Watered Down Rules For National School Lunch Program Blamed On Food Industry Lobbyists

Dec. 12, 2011
Revised rules for the National School Lunch Program — a requirement of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 — are expected to be a shadow of the Obama administration’s original intent after The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposal was effectively blocked by Congress last month through an appropriations bill, which some argue this was the work of lobbyists employed by food producers.

Revised rules for the National School Lunch Program — a requirement of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 — are expected to be a shadow of the Obama administration’s original intent after The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposal was effectively blocked by Congress last month through an appropriations bill, which some argue this was the work of lobbyists employed by food producers, according to Harvest Public Media, multimedia resource devoted to food, fuel and field. For the full story, click here.

Editor’s Insight: The food industry should be leading, not undermining, efforts to improve school nutrition. The food industry has been supportive of improved nutrition education through numerous initiatives. But supporting education is not enough: the food industry must be 100 percent supportive of improved school nutrition programs. 12-13 11 By Elliot Maras