Today a news report claimed that schools across the country are dropping out of the National School Lunch Program because the standards are too difficult to implement.
The truth is that the vast majority of schools across the country are meeting the updated meal standards successfully, which is so important to help all our Nations children lead healthier lives. Even before the new standards took effect and more resources were available, many schools across the country were leading the way with healthier options and appropriate portion sizes. In fact, schools that adopted the changes earlier report that participation increased as students and parents became accustomed to the healthier options. USDA continues to provide additional flexibility and technical assistance to schools as they all now work to offer healthier meals. We also encourage the very few eligible school districts that have chosen not to participate in the program to take steps to ensure all children will still have access to healthy, affordable meals during the school day.
Here are some of the many examples of schools that have been successful in implementing these changes.
- School Districts Show Positive Trends on Nutritional Policies, Physical Activity
- USDA Congratulates Six States for Nearly 100% of Schools Meeting New Meal Standards
- Change You Can Taste: School Lunch Program Gets a Makeover
- Secretary's Column: Research Shows that Kids Like Healthy Options
- Secretary’s Column: Generational Change to Improve Childhood Nutrition
- Ask a School Meals Expert: How are Schools Helping Students Adjust to the New School Meals?
Here are a few success stories from states, which we have been collecting as part of a series on the Let’s Move! Blog (this list will be updated as the series continues):
- Alabama: Alabama City School System Proactive in Meeting New Meal Standards
- Alaska: Kiana School in Alaska Gets a Salad Bar
- Arizona: Arizona Schools Put the Spark Back in School Lunch
- Arkansas: Beyond Lunch: Taking Breakfast to the Classroom in Little Rock, Arkansas
- California: School Meals Are a Pleasure to Eat in Riverside, California
- Colorado: Fueling the Future, Colorado-Style
- Connecticut: Connecticut School Makes Healthy Meals a Priority
- Delaware: Delaware Student Focus Group Gives Feedback on School Meals
- Florida: Kids Eat with their Eyes and “Tummies” in Bradenton, Florida
- Georgia: Georgia Schools Involve Students and the Community in Meeting Meal Standards
- Hawaii: Cooking Up Change at Kihei Public Charter School in Hawaii
- Idaho: Idaho Chef Designs School Meals
- Illinois: In Chicago, a Model School Makes Breakfast Special
- Kansas: Using Creativity and Technology to Promote Nutritious Meals in Kansas
- Kentucky: Whitley County Schools Proactive in Implementing New Meal Standards
- Louisiana: School Kids are Eating Stir Fry in New Orleans
- Maryland: Prince George’s County Schools in Maryland Enjoy Meals, Get Moving
- Massachusetts: Farm to School Program Introduces Students to Fun of Healthy Eating in Massachusetts
- Michigan: Michigan Chef Embraces First Lady’s “Chefs Move to Schools” Initiative
- Minnesota: Minnesota Raising the Bar for School Foods
- Mississippi: Farm to School, a Popular Ingredient at Lamar County School in Mississippi
- Nevada: Washoe County School District in Nevada Promotes Healthy Eating Habits
- New Hampshire: Small Change Make a Big Impact in New Hampshire
- New Jersey: New Jersey School Gardens Offer More than Just Produce
- New Mexico: Tasting New Foods and Recess before Lunch Create Healthy Students in New Mexico
- New York: USDA Officials Talk about New Meal and Snack Standards at New York City School
- Oklahoma: High School Students Enjoy New Tastes at Union Street Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Oregon: A Fresh (Fish) Spin on an Old Concept
- Pennsylvania: Super Hero Gets Kids Moving at Pennsylvania School
- Bringing Fresh, Locally Grown Produce to Rhode Island Students
- South Dakota: How Traditional Food Can Create Healthier Schools In South Dakota
- Tennessee: Knox County Schools in Tennessee Hit the Ground Running on New School Meals
- Texas: In Texas, Technology Hits Cafeterias
- Utah: Nourishing a Healthier Future in Provo, Utah
- Vermont: Five Simple Tips to Get Kids Excited about Eating Their Fruits and Veggies, Vermont-style
- Virginia: PTA Leads the Way on Healthy Food in Virginia School
- Virgin Islands: Learning about Proper Nutrition with Our Hands and Our Brains at a Virgin Islands High School
- Washington: Healthy Eating Gets Colorful and Creative in Washington State
- Wisconsin: A Focus on Healthy Lifestyles in Northern Wisconsin
- Wyoming: Wyoming School Meals Get Healthier with Stealth Vegetables