Public Comments Open for USDA School Lunch Program

Daily school lunch offered in Columbia, MO

Last week, in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, an article revealed some
shocking school breakfast and lunch options: “Pop-Tarts and doughnuts
for breakfast for 2-year-olds. Rolls, chicken nuggets and French fries for
school lunches. Brownies given the same nutritional value as a slice of
whole-wheat bread.”

This struck a chord with me since I recently posted here about the dismal lunches served in the Columbia Public Schools in Missouri. One particularly disturbing lunch option – Smucker’s PBJ Uncrustable, Pepperidge Farms Goldfish Pretzels, Rice Krispie Treat, 1% cholocate milk, baby carrots and a fruit – is offered daily to students throughout the district!With 789-calories, the school’s website highlights that the lunch contains 23g of protein (92-calories) and just 24% fat (189-calories; 21g); no mention that this means the lunch also contains 508-calories from carbohydrate (127g), or the equivalent of 32-teaspoons of sugar in a child’s metabolism…not to mention if a parent packed such a lunch for their child each day, they’d be branded as irresponsible and lending a hand to the epidemic of childhood obesity!

With school back in session across many states, it seems we have a pattern that shows school lunches are not as healthful as we’re led to believe!

Senatobia, Mississippi: Chicken Nuggets or BBQ Rib Sandwich, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Cheesy Broccoli, Hot Cinnamon Apples, Fruit Juice, Yeast Roll, Gelatin. (assorted milk)

Randolph, Massachusetts: Nachos with cheese, beef, onion, tomato and sour cream and fruit. (assorted milk)

Roff, Oklahoma: Corndog, tator tots, black-eyed peas, chocolate pudding and milk.

Whittier, Massachusetts: Choice of Domino’s of french bread pizza, small salad, pretzel, assorted fruit. (assorted milk)

Folsom, New Jersey: Nachos with cheese or Smucker’s PB&J, vegetable, fruit and milk.

Ada, Oklahoma: Frito chili pie with cheese, green beans, garden salad, rosy applesauce, salad bar and milk.

Benton, Arkansas: Pizza, corn, salad, half an orange, milk. Nachos, pizza, chicken nuggets, corndogs, frito chili pie….what is frito chili pie anyway? And why are we not disturbed by these school lunches offered to our kids each day?

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