Democratic Lawmakers Respond to Institute of Medicine Recommendations for School Meal Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, and U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), chair of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities today issued the following statement after the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM) released its recommendations to revise the standards and requirements for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The IOM recommends increasing the variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, setting a minimum and maximum level of calories, eliminating foods with trans fats and offering only fat-free and low-fat milk.
“This report shows us the first steps we need to take to raise the overall quality of the foods in schools for the millions of families who rely on the federal child nutrition programs as a nutritional safety net for their kids. It is clear the meals children eat at school play an important role in improving overall child nutrition and promoting healthy eating habits," said Miller. "These recommendations will help guide future conversations about how to ensure states, schools and food service directors have the resources and support they need to provide the healthy, nutritious and affordable meals our students need to thrive in school and in life.”
"The IOM's report points out that today there are more overweight children in our nation than undernourished children," said McCarthy. "While there is no silver bullet to solving the obesity crisis, the recommendations in this report - such as maximum calorie levels and nutritious diet- will go a long way to support our fight against childhood obesity."
To learn more about the recent investments in child nutrition to improve access to healthy and nutritious school meals, click here.
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