Federal nutrition mandates have hurt the financial health of school meal programs, say 70 percent of U.S. school nutrition directors in a survey.
The survey by the National Harbor, Md.-based School Nutrition Association said 58 percent of those responding said school lunch participation declined under the new standards, with 93 percent of that group citing “decreased student acceptance of meals” as a factor in the decline, according to a news release about the poll.
The School Nutrition Association said the survey supports the argument for more funding and more flexibility in school meal nutrition requirements, including the mandate for a half a cup or fruit or vegetable at each reimbursable meal.
“School nutrition standards have resulted in many positive changes, but we cannot ignore the repercussions — the financial impact of these rules threatens school meal programs and their efforts to better serve students,” Jean Ronnei, SNS, SNA president and chief operations officer at Saint Paul Public Schools, Minn., said in the release. “To ensure programs remain financially sustainable for the children they serve, Congress must provide more funding and reasonable flexibility under the most stringent rules.”
The survey found nearly three in four school districts with a la carte service report decreased revenue since the 2014 Smart Snacks in School rules took effect, according to the release.
The report cited USDA statistics that the updated school nutrition standards have resulted in one million fewer students choose school lunch each day under the new rules.
About the SNA survey said eight in 10 school districts have attempted to offset losses with a variety of measures, according to the release, including:
- 49 percednt of districts have reduced staffing;
- 41 percent have diminished the meal program’s reserve fund;
- 36 percent have limited menu choices and variety; and
- 32 percent have deferred or canceled equipment investments.
“Schools are trying to expose students to a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, but faced with rising costs and shrinking revenue, many have been forced to limit pricey choices like snap peas and berries and serve more affordable options, like celery and juice,” Ronnei said in the release.