Stenzel says new poll shows it's not time to roll back school nutrition standards
Stenzel says new poll shows it's not time to roll back school nutrition standards
WASHINGTON — United Fresh Produce Association Chief Executive Tom Stenzel said a new poll that shows parents overwhelmingly support new school meal standards that require more fruits and vegetables shows it's not time to roll back the standards in the nation's schools.
Some 500 produce representatives are in Washington, DC, this week for the group's annual Washington Conference, and school nutrition standards are on the agenda during a session, "Why fighting for Healthier School Meals is So Important."
The new poll, released Sept. 8 by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Heart Association found 91 percent of parents support requiring schools to include a serving of fruits or vegetables with every meal.
The findings come as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Smart Snacks" standards, which took effect July 1, represent the first major update to national guidelines for school snack foods and beverages in more than 30 years. To meet the standards, a snack food must be a fruit, a vegetable, protein, dairy or whole grain; it must have fewer than 200 calories; and it must be low in fat, sodium and sugar.
Similar nutrition standards for school breakfasts and lunches already are in effect, and the USDA said they're being met by some 90 percent of school districts.
Congressional Republicans, however, have attacked the new standards and are advocating for school districts to opt out of the nutrition overhaul, at least temporarily.
"The new national poll underscores the strong support by parents for the new healthier school meal standards that require more fresh fruits and vegetables," Stenzel said. "We put our kids' health first and Congress must continue to do the same. There can be no going back to water down the modest requirement that children take at least one-half cup of fruit or vegetable at breakfast and lunch."
Stenzel added, "Instead, we should be looking for ways to reach our public health goal of half the plate being fruits and vegetables, not just half a cup."
