The National School Lunch Program and Our Children’s Health

Jenny Pompilio

PHE 510 Public Health

& Social Justice

On the Menu

• Our Children’s Health• National School Lunch

Program (NSLP)– Origin– Subpar nutrition

standards– Industry ties

• Advocacy & Action

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.

Appetizer: Our Children’s Health

• Overweight affects 1/3 of U.S. children.– 3 fold increase in obesity since 1980

• By 2035, 100k new cases of heart disease.• Lifetime risk of children for Type 2 Diabetes:– 32.8% for boys – 38.5% for girls

• Life Expectancy:– Boys will lose 11.6 yrs – Girls will lose 14.3 yrs

1st Course: 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 • 2009 Child Nutrition

Reauthorization Act (CNRA)

NSLP Quick Facts

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

• >100, 000 Schools • 32 Million meals/day• 5 BILLION lunches/year• 94% of ALL schools (avg.

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

NSLP participants

• 48% <10 yrs old• Low income children:– 2/3 of participants– Equal participation for

white/blacks/Hispanics– Free lunch ~

single female HOH

• Low income children affected more by obesity…

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

CA, Vitamins 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 Dietary Guidelines

Americans new fat range 25-35%; added sugars removed from key mxs

2nd Course: 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•2009 Sec Ag: Governor's Biotech Partnership; corn- based ethanol; feedlots.

*National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Dessert: Hope

• NSLP: Wellness Policies; Fruit & Veggie Program; Geographic Preference; Obama $10 Billion boost; Deputy Sec Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan• Oregon HB 3601: DOE & ODA collaborate on Farm to School & School Garden Programs• Farm to Cafeteria Conference March 2009http://farmtocafeteriaconference.com/• 2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act

National and Local Initiatives

Conclusions

• Children’s health in peril• Policy double-edged sword Children’s health vs. Agribusiness

• Bee the change you want to see in the world!!!

• Get involved in school nutrition and the CNRA

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•School Nutrition Association CNRA 2009 http://www.schoolnutrition.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•Organic Consumers Association www.organicconsumers.org