Right now, more than ever, people are recognizing the important role school meals play in the lives of our children. With schools across the country closed in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), one of the first concerns I heard from colleagues, fellow advocates and on our Twitter feed was “how do we get healthy meals to kids when schools are closed?”
It’s a great question, and one I’m glad to hear asked during such a challenging time. After all, school meals are essential to keeping millions of kids fed, particularly those who rely on these meals every day as their primary—or even sole—nutrition source.
Congress responded, including several provisions in both stimulus bills to make getting meals to children easier during these trying times. In addition, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue reacted, stating USDA would take steps to give states more flexibility to provide school meals during coronavirus-related closures.
We’re seeing, now more than ever, just how important school meals are for the health and well-being of our kids. USDA should reconsider this rule that would weaken school nutrition standards.
American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown commended the secretary for his action to ensure all children who need the meals they would normally get at school will still get them even during closures.
“Unexpected school closures threaten to jeopardize the nutritional needs of millions of children nationwide who receive free and reduced-price school meals each day. The steps announced today are necessary to ensure essential meals reach vulnerable children whose schools are forced to shut down because of the coronavirus,” Brown wrote in a statement.
We at Voices for Healthy Kids also appreciate this stopgap measure to make sure that children are fed during this pandemic.
But once things return to normal, students’ plates could look a lot different due to a separate USDA proposal that would weaken the evidence-based school meal nutrition standards implemented in 2012.
These proposed changes could put
children’s health at risk by allowing schools to serve fewer fruits and a
smaller variety of vegetables, and more foods higher in saturated fat, sodium
and calories like pizza or burgers.
We’re seeing, now more than ever, just how important school meals are for the health and well-being of our kids. USDA should reconsider this rule that would weaken school nutrition standards.
We know there is so much going on our world today, but we need your help. Please use this quick form to join me in urging USDA to maintain and strengthen the 2012 standards.
The Department is accepting public comments on its proposal until April 22.