Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act how will it effect on your child's school lunch program

School is completely back in session and some parents have been asking when I see changes in my child's school lunch program?

This is a very good question.  President Obama signed the $4.5 billion Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act at the end of last year.  Part of that new bill had language about making the school lunch program healthier.  It gave the government power to decide what kinds of foods may be sold in schools, and yes that means the vending machines, a la cart lunch items and school stores!

So what will these nutrition standards be?

The exact standards have not been released yet.  But they are expected any day now.

Here is an example of a before the bill and after the bill was passed sample meal plan:

When will the standards be implemented?

• USDA will work with states, school districts and neighborhoods to implement the provisions of the bill and Americans will start to see changes in their communities over time

• School districts  will be audited every three years to show or improve their compliance to the program
• Schools will be required to make information about the nutritional quality of their meals available to parents

• BMI to age calculator & Kids BMI to age (instead of a percentage, children receive positive messages about improving their exercise and nutrition habits)

Action Plans:

• Meal Planner: Assess child’s nutrition needs and create a customized meal based on the USDA guidelines (calorie needs and food group requirements) & Kids Meal Planner Game
• Nutrition Agreements and Goal Tracking Sheets to set specific goals

Learning tools:

• Nutrition Dictionary & Kids Nutrition Dictionary
• Learning to read Food Labels tutorial & game Kids Food Label Game
• Interactive food pyramid & Kids Interactive food pyramid
• Food Pyramid oriented games

Other features:

• Nutrition Lesson Plans
• Printable worksheets
• Family Tip sheets
• Monthly Kids Online Nutrition Newsletter
• Nutrition Games and Puzzles Interactive online computer games for classrooms