More than 600 school nutrition professionals will call on Congress to adopt national school food and beverage standards for ?competitive foods? sold on school campuses.
School foodservice directors, nutritionists, state child nutrition directors and foodservice industry representatives will discuss these and other important child nutrition issues.
A key legislative issue the School Nutrition Association (SNA) is advocating for national school food and beverage standards to apply to items made available on the school campus outside of the balanced meals served through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Under current law, meals provided through the school lunch and breakfast programs must follow nutrition standards in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Currently, there are no national nutrition standards for ?competitive foods? or foods sold or made available outside of the school cafeteria, resulting in a patchwork of guidelines throughout the country. Consistent standards are needed to promote wellness and send a clear and positive message to schoolchildren nationwide.
SNA is also advocating for:
Funding of the Reduced Price School Meal Pilot ? SNA urges Congress to provide $23 million over three years to carry out the reduced price school meal pilot and create greater access to school meals for students.
School Breakfast Commodities ? SNA urges that 10 cents be provided in Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-quality commodities for each school breakfast served.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program ? SNA supports expanding the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program as a way to promote healthy eating habits and nutrition education among children.
The School Nutrition Association is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. The Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals. Currently celebrating its sixtieth anniversary, SNA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children?s health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.