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Release No. FNS 0003.07

Contact:  Jean Daniel (703) 305-2281

School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Released

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 2007 -- U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Nancy M. Johner today released the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment III (SNDA-III), a national study that found slight improvements in the quality of meals served in the National School Lunch Program – including a notable increase in the percentage of schools meeting standards for saturated fat.

“USDA is committed to working with school food service professionals and the Department’s long-standing partners to promote better nutrition and health for our Nation’s children,” said Johner. “We are encouraged by the improvements shown, but this new study indicates that major changes in school meals will be needed to meet the recommendations in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”

The study found that although most schools offered an opportunity for students to select a balanced meal, few students made the healthful choice and selected a low-fat meal. In about 90 percent of all schools nationwide, a motivated student had opportunities to select low-fat lunch options, but in only about 20 percent of all schools did the average lunch actually selected by students meet the standards for fat. More than 70 percent of schools served meals that met standards for many nutrients that contribute to healthy diets, including protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. In fact, National School Lunch Program participants consumed more of six key nutrients at lunch than non-participants.

By law, all national school meals must comply with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To reach this challenging but crucial goal, USDA is working with schools to reduce saturated fat and sodium and increase fiber, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low fat milk in school meals. These improvements will address findings that only six to seven percent of schools meet all nutrition standards.

FNS collected data for the study from a nationally representative sample of districts, schools, and students during school year (SY) 2004-2005. For more information on the study visit, www.fns.usda.gov.


Last modified: 03/27/2008