NATIONAL HARBOR, MD (August 17, 2010) – As children return to school this fall, a new School Nutrition Association (SNA) website and survey are demonstrating healthy trends in school cafeterias nationwide.

SNA’s new Tray Talk website, www.TrayTalk.org, is designed to spotlight school meal successes and provide parents with information about healthy school meals. The site, launched today, will feature “School Nutrition Success Stories” from across the country, putting the spotlight on two different school nutrition programs each month. “Latest News on the Tray” stories will be posted monthly to provide details on hot topics in school nutrition.

This month’s “News on the Tray” reports on SNA’s Back to School Trends Survey. The study, which included responses from 538 school nutrition directors managing school district foodservice operations in 44 states, reveals that, despite rising costs, schools are serving more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. The data also shows that schools are making tremendous strides in reducing added sodium and sugar in foods served on the lunch line.

• 95% of schools districts are increasing offerings of whole grain products
• 90.5% are increasing availability of fresh fruits/vegetables.
• 69% of districts are reducing or eliminating sodium in foods
• 66% of districts are reducing or limiting added sugar
• 51% of districts are increasing vegetarian options

As Congress debates Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation which would establish national nutrition standards for competitive foods, the SNA report finds that many school districts are already adopting healthier a la carte and vending policies:

• 63% of districts with a la carte services are implementing nutrition standards
• 65% are limiting the size and/or weight of their a la carte food and beverage offerings.
• 67% of districts with vending services are increasing the availability of healthier beverages in vending machines.

Respondents were asked to volunteer specific improvements to their programs for the coming school year. Comments included: preparing salads with dark leafy greens, diversifying the menu with ethnic food choices, incorporating more whole grains in bread recipes, working with local chefs, starting farm to school programs and participating in the HealthierUS School Challenge.

These school nutrition successes are particularly impressive in light of the significant financial constraints on school meal programs. The survey found that:

• 78.6% of districts expect food costs to increase in the coming school year.
• 65% anticipate that the federal reimbursement for free and reduced price meals served under the National School Lunch Program will fail to cover the cost of producing the meals.
• Meanwhile, more students are relying on the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, with 83.5% of districts reporting increases in the number of free and reduced price participation in the 2009/2010 school year.

“School nutrition professionals are constantly working to improve school meals by offering more nutritious food choices, adopting healthier food preparation techniques and incorporating nutrition education into the cafeteria,” said SNA President Nancy Rice, M.Ed., RD, LD, SNS, State Director of the Georgia Department of Education, School Nutrition Division. “But school nutrition programs need the support of parents, as well as Congress, to build on this success. Tray Talk will offer parents, and anyone interested in school nutrition, the opportunity to get the facts about healthy school meals and get involved in their local school cafeterias.”

Tray Talk is made possible with support from the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP).

SNA, (http://www.schoolnutrition.org ) the School Nutrition Association, is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 53,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. Founded in 1946, the Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals.

2010 Back to School Trends Report

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD (August 5, 2010) – The School Nutrition Association (SNA) commends the US Senate for advancing Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation prior to the body’s August recess.

“The Senate, Agriculture Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln and Senator Chambliss should be applauded for their tireless efforts to meet the nutritional needs of America’s school children,” said SNA President Nancy Rice, M.Ed., RD, LD, SNS, State Director of the Georgia Department of Education, School Nutrition Division. "The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act will expand access to healthy school meals and improve the nutritional quality of food sold throughout the school by giving the Secretary the authority to regulate food sold in vending machines."

SNA also called on the House of Representatives to make critical changes to the legislation before Congress completes its work on reauthorization.

“While school nutrition professionals commend the Senate’s commitment to providing additional resources for healthy school meals, we have serious concerns about taking those funds from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which serves the families of children we support,” said Rice. “In the effort to raise ‘Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids’ we don’t want to risk compromising their dinner to improve their lunch. The School Nutrition Association calls on the House of Representatives to find a different offset for Child Nutrition Reauthorization.”

SNA is also concerned about a provision in S. 3307 (Section 205) which would mandate schools to increase paid meal prices regardless of local circumstances.

“School nutrition professionals know from experience that significant price increases to school meals lead to significant drops in participation, impacting the quality of meals for all students,” said Rice. “By mandating price hikes, Congress could inadvertently turn The National School Lunch Program from a successful education and nutrition program serving all children, into a means-tested, income security, welfare program, stigmatizing children who rely on school meals.”

The School Nutrition Association hopes the House will take quick action in September to build on the Senate efforts to pass a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

National Harbor, MD (July 29, 2010) – The School Nutrition Association (SNA) joined Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and numerous child nutrition advocacy organizations in an event calling on Congress to take immediate action on Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation.

With few days remaining on the Congressional calendar prior to the Child Nutrition Act’s September 30th expiration, Congress has little remaining time to debate this legislation, which is critical to national efforts to promote healthy eating habits for children in the midst of a growing childhood obesity epidemic.

“School nutrition programs desperately need additional funds from Congress to support ongoing efforts to offer more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products in the lunch line,” said SNA President Nancy Rice, M.Ed., RD, LD, SNS, State Director of the Georgia Department of Education, School Nutrition Division. 

“The First Lady, health professionals, school administrators, parents – everyone - has been talking about the importance of healthy eating to children’s well-being and academic achievement,” said Rice.  “After all, what is more important than nourishing the minds and bodies of America’s future generation?  Congress cannot afford to go on summer vacation without completing this assignment.  The School Nutrition Association and its members commend Chairman Lincoln for her commitment to passing Child Nutrition Reauthorization.”

SNA, (http://www.schoolnutrition.org) the School Nutrition Association, is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 53,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.  Founded in 1946, the Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals.

National Harbor, MD (July 15, 2010) – The School Nutrition Association (SNA) commends members of the House Education and Labor Committee for forwarding HR 5504, the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act, to the House floor for debate.  Members approved the legislation by a vote of 32 to 13 during the Committee’s mark up today.

“With little time remaining on the legislative calendar, the House Education and Labor Committee’s rapid approval of HR 5504 acknowledges the importance of reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act prior to the upcoming school year,” said new SNA President Nancy Rice, M.Ed., RD, LD, SNS, State Director of the Georgia Department of Education, School Nutrition Division. 

“Healthy school meals are critical to the well-being and academic success of America’s children,” said Rice.  “Too many families are struggling to feed their children during the economic downturn, while others are struggling to adopt healthy lifestyles.  Congress simply cannot afford to wait until next year to provide school nutrition programs with the necessary resources to reach more children in need and offer additional servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy products in school cafeterias.”

SNA, (http://www.schoolnutrition.org) the School Nutrition Association, is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 53,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.  Founded in 1946, the Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals.