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Editor's Notes
School meal programs began as a dual effort to combat hunger and help to provide a market for surplus agricultural goods.Over time, this role evolved to providing children with nutritious meals and educating them about proper nutrition.
Early History: The depression years of the 1930's deepened the concern over hunger and malnourishment among school children. During World War II, nearly one-third of the young men turned down for military service was rejected due to nutritional deficiencies. This led to the establishment of the NSLP as a permanent program in 1946.Lunches must be offered between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Regulations require SFAs to follow sanitation and health standards established by State and local law. Regulations also require schools to obtain two food safety inspections per school year and follow a HACCP-based food safety program.
The SBP began in 1966 to assist schools serving breakfasts to "nutritionally needy" children.While the term "nutritionally needy" was not defined, the original legislation stipulated that first consideration for program implementation was to be given to schools in poor areas or in areas where children had to travel a great distance to school.The Department has promoted SBP in recent years by encouraging schools to offer breakfast, tying participation in SBP to certain reimbursement arrangements that schools may find attractive, and promoting “Breakfast in Classroom” options which allow students to be served breakfast when they arrive at class in the morning rather than having to visit the cafeteria before the start of the school day.Other Note: The NSLP and SBP may be supplemented by the Special Milk Program (SMP), which provides milk to needy students free of charge. The SMP is also available to schools which are unable to provide meals.
Not technically considered to be a school meal program, though schools operating afterschool programming and other child care facilities may be participants.Schools may supplement their food service by participating in CACFP if they have afterschool care and would like to offer both snacks and suppers.Schools that only wish to offer afterschool snacks typically do not enroll in CACFP as these can be provided through the NSLP. (Suppers, however, cannot.)
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides all children in selected elementary schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day, but outside of Breakfast and Lunch periods. It is an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options.The focus is on schools with high free and reduced-priced eligible studentsThe goal of the FFVP is to:• Create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices.• Expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience.• Increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption.• Make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health
And now let’s discuss the nutrition requirements for the program. Requirements for the CN programs follow the Dietary Guidelines. RDAs = Recommended dietary allowancesRecent update to the nutrition standards to align meals with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines.
Updating the nutrition standards to incorporate the recommendations of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. Call for more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat and fat-free milk.Emphasize consumption of nutrient-rich foods and appropriate portions.
More fruits at breakfast and lunchMore vegetables (orange, green, legumes, other)More whole grainsFat-free and low-fat milk onlyRestrictions on calories, sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat.Sodium limit: This is a final goal thatwill be phased-in. There are intermediate sodium limits that will help schools reduce the sodium content of the meal gradually.
Meal reimbursements are updated annually based on adjustments to the Consumer Price Index.USDA foods are high quality, domestically produced, varied in selection, and often more cost-effective than other alternatives due to USDA’s purchasing power.Annually each State receives USDA Food entitlement is based on the meals served in the prior year.The entitlement dollar amount is established and it becomes each states’ “cash” to order USDA Foods for it’s schools.The way schools decide how to use their entitlement is solely based on a School Food Authority’s business decisions. It is also influenced by what states offer from what USDA makes available which can be found on our Foods Available List on our website.
Circumstances allowing for Free/Reduced-Price Benefits:They reside in households characterized by economic hardshipThey reside in households qualifying for other public assistance programsChildren are runaways, migrant, homeless, or living under foster care are also eligible for free mealsEconomic hardship is defined by households with income no greater than 130% of the Federal Poverty Guideline to qualify for free meals, and no greater than 185% for reduced-price meals. The Federal Poverty Guideline is adjusted annually.Households with children eligible based on participation in other public assistance programs is referred to as categorical eligibility. Most income-tested programs qualify; for example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and in some States the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, depending on the income eligibility cutoff.
Direct certification reduces administrative burden and helps to eliminate reliance on individual applications.Beginning in this upcoming school year, FNS is requiring participating schools to employ direct certification to a much greater extent.
Samples target applications close to the eligibility cutoff, where mistakes are more likely. These are known as ‘error-prone’ applications.Sampling is done randomly using accepted statistical methods; while schools have a number of options with regards to how they will obtain their verification sample, they must be able to ensure the accuracy of their results with 95% confidence.
New Department-level initiative commenced in September 2009.
As the agency responsible for administering America’s armed forces, DoD is also responsible for keeping those soldiers fed. Through this valuable partnership, USDA Foods gains access to DoD’s tremendous purchasing power, bringing down costs for local schools seeking to make purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Collaborations include the “Healthy Recipes for Healthy Kids” competition, in which schools were tasked with developing nutritious recipes compatible with the updated nutrition standards rolled out in February.
The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. The goal of the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is to improve the health of the Nation’s children by promoting healthier school environments. To help meet the goal, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) identifies schools that have made changes to: -improve the quality of the foods served, -provide students with nutrition education, and -provide students with physical education and opportunities for physical activity. Schools receiving a HUSSC award will commit to meeting the criteria throughout their 4-year certification period. The criteria currently reflect the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published recommendations (April 2007) for foods served in schools, outside of the organized school lunch meals. First Lady Michelle Obama introduced Let’s Move! in February 2010. HealthierUS School Challenge was incorporated into her campaign and has been promoted across the country through Let’s Move! National attention brings more support and motivation for schools to take the Challenge.We are currently partnering with other organizations and entities that will help us to encourage schools to take the Challenge (like FuelUpToPlay60 and Action for Healthy Kids). As a result of making positive changes in the school environment, schools receive a banner, a certificate, positive media attention.We are very pleased that 3098 schools have received recognition as HealthierUS School Challenge awardees---receiving bronze, silver, gold, or gold of distinction awards.
