These hearing transcripts provide testimony on a rule proposed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), "Nutrition Objectives for School Meals," that would require meals served under the national school lunch program to be consistent with federal dietary guidelines. The majority of the testimony addressed the content of school meals and efficacy of the proposed rule, either supporting the USDA's guidelines or calling for more local autonomy in planning meals to meet nutrition guidelines. Testimony was heard from: (1) Representatives Charles W. Stenholm, Pat Roberts, Steve Gunderson, and Dan Glickman; (2) Ellen Haas, the Assistant Secretary, Food and Consumer Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture; (3) the Wheat Foods Council; (4) the National Milk Producers Federation; (5) the American Cancer Society; (6) the Society for Nutrition Education; (7) the National Food Processors Association; (8) the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; (9) the Food Research and Action Center; (10) the American School Food Services Association; (11) the National Parent-Teacher Association; (12) Public Voice for Food and Health Policy; (13) the National Cattlemen's Association; (14) the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association; (15) the Canadian Pediatric Society; (16) the American Heart Association; (17) the California Department of Education; (18) the Produce Marketing Association; and (19) the International Dairy Foods Association. (MDM)

Ensuring that the food provided to children in schools is consistent with current dietary recommendations is an important national focus. Various laws and regulations govern the operation of school meal programs. In 1995, Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements were put in place to ensure that all meals offered would be high in nutritional quality. School Meals reviews and provides recommendations to update the nutrition standard and the meal requirements for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. The recommendations reflect new developments in nutrition science, increase the availability of key food groups in the school meal programs, and allow these programs to better meet the nutritional needs of children, foster healthy eating habits, and safeguard children's health. School Meals sets standards for menu planning that focus on food groups, calories, saturated fat, and sodium and that incorporate Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Dietary Reference Intakes. This book will be used as a guide for school food authorities, food producers, policy leaders, state/local governments, and parents.

These hearing transcripts provide testimony on a rule proposed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), "Nutrition Objectives for School Meals," that would require meals served under the national school lunch program to be consistent with federal dietary guidelines. The majority of the testimony addressed the content of school meals and efficacy of the proposed rule, either supporting the USDA's guidelines or calling for more local autonomy in planning meals to meet nutrition guidelines. Testimony was heard from: (1) Representatives Charles W. Stenholm, Pat Roberts, Steve Gunderson, and Dan Glickman; (2) Ellen Haas, the Assistant Secretary, Food and Consumer Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture; (3) the Wheat Foods Council; (4) the National Milk Producers Federation; (5) the American Cancer Society; (6) the Society for Nutrition Education; (7) the National Food Processors Association; (8) the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; (9) the Food Research and Action Center; (10) the American School Food Services Association; (11) the National Parent-Teacher Association; (12) Public Voice for Food and Health Policy; (13) the National Cattlemen's Association; (14) the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association; (15) the Canadian Pediatric Society; (16) the American Heart Association; (17) the California Department of Education; (18) the Produce Marketing Association; and (19) the International Dairy Foods Association. (MDM)

School Meal Programs: Changes to Federal Agencies' Procedures Could Reduce Risk of School Children Consuming Recalled Food

Setting nutrition guidelines and standards has been recommended internationally to ensure that school meals are in line with children’s nutrition needs and adequate to their context. This report provides a descriptive overview of the situation of school meal nutrition guidelines and standards in 33 low and middle-income countries as reported through a global survey. The report identifies key aspects to consider for stakeholders who are planning to develop or update their guidelines and standards in the context of school meal programmes.