The New Rules About What Your Kids Eat At School

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If you’re interested in what your kids are eating at school, a live webcast tonight will shed some light.

The discussion is about changes to school meals  and how families can help kids and schools make the transition.

The changes stem from the federal Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

It gives the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the power to improve the nutritional standards of school breakfast and lunch programs.

The USDA made changes based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine.

As schools improve their meal choices, they’ll be reimbursed an additional six cents per meal.

Some changes include:

• Offerings of both fruits and vegetables every day
• Increased servings of whole grain-rich foods
• Providing only fat-free or low-fat milk
• Limiting calories based on the age of children to ensure proper portion size
• Reducing amounts of saturated fat, trans-fats, added sugars and sodium

As of this year, all Florida schools must have fresh Florida produce on the menu.

Florida’s “Farm to School” Program links growers to K-12 school cafeterias, as well as universities. Schools spend millions of dollars every year on fresh produce, and this program is trying to keep more of that money in Florida.

Plus, the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides funding for schools to offer a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables three to five days per week outside of breakfast and lunch.

The national school nutrition webinar is tonight at 7pm at pta.org/healthierschoolday.

Tweet questions live by using #SchoolFoodsRule, and follow the conversation on Twitter @NationalPTA.