New legislation could mean healthier school lunches

Legislation recently approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee has supporters touting the possibility of healthier meal options for students.

In Iowa, a similar law is already in place.

The state's Healthy Kids Act establishes physical activity requirements for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and nutritional content standards for food and beverages sold on or provided on school grounds during the school day.

It was signed into law in May 2008.

“Back in 2004, when schools were required to have a wellness policy, the general thought was that it would lead to better food choices in the fight against childhood obesity,” said Jennifer Neal, Healthy Kids Act co-project director.

While some strides have been made - for example, schools promote healthy snacks for classroom celebrations over cookies and candy - childhood obesity continues to be an epidemic.

Districts had to implement the physical activity component of the law - 30 minutes of physical activity for kindergarten through fifth grade students; 120 minutes of physical activity per week for sixth through 12th grade students - this school year.

The nutrition content standards will be in effect for the 2010-11 school year. They were delayed initially so districts could work with vendors.

“It's going to be interesting,” said Julie Hauser, director of nutritional services for the College Community school district. Hauser also is president of the School Nutrition Association of Iowa.

Hauser said Iowa is ahead of the federal government when it comes to school nutrition. While the initial step to improve food options for all students was taken at the federal level, it's several steps away from the House floor.

Even if the reauthorization of the School Nutrition Act moves quickly, the new standards won't be in place until the 2011-12 school year - at the earliest.

“There are so many committees it needs to go through,” Hauser said. “It's a slow process.”

The legislation would allow the Agriculture Department to create new standards for all foods in schools - something Iowa schools are already doing. The new standards don't eliminate all foods from the cafeteria, but make them healthier. For example, hamburgers could be made with leaner meat and served on a wheat bun while vending machines could be stocked with less candy and fewer high-calorie sodas.

Under the Healthy Kids Act, Iowa schools cannot serve pop or flavored sports drinks during the school day as vending machine, a la carte, or regulated fundraising items.

“Schools aren't the only players in child obesity, but it is an area we can tackle,” Neal said. “We don't know what food choices students have at home.”

Iowa is one of more than 20 states with a set of school nutritional beyond federal guidelines.