Child Nutrition Reauthorization

Child Nutrition Reauthorization

Child Nutrition

Improving Nutritional Offerings

The Dietary Guidelines need to be the foundation of federal food assistance and nutrition programs.

Schools — School nutrition programs should provide foods consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Excluding foods defined as minimally nutritious from schools will give children a better opportunity to learn good nutrition habits and attain health and nutrition literacy. The Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act (S.771/H.R. 1363) is a positive step in providing a healthful school environment for students. The bipartisan legislation calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to update the nutrition standards for foods sold in school cafeterias alongside federally reimbursed school meals and would apply those standards to foods sold on school grounds throughout the day. Federal regulations governing the school lunch and breakfast program should be updated for the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Get involved — Ask your Member of Congress to cosponsor S. 771 or H.R. 1363.

WIC — ADA supports enhancing the nutritional content of the WIC food package, to meet changing needs and help participants consume diets consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Maintaining Local School Wellness Policies

The local school wellness policies required as part of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 provide a unique opportunity to improve the school environment through both nutrition offerings and education. The law specifically requires that the wellness policies must:

  • Include goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness a manner that the local educational agency determines appropriate;
  • Include nutrition guidelines for all foods available on the school campus during the school day.
  • Provide an assurance that guidelines for school meals are not less restrictive than those set by the secretary.
  • Establish a plan for measuring implementation of the local wellness policy
  • Involve parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, the school board, school administrators, and the public in development of the local wellness policy.

ADA remains committed to the development and implementation of local school wellness policies and believes creating an instrument so that communities can measure the effectiveness of their newly implemented school wellness initiatives is sorely needed.

Get involved — Policies are written and implemented at the school districtRaising visibility of ADA members’ knowledge, skills and talents in their communities

Raising visibility of ADA members’ knowledge, skills and talents in their communities

School nutrition personnel are integral to successful implementation of nutrition standards and should be appropriately certified and possess principles and knowledge in food, nutrition and food safety. It is not easy to balance student satisfaction with nutritional needs – and to do so cost-effectively. Extending nutrition standards to all foods and beverages sold in schools will only increase the need for trained professionals in schools.

Resources