News
Trump administration pushes healthier school meals, stronger farm connections
The Trump administration is updating its guidelines for federal school meal programs to incorporate food raised by U.S. farmers and ranchers.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the goal of the initiative is to serve healthier, nutrient dense meals to children. “The rule, among other things, will promote whole food breakfast options. It will promote healthy cooking methods in our school cafeterias. It will make sure it has 100 percent whole grains and whole milk back in schools.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the changes align with the administration’s new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. “Our plan is to significantly reduce added sugars. Move children from refined grains towards whole grains. Put high quality protein back in the center of the plate. Reduce reliance on highly processed foods.”
The USDA says Harvest to Hallways also includes $70 million for investments in school cafeteria infrastructure, expand schools’ use of local food procurement options to reach ag producers and up to $25 million for Farm to school Grants.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the changes are a no-brainer. “This is about feeding our kids and helping our farmers.”
Jim Pillen, governor of Nebraska, says this could be transformational. “I believe that this is one of the most incredible opportunities to make a difference for generations to come.”
For more information visit www.usda.gov/harvest-to-hallways.
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Yes and the high Na level of a lot of the food served in these facilities is in direct opposition of blood pressure medications as well as high sugar content of meals and some oral nutrition supplements for diabetics on insulin regimens. There are a lot of phosphates in processed foods that are making AKI and CKD patients worse as well as making clinical management of ESRD patients more difficult. *Is a big project, but would be great to have a task force of nutrition professionals and food service professionals making recommendations and a plan to improve food quality in health care institutions.
I Can Appreciate Focusing Better Food For Schools.Cafeterias, But I Wish Someone Would Also, Focus On Hospitals & Especially Nursing Homes Food Is Horrible & I Realize It’s Complicated Because The Patients Have Different Conditions! But It’s Not Only About Vetting Them Healthy Food Without Contaminates, But They Also Need Better Qualified Cooks (Nutritionists!!! There Are Also Aging Nursing Homes That Need Updated Or New Facilities!!!