The United Fresh Produce Association applauds the release of new nutrition standards for school meals. First Lady, Michelle Obama, and Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, celebrated the new school nutrition standards at Parklawn Elementary School in Alexandria (US).
The new standards will double the amount of fruits and vegetables served to 32 million students through the National School Lunch Programme, the first such improvement in more than 15 years.
The new nutrition standard aligns the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programmes with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, which emphasised increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Dr Lorelei DiSogra, United’s vice president of nutrition and health, said: “We are very excited that fruits and vegetables will be the stars of healthier school meals. Children like fresh fruits and vegetables and they will be eating more next school year when this regulation takes effect.
“Increasing children’s consumption of fruits and vegetables will improve their health and reduce their risk of childhood obesity. We support this landmark effort by First Lady Michelle Obama and USDA to create healthier school meals and healthier school food environments for millions of America’s children.”
Source: USDA
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