May 4-A new bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would regulate all food sold at schools, regardless of a district's participation in the National School Lunch program. The bill, the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act, would give the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to regulate foods sold outside of the federal programs, including those items sold on a school campus during the school day that compete with meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. The bill would force all foods sold on campus during the school day to meet the USDA's guidelines as set under the federal school meal programs.
The bill is similar to ones introduced in previous sessions of Congress. A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives.The School Nutrition Association supports the new bill, saying, "A child's needs are the same, whether they reside in Maine or Montana. Consistent standards are needed to promote wellness and send a clear message to students."