USDA HIGHLIGHTS IMPROVEMENTS TO NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

Published in Food Product Design, This is an excellent article to get you up to speed on the issues.

NEW ORLEANS—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on May 1 highlighted improvements to school meals and discussed efforts to create new partnerships with chefs around the country to positively impact the eating habits of children.

Speaking at MMi Culinary Services, Vilsack said USDA has made significant progress in improving the foods served to 32 million children each day through the National School Lunch Program. After the changes implemented by the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010, foods served in the lunch line include more fruits and vegetables, with less sugar, fat and sodium.

"Parents work hard to instill good eating habits in their children, and those efforts are being supported by the foods served in the school lunch line," he said. "USDA encourages partnerships between food service professionals, school administrators and industry to help make continued progress on food served in our schools. We continue to provide support for schools through additional reimbursements and technical assistance, while working with partners across America to find creative solutions to improve school nutrition."

USDA also has partnered with Chefs Move to Schools, working with chefs around the country to enhance school lunches, engage students in the food preparation process, and educate children about food and healthy eating. Chefs Move to Schools is a coalition supported by the School Nutrition Association, Share Our Strength and other partners that seeks to utilize the creativity and culinary experience of chefs to support school meal programs and instill healthy eating habits in kids. These organizations intend to formalize a partnership with USDA to strengthen the program and promote healthier school environments.

In his meeting with MMi, the Secretary also noted the importance of companies, such as MMi, who are making business choices that improve the health of children. Vilsack also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in supporting the health of our next generation.

Chefs Move to Schools was launched in 2010 by First Lady Michelle Obama and Sam Kass, now the Executive Director of Let's Move! USDA continues working with the First Lady on the Let's Move! initiative, which is helping to promote healthy eating and physical activity among American families. Through the combined efforts of USDA and its partners, the United States is beginning to see progress and improvements in the health of our nation's children.

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