{"id":972,"date":"2011-10-18T11:44:17","date_gmt":"2011-10-18T17:44:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/?p=972"},"modified":"2011-10-19T10:19:21","modified_gmt":"2011-10-19T16:19:21","slug":"three-reasons-why-idahos-senators-dont-like-new-usda-lunch-recommendations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/idaho\/2011\/10\/18\/three-reasons-why-idahos-senators-dont-like-new-usda-lunch-recommendations\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Reasons Why Idaho’s Senators Don’t Like New USDA Lunch Recommendations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Erik Rank \/ Getty Images<\/p>

Idaho has long been known for its Russet Potatoes<\/p><\/div>\n

Idaho’s senators are trying to block new USDA\u00a0 recommendations that would limit servings of potatoes to school kids.<\/p>\n

The Northwest News Network reports<\/a> the USDA is recommending that districts in the National School Lunch Program limit servings of starchy vegetables to one cup a week per student.\u00a0 That means fewer scoops of corn, lima beans and most politically charged — potatoes.<\/p>\n

“Every state grows potatoes,” he says. “Now, Idaho is the No. 1 growing state, but we represent one-third of all U.S. potatoes. So this is an important issue for really every state in the union.” – Frank Muir, Idaho Potato Commission<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here’s why Idaho’s senators and potato farmers don’t like the proposal:<\/p>\n