Highlights include reducing sugars and increasing whole grains.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently announced updates to nutrition standards for school meal programs. The proposed updates intend to make 80 percent of the provided grains whole grain by 2024, limit high-sugar products by 2025, and reduce added sugar and sodium in future years. These standards proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are available for public comment, which will be open for the next 30 days.
“This is a national security imperative. It’s a healthcare imperative for our children. It’s an equity issue. It’s an educational achievement issue. And it’s an economic competitiveness issue,” Secretary Vilsack said, highlighting how proper nutrition impacts life and overall wellbeing. Supporters of the changes echo the health benefits of whole grains and less-processed food, but some critics are concerned that underfunded school districts will not be able to keep up with the higher costs of better food.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Vilsack as he advocates for healthier school lunches.
- For USDA officials as they consider the public feedback for the proposed lunch guidance.
Sources: Department of Agriculture, Reuters
