Congressman Aderholt Hosts School Meal Forum in Cullman County

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Congressman Aderholt Hosts School Meal Forum in Cullman County with Students and State, National School Nutrition Leaders

Cullman, AL -- Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) today heard from key school nutrition professionals from across the state to gauge their experiences providing school lunches to students. Following the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, school meal programs must adhere to strict new federal guidelines for school meals and will soon implement new standards for competitive foods, those foods sold outside the reimbursable school meal program. These new “Smart Snacks in School” rules are set to go into effect July 1, bringing a series of new regulations for school meal planners and students to adjust to.

School nutrition professionals from seven AL counties joined the congressman at West Point Schools in Cullman to share concerns of increased food costs coupled with decreased student participation in meal programs. The requirement for students to take certain foods deemed "healthy" has further challenged schools working with very limited budgets while resulting in significant plate waste.

Local program directors, together with state and national School Nutrition Association (SNA) representatives, stressed to Congressman Aderholt that flexibility in nutrition guidelines could help support the goals of increasing student participation in healthy meal programs by making them more appealing to students.

Congressman Aderholt, who serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies for the House Appropriations Committee, also joined a group of West Point High School students in a round-table discussion to hear their feedback on changes in their cafeterias since nutrition guidelines began implementation in fall 2012. Student participants recognized the importance of healthy options but voiced concerns about the changes being made.

"It is clear to me that it is time for the Administration to hit the pause button on the implementation of school nutrition guidelines and listen to the feedback - some of the rules are unworkable and having the opposite effect,” said Aderholt."I am hearing this from the school administrators as well as the students themselves."

"Less kids are buying school lunches and that undermines the intention to increase healthy eating in schools," said Aderholt. "This jeopardizes the economics of the program in many counties."

School Nutrition Association's national president, Leah Schmidt, joined Congressman Aderholt to provide insight on challenges felt nationwide in school meal programs and while visiting she also heard from local students and school meal professionals.

“School nutrition professionals appreciate the support of Congressman Aderholt and we look forward to working together in the future to continue to prioritize the long-term viability and strength of school meal programs in providing healthy, appealing options for students," said Schmidt.

The congressman stressed the importance for stakeholders and supporters of school meal programs to contact USDA to urge their support of allowing for local flexibility on these issues.

Aderholt currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies for the powerful House Appropriations Committee; Vice-Chairman of the Committee’s Commerce, Justice and Science; and a member of the Defense Subcommittee, and also serves on the Helsinki Commission.

For more information about Aderholt’s work in Congress visit: www.aderholt.house.gov.

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