New School Meal Regulations

The new school meal regulations implemented in schools across the country have caused quite a stir in Vermont.  Children in Vermont have been fortunate in many cases to eat nutritious, delicious meals every day in their schools.  For example, the meal above was served at the Richmond Elementary School where children have been exposed to fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy eating well before the new guidelines were implemented.  For high performing schools, it has been challenging and confusing as to why they new school meal regulations were needed when their meal programs were already high quality and full of fresh, local products.  For other schools, where scratch cooking and serving fresh foods were not the norm, these guidelines are challenging schools to improve meal quality and teach children about healthy eating right in the school cafeteria.

At Hunger Free Vermont, we see the new school meal guidelines as an opportunity to not only replicate the good work happening in our schools' meal programs in other parts of the state, but also to integrate healthy eating into children's lives at an early age.  We can use these guidelines as an opportunity to connect schools with local agriculture to provide more fresh, local products which can spark a lifelong connection to local eating for children.

For the last five years we've seen a steady increase in childhood hunger in Vermont with 1 in 5 children experiencing food insecurity.  School meals are one of the most consistent and nutritious sources of food for children at risk for hunger.  Implementing the new meal guidelines is a transition to healthier meals for children and the adjustment will take some time.  However, in the long run we see the new meal regulations as a chance to transform school meal programs across Vermont and the country which will ultimately improve the health of our children in our state and our nation.  Ultimately for this transition to be a success we need parents, children, and the schools to work creatively together to serve food children will enjoy eating and encourage children to try new fruits and vegetables being served.  Hunger Free Vermont will continue to work directly with the Department of Education, the Vermont School Nutrition Association, and schools to make the transition to the new meal regulations a success for everyone.  For more information on how we're helping schools meet the new requirements check out our school meals website!