I saw this article recently posted on my Facebook page regarding the school lunch guidelines, “USDA to allow more meat, grains in school lunches”. I also read where our Nebraska State Senator Mike Johanns was partially responsible for other positive moves towards a change in the strict guidelines and I felt like maybe the outcry had made a difference. Hmm…that’s what you get for ASSUMING! We all know what happens when we assume something.
Now, I’ve seen two blogs regarding the most recent information and it’s not what it seems. Go figure! The following are portions of the blogs with a link to each one. Now I am, once again, convinced the government agencies and the people responsible for the changes in the first place think they have pulled a fast one on us! In the words of my all time favorite…the ever so wise President Abe Lincoln:
“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”
“The changes came in the order of a letter from Sec. Vilsack, announcing that for the remainder of the school year, limits on protein and grains would be lifted. Yay! Right???
Not so fast.
The problem truly lies within the limits on calories, which is not lifted. And the release of grains and proteins is only temporary, to allow schools time to adjust their menus and find vendors that can supply these new meal requirements.” Val Wagner (Wag’n Tales)
AND
“With pomp and circumstance the news came last week, the USDA would be making allowances on the restrictions it enforced on the school lunch and breakfast program. I first heard and read about more grains and meat allowances in the school lunch. A good start.Then I started to read the fine print and saw it is only for the 2012-2013 school year.
Our schools can ignore the meat and grain restrictions but not the calorie limitations for only this school year.
Is this a solution?
Some may think so when they hear the headlines. My mom called and said, “You won!”, referring to the grass roots effort that thousands of students, schools, parents and concerned citizens have been working on for months by contacting our elected officials, letter writing to the USDA, creating videos, writing blogs and participating in Twitter chats with the USDA.” Katie Pinke (Pinke Post)
For those of you who have been trying to make your voice heard regarding this issue, PLEASE DON’T STOP! Our kids are STILL hungry. They haven’t gotten used to the changes and the fewer calories. It’s not going to just go away…not until it’s made right for our kids!
There’s a Facebook page set up specifically for this cause – Sensible School Lunches – and worth your time to check it out. Other posts I’ve done on this subject include:
Transcript of Meatless Monday and School Nutrition conversation with Tom Vilsack and Trent Loos
It’s What ANY Momma Bear Would Do!
That’s Really The Right Thing To Do