New Federal Food Service Guidelines

NEW FEDERAL FOOD SERVICE GUIDELINES

FRUSTRATE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

School lunch programs across the country are implementing new federal requirements limiting the calorie intake of students. The new requirements specifically target the high childhood obesity rate in the United States. However, the regulations have had a negative impact for the Ida Food Service Program. Three areas of frustration for Ida’s students have been the following: 

  

1.         The price has increased by 10 cents at the elementary and high school.

 2.        Condiments must be included in the calorie count so instead of having students put their own condiments on their food our staff must include a designated amount with each lunch. Additional condiments may be purchased for a nominal cost.

 3.         The amount of food for each lunch has strict guidelines. Our staff must use different size serving apparatus between grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. As you know students eating habits change regularly depending on when their growth spurts kick in and many other factors. This also frustrates many students.

If you would like to read the specific food service guidelines please visit www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/dictoryspecs.pdf.    

Our food suppliers are making changes in an effort to help us deliver a product that students like while still meeting the federal nutrition standards. However, it is a very difficult and troubling task.