Dec. 9—Proposed legislation to cut federal mandates on school lunch standards is expected, but the implications for fruit and vegetable requirements in school meals are unclear.
Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., has titled the legislation “Reducing Federal Mandates on School Lunch Act” and promised in a release on her website that the pending legislation would make the USDA’s temporary easing of the meat and grain requirements permanent. She also said the bill would allow schools more flexibility in serving meats and grains while still staying within calorie maximums.
The legislation would give school administrators flexibility in some rules that have increased costs for school districts.