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USDA TO ALLOW MORE MEAT, GRAINS IN SCHOOL LUNCHES
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Agriculture Department is responding to criticism over new school lunch rules by allowing more grains and meat in kids’ meals.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told members of Congress in a letter Friday that the department will do away with daily and weekly limits of meats and grains. Several lawmakers wrote the department after the new rules went into effect in September saying kids aren’t getting enough to eat.
School administrators also complained, saying set maximums on grains and meats are too limiting as they try to plan daily meals.
“This flexibility is being provided to allow more time for the development of products that fit within the new standards while granting schools additional weekly menu planning options to help ensure that children receive a wholesome, nutritious meal every day of the week,” Vilsack said in a letter to Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.
The new guidelines were intended to address increasing childhood obesity levels. They set limits on calories and salt, and phase in more whole grains. Schools must offer at least one vegetable or fruit per meal. The department also dictated how much of certain food groups could be served.
While nutritionists and some parents have praised the new school lunch standards, others, including many conservative lawmakers, refer to them as government overreach. Yet many of those same lawmakers also have complained about hearing from constituents who say their kids are hungry at school.
Though broader calorie limits are still in place, the rules tweak will allow school lunch planners to use as many grains and as much meat as they want. In comments to USDA, many had said grains shouldn’t be limited because they are a part of so many meals, and that it was difficult to always find the right size of meat.
The new tweak doesn’t upset nutritionists who fought for the school lunch overhaul.
Margo Wootan, a nutrition lobbyist for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, says the change is minor and the new guidance shows that USDA will work with school nutrition officials and others who have concerns.
“It takes time to work out the kinks,” Wootan said. “This should show Congress that they don’t need to interfere legislatively.”
Nutjob
December 9th, 2012
Margo Wootan, a nutrition lobbyist for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, says the change is minor and the new guidance shows that USDA will work with school nutrition officials and others who have concerns.
…..and as usual the pharoah and his minions believe they have the cure and can solve any of the problems they created in the first place.
norman einstein
December 9th, 2012
How much did this moronic ‘experiment’ cost?
The whole thing was just to give Moose something to do, while helping with the Nannyization of the country.
But at least the hypocrisy was “transparent”, so there’s THAT.
And, Moose, FYI, that unpleasant smell you’re reacting to seems to be emanating from…well…er…
Carlos The Jackal
December 9th, 2012
Does moo have some sort of condition by which her upper lip constantly smells bad?
It sure would explain her facial expressions.
Mary Jane Anklestraps
December 9th, 2012
She has facial tics. People do that when they’re stressed and uncomfy. So any day now, expect her face to end up like this:
http://www.blackfive.net/main/images/2009/01/26/funny_face_old_man.jpg
eternal ¼ cracker p
December 9th, 2012
Now that Moose has been tramping her agenda on the public for the past 4 years, what are the results? How much less or more obese are the victims of horrible food? If the results are insignificant or in favor of children actually being MORE obese, shouldn’t she be cut off?
Conversely, how many more or less children are under nourished?
Unneutral
December 9th, 2012
Why can’t the locals make their own decisions?
Why is it that the Feds insist on micromanaging everything?
Why do we even tolerate all this BS?
historicus
December 9th, 2012
Some “Summer’s Eve” would take care of that odor, Mooch.
eternal ¼ cracker p
December 9th, 2012
“summer’s Eve” would make it smell like someone threw up in a field of daisies.
Ten Megaton
December 9th, 2012
Isn’t one freeloading Nazi sympathizer in the White House enough? Why can’t Fatass just go rescue animals, or cook at a soup kitchen, or check herself into a drug rehab.
Ten Megaton
December 9th, 2012
Doesn’t the duffer need a caddy?
bitterclinger
December 9th, 2012
Unneutral — The Feds decide because “they” pay for those lunches, out of states’ recycled tax money.
The other reason they’ll decide what’s okay for the proles to eat is for ObamaCare. It “they’re” going to be paying for your healthcare, you can be damn sure they’re going to try to maximize (i.e., kill off) their investment.
States need to be states again, and govern themselves. Screw D.C.
ward
December 9th, 2012
why, with those pearls she looks and lovely as June Cleaver
IronyCurtain
December 9th, 2012
The face that launched a thousand shits.
Alpha Maser
December 9th, 2012
Who dat Wookie?