June 27, 2008 -- High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) remains a hot button issue with the public, the media, and a growing number of non-profit organizations. Last week the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) released statements on the health effects of HFCS.
AMA's Council on Public Health and Science issued a report stating the health effects of HFCS intake are not well established and there is insufficient evidence to restrict HFCS or other fructose containing sweeteners in the food supply. Researchers concluded that "it appears unlikely that HFCS contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose" or other added sugars. AMA recommends "consumers limit the amount of all added caloric sweeteners to no more than 32 grams of sugar daily based on a 2,000 calorie diet in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans."
GMA released "High Fructose Corn Syrup: A Guide for Consumers, Policymakers and the Media." This policy paper was designed to provide current and scientifically accurate information and resources for journalists, health professionals and policymakers." In the policy paper, GMA science officers came to similar conclusions that HFCS does not contribute to obesity any more that any other caloric sweeteners or energy sources. They continue to support the safety of HFCS in moderation and in the context of a balanced, healthy diet.
In other news, a U.S. federal judge in New Jersey dismissed a lawsuit filed against Snapple beverages. The lawsuit claimed that use of the term "all natural" on a product containing HFCS was deceptive. Stacy Holk filed the suit against Snapple beverages on behalf of herself and other consumers stating she had received a product which was less than or different from what the promise of the claim "all natural" implies. Judge Mary Cooper ruled that is was FDA's responsibility, not the court's, to define the term natural and to define the requirements for claims included on beverage labels. The court opinion states very clearly, "This court will not determine that which the FDA, with all of its scientific expertise, has yet to determine, namely how the terms 'natural' and 'all natural' should be defined and whether either may be used on the label of a beverage containing HFCS."
In May, as part of an ongoing effort to educate members on pressing topics in school nutrition, SNA hosted a web-based seminar ("webinar") on HFCS titled, "High-fructose Corn Syrup and School Wellness: Science-Based Facts for Healthful School Nutrition Operations." This webinar aims to clarify the issues surrounding HFCS by presenting the consumer, nutrition, and food science perspectives and the most up to date research on the topic. The webinar also provides messaging opportunities and strategies for communicating scientifically accurate information to policymakers, parents, and other school stakeholders.
See related links for links to both reports, additional information on the ruling and to view SNA's archived webinar "High-fructose Corn Syrup and School Wellness: Science-Based Facts for Healthful School Nutrition Operations"
June 26, 2008 -- The School Nutrition Association (SNA) continues to consider the safety of school food as a top priority. This is evident from both the amount and quality of staff training that school districts provide their staff, as well as the school food safety record according to outbreak and incident data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
School nutrition professionals rely on US Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors and procedures to ensure that the food provided to school nutrition programs through the USDA Food Distribution Program (Commodity Program) is safe and that animals raised for such food are treated in a humane and ethical manner. Since 2000 there has been a ban on the purchase by the USDA Food Distribution Division of beef from non-ambulatory ("downer") cows for use in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP.) About 15 to 18 percent of food served through the NSLP comes from the Commodity Program.
Food products purchased by school nutrition professionals must be produced in compliance with appropriate federal and state food-safety laws and regulations. All vendors providing products for child nutrition programs are required to have satisfactory performance records. Any possible breach of safety and security by individuals' or companies' indicates the continued need for absolute diligence on all testing and inspections.
In response to a video released on June 25, 2008, depicting the mistreatment of "downer" cows at a cattle auction in New Mexico, USDA Secretary Ed Schafer stated:
Although this is an unfortunate situation and we deplore this type of behavior, it is evident that these cattle were too weak to rise and walk on their own, and would not have been accepted upon delivery to a slaughterhouse. Furthermore, they would not have passed ante-mortem inspection by the highly trained USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection program personnel. Simply put, the condition of these cattle would prohibit them from even entering the first phase of a multi-phased process of approving cattle for slaughter.
SNA maintains that even one student's illness caused by eating a school meal is too many, which is why school nutrition professionals nationwide have worked hard over the past three years to implement HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) a comprehensive approach to food safety that follows the flow of food through a foodservice operation to eliminate or reduce the risk of foodborne hazards. Among these procedures are examinations of foods as they are received by the kitchen as well as use of proper cooking and holding temperatures to ensure food is safe. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) data on school-based foodborne illness outbreaks indicate school nutrition programs across the country maintain exceptional food safety records.
June 25, 2008 -- What has been happening at the national and state level lately and what can you expect for the summer months ahead? Read your regional newsletter to hear a personal account of the past few months and what you can expect as you start the summer months. Highlights in these letters include recounts of national and state meetings, state and regional award winners, updates on membership and certification in your region and important deadline reminders.
Click on the links below to read your region's newsletter.
June 20, 2008 -- Is there a link between fruit juice consumption and overweight in children? Apparently not, says a new research review out of the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Researchers at Louisiana State University and Baylor College of Medicine recently released a research review that states, based on currently available scientific evidence, there is no correlation between consumption of 100% fruit juice and increased weight in children and adolescents. Additionally, the average consumption of 100% fruit juice by children and adolescents was found to be well within the current recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Researchers reviewed 21 studies that examined the link between fruit juice consumption and overweight. Only six of the 21 studies found any link between fruit juice consumption and overweight. According to the researchers, each of the six studies contained significant design flaws. None of the six studies who found a positive relationship used nationally representative sample populations.
In the concluding recommendations, the researchers state that it is critical for parents to understand the importance of selecting 100% fruit juice as a beverage over other fruit drinks and juice beverages. The data supports moderate consumption of 100% juice as it may help children meet the current dietary guideline recommendations for fruit intake. Health professionals were encouraged to promote and educate on the consumption of all health beverages including water, low fat milk and 100% fruit juice.
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine Review
June 19, 2008 -- On June 10th and 11th, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) conducted the first open public session of the ad hoc expert committee charged to review and recommend revisions for the school lunch and breakfast programs. This meeting will kick-off the committee's work to review the NSLP and SBP with the goal to develop a set of practical and economical recommendations for meal patterns and standards that reflect current nutritional science. SNA president, Mary Hill, was present along side the 3 other SNA members on the committee. USDA officials introduced the committee's statement of work and provided an in depth review of the NSLP and SBP. Throughout the meeting, USDA officials stressed the importance for "attainable, feasible recommendations, which will not jeopardize participation in the programs". A Phase I report is expected to be issued for comment around January 2009. The report will identify proposed criteria and the process for selecting food groups, nutrient targets and minimum standards for each week's menus. The Committee will hold the next open public workshop on July 9, 2008 in Washington, DC. The workshop will be designed to gather information and perspectives on the needed revisions to these school meal programs. The workshop is scheduled for 1:00-6:00 pm and will be held in the Lecture Room of the National Academy of Sciences Building (2100 C Street NW, Washington, D.C.). If you would like to attend the meeting you must register online. You may also submit comments via email to fnbschoolmeals@nas.edu. See related links for a link to the project website for registration and an email link to submit comments.
See Related Links for a Link to the IOM project website.
June 17, 2008 -- Former Senators Robert Dole (R-Kan.) and George McGovern (D-S.D.) were named the recipients of the 2008 World Food Prize during a ceremony on June 13, 2008 at the U.S. Department of State. The two senators were recognized for their collaborative leadership and efforts in encouraging international school feeding programs. The World Food Prize will be presented formally during a ceremony at the Iowa state capitol on October 16, 2008.
In the late 1990's, Dole and McGovern worked with then-President Bill Clinton to develop a pilot program providing children in developing nations with school meals. In 2002, following a two year pilot program, President George W. Bush signed into law the George McGovern - Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.
Today, the program provides meals to more than 22 million children in 21 countries. The McGovern-Dole Program has helped increase school attendance rates by approximately 14 percent overall, while boosting girls' attendance by 17 percent. The program also has a strong impact on education. In areas that have school feeding programs in place, students have better cognition and academic performance. School feeding programs also encourage the education of girls, who are typically kept out of school to work at home.
The success of the McGovern-Dole Program has lead to increased support internationally. The United Nations now considers school feeding programs as vital to the advancement of developing nations and one of the key recommendations for meeting the Millennium Project goals in 2015. The Program coincides with the efforts of the Global Child Nutrition Forum which seeks to develop the infrastructure necessary to sustain school feeding programs worldwide.
Senators Dole and McGovern were previously recognized with the Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award, given by the Global Child Nutrition Foundation, for their efforts with global school feeding initiatives.
June 16, 2008 -- Long time SNA member Carmella Schmidt passed away this weekend after a courageous battle with cancer. Carmella was the Director of School Nutrition for both the Random Lake and Plymouth school districts in Wisconsin. She was an active member on both the state and national levels. Carmella served as the Wisconsin State President from 2003-2004, as well as holding numerous appointments on many other Wisconsin SNA committees. From 2004-2006, she served as a chair of the School Nutrition Foundation's Silent Auction Committee. Most recently, Carmella was the Midwest Representative to the national SNA Nominating Committee.
Carmella leaves behind a devoted husband, two children, and many friends. The entire SNA community expresses its deepest sympathy to the Schmidt family during this difficult time.
June 16, 2008 -- The first of seven Child Nutrition Reauthorization listening session hosted by USDA was held last Tuesday in Boston, Massachusetts. SNA Public Policy and Legislative Committee northeast representative Cindy Brooks filed the following report from the listening session:
The temperature in Boston was a "balmy" 102 degrees outside as inside the Tip O'Neil Federal Building approximately 135-140 people from a variety of groups provided input for the upcoming child nutrition reauthorization process. There was a solid turnout from the School Nutrition Associations of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire who spoke on several key issues. Topics addressed included the need for adequate school meal funding, increasing meal reimbursement rates, eliminating the reduced price category, adopting federal nutrition standards, addressing indirect cost charges, re-examining the need for social security numbers on meal applications, funding for foodservice equipment, reconsidering the current calorie levels in the meal pattern requirements, expanding summer feeding, simplifying the meal application process, expanding farm to school programs, implementing universal breakfast programs, providing funding for nutrition education and training and funding for locally grown produce.
The next listening session will be held on July 15, 2008 in Austin, Texas. If you are unable to attend one of the listening sessions, you can still make your voice heard. Submit written comments before October 15, 2008 to the USDA. Also, please be sure to send a copy of your comments to SNA at servicecenter@schoolnutrition.org. SNA has posted a PowerPoint presentation detailing the Association's reauthorization priorities. Please visit the 2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization page for more details, as well as copies of the remarks presented by SNA leaders during the listening sessions. For additional information, please visit the USDA CN Reauthorization Listening Session page.
June 13, 2008 -- The School Nutrition Association has announced the keynote speakers for the Sunday and Wednesday General Sessions at the 62nd Annual National Conference (ANC) in Philadelphia, July 20-23, 2008. Attendees will hear from good-works advocate Fred Grandy and "green" enthusiast Colin Beavan.
Fred Grandy has lived a life most people can only fantasize about. For years, Grandy was known as "Gopher" by fans of the 1970s hit series "The Love Boat," which not only obliged him to visit the world's most stunning ports of call, but actually paid him to do it! Yet at the height of his television success, he abandoned Hollywood, returned to his native Iowa and launched a campaign for Congress. He won and spent 8 years serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, which established him as one of the most respected Members of Congress on both sides of the political aisle. Drawing on his days as CEO of Goodwill Industries, Grandy delivers a poignant, funny and pertinent message about the importance of giving back and community involvement.
Don't we all want a healthier planet and a cleaner environment, but we often don't know how to help and where to start? Author Colin Beavan, a.k.a. "No Impact Man," will discuss the triumphs and difficulties, as well as the satisfaction he and his family are experiencing during his No Impact project. His simple goal is to personally reduce his ecological footprint on planet Earth, while maintaining a Manhattan address.
As a special bonus, the Monday General Session audience also will hear from U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Nancy Montanez Johner. As Under Secretary, she is responsible for the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
Grandy, Beavan and Johner join Dr. Steve Sobel and Robin Roberts, featured speakers for the conference General Sessions. For more information about ANC speakers and events, please see the Related Links
June 12, 2008 -- The Food and Drug Administration expanded its warning to consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to consumption of certain raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes, and products containing these raw, red tomatoes.
The FDA has advised that cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, or tomatoes grown at home, are not subject to their warning.
School nutrition professionals have pulled raw red Roma, raw red plum, raw red round tomatoes, or products that contain these types of raw red tomatoes from school lunch menus as a precautionary measure, as have many commercial and non-commercial foodservice establishments. FDA recommends that retailers, restaurateurs, and foodservice operators not offer for sale and service raw red Roma, raw red plum, and raw red round tomatoes unless they are from a cleared source.
Using traceback and other distribution pattern information, FDA published a list of states, territories, and countries where tomatoes are grown and harvested which have not been associated with this outbreak. This updated list includes: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands, and Puerto Rico. The list is available at: www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#retailers. This list will be updated as more information becomes available.
Since mid April, there have been 145 reported cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul nationwide, including at least 23 hospitalizations. None of the cases have been traced to schools. States reporting illnesses linked to the outbreak include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Salmonella Saintpaul is an uncommon type of Salmonella.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections particularly in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses. Consumers who have recently eaten raw tomatoes or foods containing raw tomatoes and are experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their health care provider. All Salmonella infections should be reported to state or local health authorities.
FDA recognizes that the source of the contaminated tomatoes may be limited to a single grower or packer or tomatoes from a specific geographic area. FDA also recognizes that there are many tomato crops across the country and in foreign countries that will be ready for harvest or will become ready in the coming months. In order to ensure that consumers can continue to enjoy tomatoes that are safe to eat, FDA is working diligently with the states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indian Health Service, and various food industry trade associations to quickly determine the source of the tomatoes associated with the outbreak.
FDA is taking these actions while the agency continues to investigate this outbreak with state and federal partners. Such actions are a key component of FDA's Food Protection Plan, a scientific and risk-based approach to strengthen and protect the nation's food supply.
FDA will continue to issue updates as more specific information becomes available.
June 12, 2008 -- While it may seem the days of summertime recreation barely have begun, a new school year will commence in only a few short months. But summer's conclusion doesn't mean the fun must end along with it! Make the transition from summer to school a little easier for your student customers by planning a cafeteria celebration for the back-to-school season-and keep the momentum going all year long!
Using the online Promotional Calendar, a free member service produced by the editorial staff of School Nutrition, you will discover countless ideas to liven up the spirits of students, while simultaneously promoting cafeteria meals and healthy eating habits. This year's Promotional Calendar contains monthly, weekly and daily celebrations for the school year beginning August 2008. Also, next to some of the event names, you might see one of several links:
To find your next cafeteria promotion, click on Tools You Can Use, select Promotional Calendar and then type in your username and password.
June 11, 2008 -- "Go play" has a whole new meaning in America today. Thanks to public concern over childhood obesity, the opportunities for kids to be physically active are rising. Learn how school-based phys ed programs are recovering from cutbacks in "Is PE Working Out?"
Next, "Mad Hot Sports for Kids" offers an overview of some unusual new activities that are generating buzz right now, from grass skiing to muggle quidditch. In fact, some new sports may be drawing kids away from school teams. "Leagues of Their Own" provides an in-depth look at the trend of independent clubs and leagues that are changing the face of youth sports in America.
With all these new opportunities, why are some kids still stuck on the bench-or on the couch? "Raising Their Game" sheds light on the influence of family regarding kids' involvement in sports. When families commit to fitness together, it can be a winning combination.
But for a few, it can be a fight to find the right fitness fit. Whether the challenge is lack of safe play spaces in the inner city or physical disabilities, "Good Sports" details the obstacles-and the successes.
Kids can find great role models of physical activity among America's presidents. "Very Presidential" explores our leaders' favorite sports, from Abraham Lincoln's wrestling matches to Franklin Roosevelt's dedication to swimming. You might pass on these fun facts to your students during the exciting finale of SNA's "Vote for School Lunch" campaign this fall. Each "candidate" will be endorsing a different sport or physical activity!
As a bonus, this issue of School Nutrition magazine also features an exclusive preview of SNA's Annual National Conference, the school nutrition event of the year. "The Adventure Begins" takes you to the streets of Philadelphia to discover national treasures and to prepare for ANC, taking place July 20-23, 2008.
June 9, 2008 -- USDA has released two new Fact Sheets for Healthier School Meals, "Serve More Whole Grains" and "Trim Trans Fats". The newest additions to the series of technical assistance will guide schools to further implement the 2005 DGAs by increasing whole grains and reducing trans fat.
Each fact sheet includes easy to follow, fun facts and ideas with the following sections:
Here is a preview of what you will find in each fact sheet:
"Serve More Whole Grains" Recognizing Whole Grains Is Easy! Read the ingredient statement for the products you purchase. Manufacturers must list ingredients in descending order by weight. Look for products that list whole grains first. If your students aren't used to eating whole grains, start with products that list whole grains further down the list and make a plan to gradually offer more whole grains throughout the school year.
"Trim Trans Fats" Did You Know? Processed foods and oils provide about 80 percent of trans fat in the diet, compared to about 20 percent that occur naturally in food from animal sources. These categories of processed foods contribute to the 80 percent:
SNA will keep you up to date as USDA releases more in the series, Fact Sheets for Healthier School Meals. For the full Fact Sheets see Related Links.
June 6, 2008 -- A report in the June issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that childhood obesity rates did not rise for the first time in about two decades. The study estimated the prevalence of three measures of high body mass index (BMI) for age and examined recent trends for US children and adolescents using national data.
No statistically significant differences in the prevalence of high BMI for age were found between estimates for 2003-2004 and 2005-2006, therefore data for the 4 years were combined to provide more stable estimates for the most recent time period. Overall, in 2003-2006, 11.3% of children and adolescents aged 2 through 19 years were at or above the 97th percentile of the 2000 BMI-for-age growth charts, 16.3% were at or above the 95th percentile, and 31.9% were at or above the 85th percentile. Prevalence estimates varied by age and by racial/ethnic group. Analyses of the trends in high BMI for age showed no statistically significant trend over the 4 time periods (1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2003-2004, and 2005-2006) for either boys or girls.
The prevalence of high BMI for age among children and adolescents did not show an increase between 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 and no significant trends up or down between 1999 and 2006. It is not clear from the data if the leveling off in childhood weight gain is permanent or if it is the result of public efforts to promote a healthy childhood weight in schools. See Related Links for an abstract of the Journal of the American Medical Association study. To promote healthy eating choices in schools, school nutrition professionals have taken a number of steps over the past eight years including:
June 5, 2008 -- On May 27, 2008, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced USDA's plan to purchase up to $2 million of lamb which will be donated to child nutrition and other domestic food assistance programs. The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases a variety of high-quality food products each year for distribution by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for the national school lunch program, the school breakfast program, the summer food service program, the food distribution program on Indian reservations, the nutrition program for the elderly, the commodity supplemental food program and the emergency food assistance program. USDA also makes emergency purchases of commodities for distribution to victims of natural disasters.
Based upon USDA's intent to buy the lamb, FNS will survey potential recipients to determine how much product will be accepted for shipping. AMS will seek the lowest overall cost by publicly inviting bids to supply the desired quantity and by awarding contracts to responsible bidders.
Government food experts work to ensure that all purchased food is healthful and nutritious. Food items are normally required to be low in fat, sugar and sodium. The commodities must meet specified grade requirements and be USDA-inspected or graded to ensure quality. AMS purchases only products of 100 percent domestic origin.
As part of the food distribution program, commonly know as the commodity program, USDA continually explores better ways to offer healthier food choices that help schools offer meals consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPyramid food guidance system. Commodities are available in a variety of convenient products that are safe, wholesome, and 100% American grown. The commodities USDA specifically purchases for its nutrition assistance programs must meet food safety standards set by federal regulatory agencies and USDA's two purchasing agencies - the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Farm Service Agency. At USDA food safety is taken very seriously and standards are set high because of the vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, participating in USDA's nutrition assistance programs.
See Related Links for more information on the USDA Commodity Program.
June 4, 2008 -- SNA is offering timely workshops on key challenges in today's school nutrition programs at the Annual National Conference 2008. All workshops will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Visit www.schoolnutrition.org/anc2008 for more information on these exciting workshops and to register today! Take advantage of the discounted rate on your full conference registration before June 6. Pre-conference session registration rates will remain the same.
This year's exciting sessions include:
Do Your Students Love Whole Grains Yet? This interactive, fun presentation will provide an overview of cutting-edge applied research and concrete tools to help school districts and industry bridge gaps in making acceptable whole-grain products available in school meal programs. Cost: $75; CEUs: 4
Carrots, Apples and Kiwi, Oh My! Learn how to use the magical power of visual merchandising to inspire healthy eating choices among your student customers. Operations of all sizes and budgets can turn around lackluster sales by combining simple visual elements that are designed to promote healthy grab 'n' go items. Cost: $75; CEUs: 4
Preserving History During this hands-on session, attendees will hear stories from a key player throughout the history of the NSLP and will learn how to collect, preserve and protect the history of their local and state's child nutrition programs. Cost: $75; CEUs: 4
The Cost of Change: Translating Research to Practice National, state and local reports, policies and legislation call for healthier choices in school nutrition programs, yet making change or even keeping pace with rising costs is challenging. Examine research about the cost of change and its influence on students' food choices. Learn successful approaches to making change while maintaining financial stability. Cost: $75; CEUs: 4
Delivering Food Safety Training to a Diverse Workforce Learn the latest teaching techniques and advanced practical application methods to train your foodservice employees on the importance of food safety and HACCP. This activity-driven workshop will use hands-on applications to drive food safety in schools. Cost: $75; CEUs: 4
Financial Management: A Course for School Foodservice Directors Learn how to apply standard procedures to support a sound financial program and how to benchmark your operations in NFSMI's comprehensive course. Course contents include analysis of financial data, communication with key stakeholders, identifying revenue and expenditures by category, and more. Cost: $125; CEUs: 8
School Nutrition: A Primer for Industry (Industry Only) This workshop provides an overview of the multi- billion-dollar school foodservice market. Arm your sales and marketing staff with the information and resources to match your company's strengths with growing opportunities. Cost: $199; CEUs: 4
June 4, 2008 -- SNA members and spokespersons were featured prominently on two nationally televised news programs over the Memorial Day weekend. On May 24, 2008, ABC World News Saturday's "School Lunch Money" segment was based on interviews with SNA president-elect Dr. Katie Wilson, PhD, SNS and past SNA president Penny McConnell, RD, SNS and was filmed primarily in Fairfax County Public Schools, Va. The news story explained the challenge of continuing to provide healthy school meals in light of the funding crunch being faced by school nutrition programs nationwide as a result of increasing food, fuel and labor costs. The story described a $13 million per school day national shortfall as a result of the average revenue and reimbursement received for each school lunch falling short of the average cost to produce a school lunch. Dr. Wilson is also the school nutrition director for Onalaska Schools, Wisconsin, while McConnell directs the school nutrition program in Fairfax, Virginia.
On Sunday, May 25, 2008, the nationally syndicated Business Week TV program also aired a five minute piece on the school nutrition funding crisis entitled "Uproar in the Lunchroom." SNA member, Madeleine Diker, SNS, school nutrition director in Cheshire, Connecticut, was featured in the story while SNA spokesperson Cindy Brooks, school nutrition director for Seymour Schools in Connecticut offered SNA's perspective on the need for adequate federal meal reimbursements to address skyrocketing food and fuel costs. While both segments emphasized that school nutrition programs are doing everything they can to not compromise the nutritional integrity of school lunches, the challenges were clearly described.
You can take action now by emailing your Senators and Member of Congress to share how rising food prices are impacting your school nutrition program. See Related Links for a direct connection to SNA's Action Alert on School Nutrition Funding. Thank you to all SNA members who have already contacted Congress, over 800 messages have been sent to members of Congress in May.
June 3, 2008 -- In a recent article, the Washington Post questioned each presidential candidate on their plans to address the childhood obesity epidemic. Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and Republican John McCain were asked a range of questions from how they would address childhood obesity as a national health priority to how much additional money they would commit to the issue.
A few highlights from the article:
Question: As president, how would you make the issue of childhood obesity a national health priority?
Clinton: "Clinton has . . . pledged to ban junk food in schools by requiring all schools that participate in the school lunch or breakfast programs to make available only foods that meet or surpass USDA nutrition standards. And she has proposed . . . to make the school breakfast program universal for all students in low-income communities and to double the summer feeding program."
Obama: "Obama would convene a high-level task force [for] regularly examining federal budgets, policies and programs . . .; identifying opportunities for coordination and collaboration across departments; and establishing consensus regarding priorities for action. Equally important, Obama will ensure the departments had the appropriate resources and authorities to implement any recommendations from the task force."
McCain: "McCain . . . believes that solving the problem of obesity in children can help prevent a lifetime of chronic health conditions. To accomplish that, we must do a better job of teaching children and their parents about child health, nutrition and exercise."
Question: What role do you think the federal government should play in tackling the issue and how much additional money would you commit to that?
Clinton: "Clinton believes that the federal government, along with other stakeholders, has an important role to play in ensuring that all Americans, including children, have access to quality health care, including preventive services. Her health care plan will require an up-front federal investment of $110 billion. . . . Clinton is also committed ….to implement a healthy schools program that will provide funding for schools that commit to replacing all unhealthy food with healthy food by 2012."
Obama: "Given the severity of the epidemic and its long-term health and financial implications, Obama believes the federal government must play an important role in addressing this issue. Obama will support efforts to expand and accelerate research on childhood obesity prevention and treatment; support nutrition and physical activity grant programs that are both school- and community-based; and support public health and advocacy group efforts at the community level."
McCain: "McCain believes the fight against obesity involves more than just the federal government mandating fitness. Parents should provide their children with healthier meals and make exercise a family activity; schools must provide children with nutrition education and should offer more opportunities for physical education; and health-care providers should use yearly checkups as an opportunity to guide their patients through diet and fitness goals. The federal government can support these efforts . . . by providing healthy food options to schools through the school nutrition program, providing adequate funding for [PEP grants] and working to ensure that prevention and maintenance are part of basic health care plans."
For more questions and responses see the Washington Post article in Related Links.
SNA continues to monitor the presidential election campaigns, as well as other issues in Washington, DC, of interest to our members. Check out SNA's Legislative Action Center for updates on Child Nutrition Reauthorization, National Nutrition Standards and more. You can also use SNA's Legislative Action Center to update your Senators and Members of Congress on what is happening in your local school or district. Take action now by clinking on Legislative Action Center in Related Links.
June 2, 2008 -- Since the 2005-2006 school year, the School Nutrition Association (SNA) has engaged in a dialogue with school nutrition directors, state agency personnel, school food industry members, USDA officials and allied organizations on the need for uniform national school nutrition standards that would address school meals and foods and beverages sold outside of school meals. A series of open town hall discussions, mega issue discussions and an open comment period on proposed standards culminating in an SNA National Nutrition Standards Summit held in January 2008 provided key input from all sections of SNA membership as well as other interested individuals. The feedback process directed the Association toward seeking a set of science-based, practical school food and beverage standards.
To further these goals, in spring 2007, SNA's Board of Directors established the SNA National School Food and Beverage Standards Task Force to develop a set of nutrition standard recommendations for both reimbursable meals and food and beverages sold or served outside of reimbursable meals. The Task Force of 10 included SNA members that are school nutrition directors and state agency directors, as well as SNA industry members and non-members who are academic experts in the nutrition field. The Task Force met on several occasions over 12 months under the leadership of SNA President-Elect Katie Wilson, PhD, SNS.
School Nutrition Association National Standards General Guiding Principles
Specific SNA guiding principles for both federal school nutrition programs and items sold or served on the school campus outside of reimbursable meals can be accessed through Related Links along with the specific standards as approved by the SNA Board of Directors.
Next Steps and Suggested Uses for SNA National Nutrition Standards The SNA recommended national nutrition standards can be utilized in several ways:
Additional Background on the Need for National Nutrition Standards
For more than ten years, SNA has held the position that nutrition standards should be applied to foods and beverages available outside of the reimbursable school meal programs (National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP.)) While nutritious meals are sold within the cafeteria as part of these programs, too often they compete with unregulated foods and beverages outside of the cafeteria. Local wellness policies and the efforts of school nutrition professionals, parents and others have made substantial progress in promoting healthful options throughout the school environment; however, the need for consistent, uniform, science-based, enforceable nutrition standards for food and beverages sold/served outside of reimbursable meals remains.
With regard to reimbursable meals, the USDA, as required by federal law, sets nutrition standards in the form of meal pattern requirements consistent with the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. State and local regulations in recent years have veered from this goal by setting additional, sometimes more stringent requirements that may not be science-based, therefore creating the need for uniform national nutrition standards for reimbursable meals. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service is currently working with the Institute on Medicine on a process to update the meal pattern requirements for the NSLP and SBP to reflect the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
May 30, 2008 -- The June issue of the American School Board Journal, published by the National School Boards Association, centers on school nutrition, with three feature articles on the management and oversight of school food operations. Among those offering their expertise and perspective in the articles are SNA President-elect Katie Wilson, PhD, SNS, as well as SNA Past President Gertrude Applebaum. The relevant articles in the issue are as follows :
See Related Links to access all three articles online.
May 30, 2008 -- The School Nutrition Association's 2008 Spring Membership Drive was a success- welcoming 1,440 new members! The membership campaign ran from March 1 to April 30, 2008.
The top recruiting states in each region are awarded with a complimentary one-year membership to the School Nutrition Association. SNA is pleased to award the following states:
Northwest Region: Oregon with 52 new members. Idaho with a 5% increase in new members.Northeast Region: New Jersey with 67 new members. Massachusetts with a 5% increase in new members.Mideast Region: Michigan with 73 new members. Delaware with a 7% increase in new members.Midwest Region: Minnesota with 85 new members. Nebraska with a 4% increase in new members.Southeast Region: Tennessee with 98 new members. Virginia with a 4% increase in new members.Southwest Region: Louisiana with 48 new members. Colorado with a 5% increase in new members.West Region: New Mexico with 34 new members. Hawaii with an 8% increase in new members.
These states will be recognized in July at the SNA's Annual National Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
For any questions regarding the Spring Membership Drive, please contact Ellen Wilson, Director of Membership and Affiliate Services, at 800-877-8822 x119 or ewilson@schoolnutrition.org.