Now that the school year has started, everyone is abuzz about the healthier meals being served at schools all over the country. As a result of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, starting this fall, school meals are featuring more whole grains, both fruits and vegetables at every meal, and less sodium and trans fat. Portion sizes are adjusted for age, among other improvements.
As a result, you may have questions like:
What kinds of new foods will my child’s school offer?
What prompted the changes?
What can I do to help my child eat healthier at home?
USDA is reaching out to help parents, teachers, school administrators, school food services workers and others gain a better understanding of the changes being made and how they benefit students.
To answer your questions, we’ll be hosting a live Twitter chat on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 1:00 pm EST. Ask our Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Dr. Janey Thornton, about our school meals programs and our work to make the school day healthier. Dr. Thornton played a key role in bringing these changes to fruition and this is a great opportunity to touch base with a national leader in school meal services.
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 programs that form our nation’s nutrition safety net. School meals help prevent child hunger and introduce kids to healthy habits that last a lifetime. You can send your questions on school meals in advance to the @USDA Twitter account using hashtags #SchoolFoodsRule and #AskUSDA.
Please join us! In the meantime, please visit our Healthier School Day website www.usda.gov/healthierschoolday.