Tuesday, September 3, 2013

School Lunch Decoded: What it Means for You

School Lunch Decoded: What it Means for You
Anna Nicks
9-3-13  7:41 pm

OWENSVILLE, MO - RIINNGG!  The bell rings and everyone jumps out of their chairs and runs for the lunchroom, only to get there and start complaining about the lunchroom offerings.  This year, the complaints have been specifically pointed toward the new lunch regulations. 
                The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) was to begin in the 2012-2013 school year, and it did.  The bill passed in congress states that on a weekly basis, 50% of grains offered must be whole, all pastas must be whole grain, and the maximum amount of calories for grades 9-12 is 850; there are sodium and fat quotas, and new regulations of the fat amount allowed in milk. 
                When talking with both Lead Cook, Sheila Jett, and Director of Food Services, Jackie Kohler, various things were brought up, including the way that the restrictions are to be introduced.  Every year, a new restriction will be introduced, including the lowering of sodium from 686 mg daily to 500 mg daily by the school year of 2022.  It is taking so long because they will slowly continue to reduce sodium each year so that the change is not as dramatic, because Americans are so used to eating salt. They are also moving from 50% whole grains to nothing but whole grains within the next several years.  As well this year, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches may no longer be offered as a free option because of the protein restrictions.     
One concern shared by Jett and Kohler was the cost of the fruits and vegetables.  Because of the nearly doubled amount required of each, more money has to be put toward fruits and vegetables, and less money can be put to use buying the other food necessary.   As Kohler says, “Eating healthy is expensive”.  Still another concern was the food going to waste.  When forced to take the fruits and vegetables, many students simply throw them away without even touching them.  Jett says there needs to be improvements as it is important for the food to be good, and because for some, school lunch is the only hot meal that they get.   When asked what they would change if they could change one thing, the answer was that they would not require so many whole grains.  Both Jett and Kohler say, though, no matter how much you don’t like the food, don’t blame the cooks.  They have to follow the laws set by the national government.
 Dietician Brenda Voss, meanwhile, is astounded at the rise of type two diabetes.  She says that it used to be so unheard of in children that it was called adult onset diabetes.  Now, it is very common, as a matter of fact, 17% of American children and teens are overweight or obese.  When asked whether or not she thought that school lunches are contributing to the rising obesity rates, she answered that she did not think that school lunches are directly impacting that rates, which goes along with Kohler saying that, “Kids don’t get fat from eating school lunch.”   
Voss says that there are good points and bad points to the HHFKA.  She says that the good things are that there are more fruits and vegetables being offered, less fat in the food and the milk, and restrictions on the amount of sodium allowed in food.  Voss does, however, believe that some changes do need to be made in order to perfect the laws.  To start with, the food needs to be less processed.   Other necessary changes include the need to tailor the amount of food to the student.  Voss says that each child has different needs, depending on weight, height, age, and sex.  This can be calculated by finding you BMI (Body Mass index).  Your needs also depend on amount of activity and/or exercise.
Another thing that Voss says is important is to get kids involved in their choices.  She says that they should be able to put in their input about which fruits and vegetables they like better and such.  She suggests that the information be taken by survey or quick questionnaire.  Voss says that if kids get involved with their choices and don’t feel as if they’re being forced into something, then they might be more willing to accept it.  As well as that, she says that it is important for the regulations to be introduced slowly.  The government seems to be on the same page as Voss, because they do plan to introduce stricter laws in the near future.  One of the laws that will take the longest will be the sodium reduction.  Over the course of many years, until 2022, the sodium amount allowed daily in food will be reduced.
 Overall though, Voss is in favor of the laws saying that “It has positive benefits because 17% of children are obese, but it needs to be put in gradually, and kids need to be involved with the choices.”     
                Unlike Voss, however, many students and parents are outraged at these new requirements.  In fact, when 139 Owensville High students where asked about their opinion on the new regulations, 75.5% answered that they were aware of the laws and 24.5% said that they were unaware.  Out of those people that said yes, 13% felt positively about the laws, 3% had no opinion and 84% were against them.  Many of the students that felt negatively about the laws thought that it was unfair that they are being forced to take food that they do not want, and athletes think that what is being provided is not enough to satisfy their needs. 
                Andy Gerth feels very strongly against the laws.  He says “I am opposed to the regulation of school lunch content and sizes.  In my opinion, the government has no place controlling the portions.  If somebody is deprived of a good, filling lunch, then they will go home and eat more anyway.  Kids deserve the freedom…this great country offers.  I run cross country and play baseball.  I either have to bring my lunch or buy two lunches to get the energy I need to perform well in these sports.  I just do not think that this is the solution.”
                Nicholas Plocinski thinks similarly, along with Justin Hutchinson, Cody Forsee, and Daniel Kapellmann.  They say that “the fact that we have to take fruit and vegetables, even if we aren’t going to eat them, is pretty…stupid and wasteful.”
                Nicks Collins is among the few that support the new regulations.  He says “I love the food the school serves.  I do not understand why people complain.  It’s healthy for you.”
                A fellow student, who wishes to remain anonymous, agrees with Collins.  “Eating healthier is something that young people need to do to better themselves.  Fruits and vegetables are good for you and provide nutrients your body needs.  Therefore, I agree with the new [healthy] food regulations.”

*This story was written during the 2012-2013 school year.  The information still applies to this year.

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