The Agriculture Department announced Friday two new rules aimed at giving schools more “flexibility” in serving meals to students, a move that chips away at some of the policies championed by former first lady Michelle Obama.
One proposal, which is not yet published, would give schools more choices when deciding which fruits and vegetables to serve. The USDA said it also would make it “simpler” to provide meat and meat alternatives.
Another rule seeks to make adjustments to the Summer Food Service Program. Under the changes, schools would also have ability to choose meal offerings and meal times. Students would be allowed to take nonperishable foods off-site.
Critics argue that the changes will result in children eating less fruit and vegetables and more unhealthy food like pizza, burgers and french fries.
The proposal “would create a huge loophole in school nutrition guidelines” and is another example of the Trump administration “aiming a flamethrower” at Obama-era reforms intended to make school lunches healthier, said Colin Schwartz, deputy director of legislative affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
The USDA said the rules build upon its 2018 changes, which relaxed sodium limits and whole grain requirements in the National School Lunch Program and brought back 1 percent flavored milk.
Nutrition groups, as well as a coalition of states, sued the department over those rules, arguing that they put children’s health at risk and undermine nutrition science.
As first lady, Obama played a key role in passing the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which directed USDA to cut salt, sugar and fat out of meals, promoted whole grains and required more fruits and vegetables.
The new proposals out Friday would also make some administrative changes like shifting to a “performance-focused” review process for schools.They would also clarify performance standards and eligibility requirements.
About 30 million students are served by the National School Lunch Program, while 2.6 million are served in summer months.