May 11, 2023 – The Academy continues to advocate for healthful school meals that align with the 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In addition, the Academy supports policies and legislation to advance improvements in school meals in ways that are realistic.
In regulatory comments submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, the Academy highlighted the unique skillset and expertise of its members who work every day to serve healthful school meals to students while grappling with continuing challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as inflation and labor and supply chain shortages.
The Academy’s recommendations submitted in response to the proposed rule for a revision of meal patterns in federal child nutrition programs to ensure alignment with the Dietary Guidelines included the need for: adequate funding; training and technical assistance provided for staff preparing and serving school meals; adequate labor and kitchen equipment; and nutrition education for students and their families.
Recommendations on whole grains, sodium and added sugar reduction, prioritizing local food and producers, offering plant-based options, and more were also included in the Academy's submission.
To read the Academy’s full comments, click here.
Academy members interested in adding their support to nutrition security policy and advocacy efforts are encouraged to join the Nutrition Security Affinity Group. Learn more and register here.
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