Miller Statement on New USDA Proposed Rule to Make School Meals Healthier
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Ranking Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee, today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a proposed rule to update nutrition standards for meals served in school as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The new proposed meal requirements would increase nutrition standards for the first time in 15 years. It would add more fruits and vegetables, whole grains foods and fat-free and low-fat milk to school meals, as well as limit the levels of saturated fat, sodium, calories, and trans fats in meals. Miller championed the child nutrition reauthorization in the House and was the original co-author of the House version of the legislation.
“The reality is that for many families struggling in this economy, the only chance their child has at eating a healthy meal comes in the school cafeteria. This means that our schools have an enormous responsibility to ensure the meals they serve our kids are nutritious, well-balanced and tasty enough that our kids actually want to eat them.
“When President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids, we knew this law would be transformative. We knew we were taking a huge step forward to give the children in this country a chance to live healthy, productive lives.
“The proposed rule today follows the spirit of the law by overhauling and improving the foods served to our nation’s children. These sweeping changes will make a huge difference in our schools, for our children and for the future of our country.”
For more information on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, click here.
For more information on the proposed rule, click here.
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