Adopting School Nutrition Standards

1. Adopting School Nutrition Standards Lynn Hoggard, MS, RD, LDN, FADA Section Chief, Child Nutrition Services NC Department of Public Instruction

2. NC’s blueprint for an optimal nutrition environment during the academic day

3. The result of Investigations, Recommendations and Collaborations

4. How did North Carolina’s School Nutrition Environment get to this point?

5. School Nutrition developed from a need for Homeland Security General Lewis B. Hershey, Director of the Selective Service, testified before Congress in 1945 “The nation has sustained 155,000 casualties in the war because of the malnutrition in its young men, and these were the healthier men as fully one-third were rejected and could not even enter the armed services because of malnutrition.”

6. Child Nutrition Programs “strengthen the nation” President Harry S. Truman signs the National School Lunch Act into law on June 4, 1946 “Today as I sign the National School Lunch Act, I feel that Congress has acted with great wisdom in providing the basis for strengthening the nation through better nutrition for our school children…I hope that all state and local authorities will cooperate fully…in establishing the cooperative school lunch in every possible community.”

7. Child Nutrition ProgramsHistorical Perspective – 1950s • Program thrives through a one-to-one match with state funds; this is the “right thing” to do for children and for the country • Educators/administrators viewed CN program as part of total education program • Nutrition education was a component of state curricula • Food was simple; funds for food preparation equipment were available • “Hungry children can’t learn.”

8. Child Nutrition ProgramsHistorical Perspective – 1960s • Program continues to thrive under Kennedy Administration – “right thing to do for children” • Funding increased to states based on number of meals served; additional funds made available to “needy” schools • Child Nutrition Act of 1966 passed – extended, expanded and strengthened program

9. Child Nutrition ProgramsHistorical Perspective – 1970s • Program continues to thrive – “right thing to do for children” • 19 provisions in the law to expand and enhance the program • Program perceived as “Sacred Cow” • Congress requires consistent accounting • Program moves from educational program to welfare program

10. Child Nutrition ProgramsHistorical Perspective – 1980s • “Sacred Cow” is slaughtered; program is devastated by $1.8 billion federal budget cut • Federal budget cuts proposed annually; shift responsibility to states and charities • States struggle to keep program operational • Schools begin to sell supplemental items • A la carte service begins; offers relief from budget cuts • 1987 – federal program funds restored…

11. Child Nutrition ProgramsHistorical Perspective – 1990s • A la carte program is thriving; schools are making money • Stigma associated with the “traditional meal” • Children develop appetite for a la carte foods • Schools develop appetite for revenues from a la carte foods • State and local funding support allocated elsewhere • Indirect costs assessed to CN program

12. Child Nutrition ProgramsCurrent Practice – 2000s • “Sacred Cow” has now become the “Cash Cow” • CN Program is dependant upon a la carte sales for 15% – 45% operating budget • CN Program generates $28 million in revenues to local school districts • Foods sold in competition with Child Nutrition Program are often of limited nutritional value and compromise nutrition integrity • CN Programs expected to operate as revenue producing businesses

13. Child Nutrition ProgramsCurrent Practice Over the past 30 years, there has been a shift In priorities surrounding the Child Nutrition Program. “It’s the right thing to do for children” has been replaced with “How much revenue can be generated?” A debate about priorities is needed in our state.

14. NC’s Epidemic of Childhood Overweight • 1 in 5 children overweight • 1 in 4 teens overweight • Children are overfed but undernourished • School meals are not the cause of epidemic • Child Nutrition Programs can be part of the solution

15. NC’s Child Nutrition Statistics • Over 203 million meals served annually • Approximately 48% qualify for free or reduced price meals • Relationship between income (eligibility) and weight is emerging • 1 in 4 children experience food insecurity monthly

16. Opportunities for Change in NC’s Child Nutrition Programs • Gradual change • Grade specific • Four achievement levels • Compliance with existing regulations required for progress • Separate requirements for meals & a la carte

17. Opportunities for Change in NC’s Child Nutrition Programs • CN Task Force Formed • Assess current • practices • Form action strategies • Build on “Winner’s • Circle Successes • Educate community • Involve industry • partners

18. Money Administrative support Nutrition not valued as part of the instructional day Limited time/space for school meals Student taste preferences Too little nutrition education to influence children’s eating habits Conflicting messages Barriers to Optimal Nutrition Environment

19. Opportunities for Change in NC’s Child Nutrition Programs “Healthful School Food Choices Pilot Program” (July, 20, 2004) Legislation provides for “no risk” pilots in eight NC school districts, grades K – 5, for the 2004 – 2005 school year

20. Nutritional well-being of children must become a priority. Adequate funds must be available. State and local policies must be developed to support optimal nutrition. Everyone in the school environment must be involved in bringing about change. An optimal school nutrition environment is possible in North Carolina

21. Adopting School Nutrition Standards will take time, effort, money, adequate staff, community, parental and student involvement, and support from all school personnel.

22. Today’s Child Nutrition Programs General Statute 115C - 264 • Local school board approval • May sell soft drinks as long as they are not sold 1. during the lunch period 2. at elementary schools 3. contrary to NSLP

23. Today’s Child Nutrition Programs Competitive Foods Rule The sale or serving of any food or beverage in competition with the school breakfast or lunch program shall be prohibited on the school campus during the school day until the last child is served lunch for the day.