School Lunches: Analyses & Challenges of Implementing Nutrition Standards

The National School Lunch Program served over 31 million children in fiscal year 2012, in part through $11.6 billion in federal supports. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 required USDA to update nutrition standards for lunches. USDA issued new requirements for lunch components -- fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, and milk -- and for calories, sodium, and fats in meals. USDA oversees state administration of the program, and states oversee local SFAs, which provide the program in schools. The changes were generally required to be implemented in school year 2012-2013. This book assesses lunch participation trends; challenges SFAs faced implementing the changes, if any; and USDAs assistance with and oversight of the changes. It also discusses modifications needed to be made to some of the new nutrition standards in school lunches.