Interesting website!

I was messing around earlier today looking for some recent information and this website popped up on google!

http://www.insidetheschool.com/online-seminars/practical-ways-to-implement-the-healthy-hunger-free-kids-act/

It's a good resource for educators on tips for implementing the new act.

After the presentation Practical Ways to Implement the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act participants will be able to:

• Understand the new Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act and the history of child nutrition law
• Identify the steps for enforcement of the new act
• Recognize the importance of a school wellness committee and a district-wide wellness policy
• Identify potential obstacles to implementing the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act and ways to overcome the roadblocks
• Identify new opportunities for improved health, wellness, and academic achievement for students
• Identify opportunities and benefits of the new law

Vending Machine Changes!

Not only did the bill give the USDA authority to make changes to the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program but the USDA can also make changes to the choices available in vending machines at schools! I found a news article from St. Louis which stated

"Now the new machine at Burroughs offers yogurt and pita chips, and more of its kind could be on the way to replace the older models. The move comes as more schools, hospitals, malls and health clubs make room for more vending machines that provide healthful foods, turning the idea of machine-based eating from an act of desperation into something a little more measured."

This is exciting that the St. Louis schools are taking the initiative to offer healthier choices. Their vending machines used to offer the usual, soda and candy. Making these changes in the school system will hopefully influence the children to make healthier choices outside of the school. 

You can see the entire article here: 

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/article_a6c055d1-0e34-5ea7-8cc5-beedebcf8116.html

New rules implemented!

Read in the news today that new rules concerning the use if locally grown crops and support of local agriculture will effect the school lunch program! This is a huge progress! Many schools have been fighting to use the Farm to School program for years now! According to the news article The Farm to School component of this effort is designed to help connect schools with regional or local farms in order to serve healthy meals using locally-sourced products in their cafeterias. USDA currently is sending teams out to select school districts to work on farm to school issues. Some of these programs also incorporate nutrition-based studies, as well as food-learning opportunities such as farm visits, gardening, cooking, and composting activities.

Hope this initiative helps improve the nutrition of the school lunch and breakfast programs!

Sample Menu

When I went to Washington DC and met with Robert Kramer, he went out of his way to supply me with information on the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act and the National School Lunch Program.

One interesting piece of information was a sample menu to show the differences that would be implemented in the food choices after the act went into effect. Significant changes you can see at first glance include changes to whole wheat grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products and raw fruits and vegetables. Before the act, a lot of the meals consisted of energy dense foods (lots of calories) such as hot dogs, pizza sticks, breaded beef patty and cheese pizza for the second day in one week!

This Child Reauthorization Act and the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act is providing healthier, nutrient dense foods rather than the previous energy-dense foods. 

Money allocated to Kentucky through the HHFKA

When I met with the legislative aid to Ben Chandler in Washington DC he provided me with an interesting document. In this document there is a listing of money allocated to every state from the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, and the total National School Lunch Program from 2009.

In Kentucky:

• 570,758 students participated in the NSLP in 2009
• Kentucky is receiving $5,394,000 in funding from the HHFKA to improve school lunches

Hopefully this funding will help make the school lunches healthier for the students! We can only hope!