Congress Could Take Bite Out Of School Nutrition Regulations
ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- There is some concern among school officials in Colorado about the future of school nutrition if Congress continues to change the current program.
The healthy meals championed by First Lady Michelle Obama are facing a tough challenge on Capitol Hill.
According to Feeding America's website, every five years Congress must authorize child nutrition programs. During this process, Congress will debate new funding levels, ways to strengthen and improve the programs, and develop new policies to make sure our nation's children have access to healthy, nutritious food.
The current bill, The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, is set to expire on September 30, 2015.
Proposed changes are already simmering. The recently introduced "Healthy School Meals Flexibility Act" would require at least half of grains served in schools be whole grain rich, not the current 100 percent. And the legislation would stop stricter sodium limits from taking effect in 2017.
At Tennyson Knolls School in Arvada they have a program called "Breakfast after the Bell." Kids in this Adams County District 50 school see the benefits of the free breakfast.
"It kind of refuels my energy to learn and play and get my brain going," said 4th grader Yashaswi Rai.
Ellie Agar with "Hunger Free Colorado" worries about backsliding on nutrition if changes are made to the current school meal programs.
"Most of the students who maybe don't have access to the proper foods at home they need to be able to rely on that here at the schools," said Agar.
Teacher Kyle Pischke hopes the healthier meals remain, but is most concerned about hungry children.
"I think as long as they're getting something it helps," said Pischke.
When asked about school meals, Republican Colorado Congressman Mike Coffman released this statement: "While we all support healthy school lunches, the First Lady's regulations have proven to be a costly burden for districts and wildly unpopular with students. One size does not fit all and we must provide flexibility for local decision making."
Expect the issues of money and menus to heat up in the coming weeks.
Kathy Walsh is CBS4's Weekend Anchor and Health Specialist. She has been with CBS4 for more than 30 years. She is always open to story ideas. Follow Kathy on Twitter @WalshCBS4.
