US Governments School Food Policy Changes

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I am an RN-BSN student and my current class is Health care policy. We need to choose a topic and/or person to follow regarding a policy. I have read 2 articles this week that schools are not happy about the food program and that one district in Chicago is dumping altogether and losing almost $1 million in fed subsidies to feed free and reduced lunch children. Anyone know where I can find this food policy the is being implemented, I believe July of next year?

Not sure if this belongs in the "Students" or "school Nurses" sections. New to this whole policy stuff, with the political climate what it is, health care policy seems so politicized that I do not know where to get unbiased information.

TIA

hope3456, ASN, RN

1,263 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

Isn't it up to individual districts to develop their own policies based upon federal guidelines in order to receive funding for the free/reduced lunches? Not the expert - however whenever I go to eat lunch with my second grader I find it disturbing to see kids simply eat the main portion and throw the rest (fruits and veggies) in the garbage.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

My understanding of this new program is that it is stricter in its "healthiness" My kids' school gets food from the lowest bidder. It's crap-everything is fried or pizza related. I used to be a teacher in my kids' district and the food was good, they have since changed vendors and it is not good at all. Both of mine take their own lunch to school. The youngest is a Type 1 and lunches are over 100 g of carbs. His target is no more than 50g/meal.

I have a lot of research to do!

heron, ASN, RN

4,137 Posts

Specializes in Hospice.

So what does Michelle Obama got to do with it?

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

It is her initiative through the White House. It was effective July of this year and it is supposed to mandate that all public schools offer healthier foods. www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/ and The White House and USDA announce School Wellness Standards | The White House

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herring_RN, ASN, BSN

3,651 Posts

Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

The first lady did not create a policy. She encourages healthy eating, especially for children, and supports the initiative including the "Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program".

I wish you well on your assignment. I hope you find a person to follow regarding the program: Program History | Food and Nutrition Service

Unfortunately it seems it is not the practice at your childrens school.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
Unfortunately it seems it is not the practice at your childrens school.
understatement of the year. I am really interested in how much money they get and how much is spent and whether the school/district is profiting from this or at the very least diverting funds. I know they are not providing special education services they are required to do because of money and that they try to get creative with fitting in a child's IEP minutes. It is certainly not going to the teachers! NC is at the bottom of the pay scale for teachers. It's awful.
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NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN

10 Articles; 18,306 Posts

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
The first lady did not create a policy. She encourages healthy eating, especially for children, and supports the initiative including the "Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program".

I wish you well on your assignment. I hope you find a person to follow regarding the program: Program History | Food and Nutrition Service

Changed title of thread to US Governments School Food Policy Changes to be more accurate.

:)

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