We are disappointed that the United States Department of Agriculture has proposed a new rule that, if enacted, would roll back school nutrition standards established in 2012. The proposed rule would allow schools to serve fewer fruits and whole grains, reduce the variety of vegetables and offer less healthy entrees. The USDA’s own research has shown that the 2012 nutrition standards improved student diets and increased student participation in school meals. Common sense tells us that healthy children do better in school. After all, kids are no different from the rest of us. Have you ever been “hangry” or struggled to think clearly at work when sick? This common sense wisdom is backed up by a growing body of evidence. For example, researchers have found that healthier school meals are a cost effective way to improve student performance and reduce childhood obesity.
According to the Food Research Action Center, the proposed new rule would:
The proposed rule is still under consideration. The USDA must complete a public comment period, which has been extended to April 22, 2020. USDA officials then have 90 days to review and respond to each comment that was submitted. After that, the USDA may choose to withdraw, revise or enact the new rule. What you can do Any member of the public may submit a comment as an individual or on behalf of an organization. It’s as simple as writing a letter and submitting it online by April 22, 2020. We’ve made it easy to write and submit a public comment, and to share information with your network. Use this sample letter and school meals brief to get started. To write a persuasive and effective public comment, follow these tips:
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