Canned or fresh: Congress enters the debate

House lobbies for canned fruits and vegetables to qualify for program.

Aug. 7—The fight over school lunch is far from over. The newest battle concerns allowing canned fruits and vegetables to qualify under a program that traditionally distributed only fresh produce to schools. 

Since its creation a decade ago, the program has been distributing free fresh fruit and vegetables as snacks to elementary schools that have a high percentage of low-income children, a group that typically has less exposure to fresh produce and does not consume anywhere near the amount recommended by national dietary guidelines.

Advocates of the House legislation say schools should have access to produce in all forms. The frozen, canned and dried varieties are often more affordable than fresh produce, they argue, and their inclusion would enable schools to provide a wider range of options year-round. 

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Related Terms: K-12

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by klfoster | August 13, 2012 - 3:03pm

In a "snack" form, I would think the veggies need to be fresh (carrots, peppers, celery, carrots, broc, cauliflower, etc) The fruit could be fresh, canned, frozen or dried.
But really, how about looking at the bigger picture, from the classroom, to the lunchroom to the diningroom table.
Instead of just snacks, how about looking at the menu in terms of carb, fat & protein?
I have a local daycare menu in front of me and see so many processed, high sodium items. Bratwurst, hot hogs, chicken nuggets,cheese covered everything, etc.
How about deciding, corn, peas and potatoes are the same nutritionally in any form, but non-startchy veggies served at meals need to be purchased frozen and need to be steamed.
What happened to soup,un-processed meats and cooks that cook, not "open & heat". Educate our foodservice staff and allocate labor dollars so they can prepare foods.Let's REALLY do it consistently, instead of just having a celebrity flash in and flash out for network ratings.
Schools need to "teach & practice" good nutrition elements; part of the curriculum. What happened to Home Ec? cooking is nearly a thing of the past.Parents need to practice it at home.If your home budget demands canned green beans instead of fresh or frozen, so be it, it is better than the $1.00 menu! And speaking of the $1.00 menu,if no one bought the nutrient devoid fast-food items; if we all just one day,we all "drove past" not thru, it would be noticed!