The National School Lunch Program and Our Children’s Health

Jenny Pompilio

PHE 510 Public Health

& Social Justice

Introduction• Our Children’s Health

– Obesity– Heart Disease– Diabetes– Life expectancy

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)– Origin– Subpar nutrition standards– Industry ties

• Emerging movements

A.A. Milne“When you wake up in the morning,

Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”

“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”

“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.

Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said.

NSLP History• 1946 National School Lunch Act • 1966 Child Nutrition Act (Breakfast, Summer, CACNP)• 1980 Dietary Guidelines Americans • 1983 Foods Minimal Nutritional Value • 2002 Farm Act Fruit/Veggie Pilot • 2004 Child Nutrition & WIC Reauthorization Act

NSLP Quick Facts

Mission: “promote the health and well-being of the Nation’s children”

• >100, 000 Schools • 28 Million lunches/day• 5 BILLION lunches/year• 94% of ALL schools (avg.

60% participation in NSLP) • Free <130% FPL (49%)• Reduced <185% (10%)

NSLP participants

48% <10 yrs oldLow income children:• 2/3 of participants• Equal participation

white/blacks/Hispanics• Free lunch ~single

female HOHLow income children areaffected more by obesity…

NSLP & Participant Nutrition• Food based vs. nutrient based• 1/3 RDA energy, iron, protein,

CA, Vit. A & C• <1/4 elem. schools meet total fat

req. of <30%; <1/3 meet sat. fat req. of <10%*

• 95% exceed upper limit for Na• Vegetable consumption higher,

due to potatoes/french fries• Studies suggest link btw NSLP

and overweight (do not “prove!”)*2005 DGA new fat range 25-

35% & added sugars removed from

key messages!

NSLP & Industry•USDA 2004: Senior Advisor on Food & Nutrition (NCBA*); Press Secretary (NCBA); CIO (ConAgra)•DGA 2005: Kraft; Mars; American Egg Board; Sugar Association; NCBA Kellogg; National Dairy Board & Council•2008 Sec Ag: corn sweet- eners; Governor's Biotech Partnership; fish farms

*National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Cause for Hope

•NSLP: Wellness Policy, Fruit & Veggie Program; Geographic Preference•Oregon HB 3601: DOE & ODA collaborate on Farm to School & School Garden Programs-Centennial Learning Center

National and Local Initiatives

Conclusions

• Our children’s health in peril• Policy: double-edged sword Children’s health vs.

Agribusiness• Bee the change you want to

see in the world!!!

Resources•National School Lunch Program www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch•Farm to School National Network www.farmtoschool.org•Center for Ecoliteracy www.ecoliteracy.org•Alliance for a Healthier Generation www.healthiergeneration.org•Dietary Guideline for Americans 2010 www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines•Slow Food USA Slow Food in Schools www.slowfoodusa.org•Ecotrust Farm to School www.ecotrust.org/farmtoschool