shows that strong school meal nutrition standards result in healthier food and drinks being served to children and increase participation in school meal programs, leading to improved nutrition and food security. Surveys also show that educators, parents and, most importantly, students enjoy healthier meals.  

Special interests have been lobbying Congress to reduce the massive impact these new standards will have on the heart health of children in schools. Congress is in the middle of the appropriations process, the method through which funding for various government programs is distributed. In recent years, Congress has used this process to weaken nutrition standards for school meals.  

You’re the Cure advocates have been asking their lawmakers to support healthy standards for school meals, and your elected officials need to hear from you!  Click here to ask them to protect healthy food in schools.