School Lunches Must Meet New Nutritional Standards
Some Schools Already Offer Whole Grains, Fresh Fruit
Even when pizza is on the menu, school lunches are going to be healthier.
The first major nutritional overhaul of school meals in more than 15 years will mean that most of them will have less sodium, more whole grains, and a wider selection of fruits and vegetables on the side.
First lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the new guidelines during a visit with elementary school students Wednesday in Alexandria, Va. They were joined by celebrity chef Rachael Ray.
Under the rules, pizza won't disappear from lunch lines, but it will be made with healthier ingredients. Entire meals will have calorie caps for the first time, and most trans fats will be banned.
Some area schools already meet or exceed those standards, parents said.
"As it is right now, I like it," said Paula Valente, who works in the Madeira Middle School cafeteria where her daughter eats. "I like that we offer whole grains. I like that we have fresh fruit."
Sodium will gradually decrease over a 10-year period under the new rules, and milk will have to be low in fat, while flavored milks must be nonfat.
"Are these going to be reasonable new standards for schools in general? Yes, I think they are standards that everyone should be following at home and at school," said Gerry Levy, food services director at Milford Schools.
The rules aren't as aggressive as the administration had hoped. Congress last year blocked the Agriculture Department from making some of the desired changes, including limiting french fries and pizza.
Conservatives in Congress said the government shouldn't tell children what to eat. School districts also objected to some of the requirements, saying they would cost too much.