Stepping Up for School Nutrition: USDA’s Efforts

1. Stepping Up for School Nutrition: USDA’s Efforts Marisol Benesch Program Analyst Child Nutrition Division Food and Nutrition Service, USDA Stepping Up for a Healthier School Environment NY State Education Department April 16, 2008

2. Presentation Outline • Goal of school meal programs • National School Lunch Program (NSLP) • School Breakfast Program (SBP) • Need for changes • School Nutrition Dietary Assessment (SNDA III) • USDA’s efforts • Institute of Medicine (IOM) • Team Nutrition (TN) • Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) • Local school wellness policies • Program reauthorization

3. National School Lunch Act • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)-1946 • Sec. 2 of NSLA: “…to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation’s children…”

4. Current Nutritional Requirements • Nutrient & calorie levels’ weekly averages must meet USDA standards: • 1/3 of 1989 RDA for protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C (lunches); 1/4 of RDA for these nutrients (breakfasts) • Appropriate level of calories for each age/grade groups • Meals consistent with 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: • Limit the percent of calories from total fat to 30% and from saturated fat to less than 10% of the total calories offered • Reduce sodium and cholesterol levels • Increase the level of dietary fiber

5. Need for Changes • Sec. 9(f)(1)(A) of the NSLA requires that school meals reflect the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) • Current nutrition standards are based on the 1995 DGAs and 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances • Childhood overweight and obesity trends • USDA findings: • School Nutrition Dietary Assessment (SNDA III) • State Agency findings: • School Meals Initiative (SMI) Reviews

6. SNDA III • SNDA studies measure changes in the nutritional quality of school meals. • SNDA III collected data from a nationally representative sample of districts, schools and students in SY 2004-2005. • The nutrient content of the meals offered and served was compared to USDA’s current standards. • Students’ diets were assessed using the Dietary Reference Intakes.

7. SNDA III: Key Findings In SY 2004-2005: • Most schools offered and served lunches meeting standards for protein, vitamins A & C, calcium and iron. • More schools served lunches meeting standard for saturated fat than in SY 1998-99 (SNDA II). • Less than one-third of public schools offered or served lunches that met the standards for fat and saturated fat. • Sodium levels in lunches served remained high.

8. Top Sources of Total Fat and Saturated Fat in NSLP Lunches Total fat • Salad dressings • Condiments/spreads • Pizza products • Peanut butter sandwiches • French fries Saturated fat • Pizza products • Condiments/spreads • 2% milk • Salad plates/salad bars • Hamburgers and cheeseburgers

9. Competitive Foods • Competitive foods were widely available, especially in middle and high schools: • A la carte sales • Vending machines • Fundraisers • At all school levels, competitive foods were most often consumed at lunch. • A la carte sales during lunch: • 1/3 elementary schools • 2/3 middle and high schools

10. Competitive Foods – cont. • Consumption of competitive foods increased from elementary school to middle school and from middle school to high school. • NSLP participants were less likely than non-participants to consume competitive foods in school (19% of participants vs. 37% of non-participants).

11. Competitive Foods – cont. • Most commonly consumed competitive food for participants and non-participants: • Candy • Cookies/cakes/brownies • Carbonated soda & juice drinks

12. Competitive Foods – cont. • The competitive foods consumed by non-participants provided more calories and were significantly higher in fat and saturated fat than the competitive foods consumed by NSLP participants. • Students who consumed competitive foods obtained more than 150 calories from foods that were low in nutrients and energy dense.

13. SNDA III online The SNDA-III Summary of Findings and Full Report (3 volumes) are available on the FNS web site: http://www.fns.usda.gov/oane/

14. SMI Reviews • Many SFAs continue to have difficulties: • Meeting the nutrition standards • Following standardized recipes • Serving correct portion sizes • Following Nutrient Standard Menu Planning correctly

15. Action Plan • FNS to provide materials to emphasize and support 2005 DGAs (practical Fact Sheets) • FNS and State Agencies (SAs) to increase training and technical assistance efforts • SAs to require prompt corrective action and follow-up to ensure change • SAs to increase the use of overclaims for significant noncompliance or failure to promptly implement corrective action • FNS exploring combining CRE and SMI

16. Implementation of 2005 DGAs • Seeking assistance from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to update the meal patterns and nutrient standards for the NSLP and SBP • IOM agreement signed Feb. 11, 2008 • IOM recommendations will serve as the basis for rulemaking

17. Implementation of DGAs – cont. • IOM is convening an expert panel for the study (Virginia Stallings, MD, panel chair) • Panel to include experts in nutrition and NSLP/SBP operations • Contract allows public input • IOM’s findings and recommendations to be released to the public • Rulemaking will follow IOM study

18. Implementation of DGAs – cont. • USDA continues to emphasize the 2005 DGAs. • Memo issued Dec. 17, 2007 (SP-04-2008) provides States guidance to move toward the 2005 DGAs. • SAs should encourage SFAs to begin implementing the applicable DGAs within current program requirements. • DGAs Fact Sheets to provide practical tips on updating menus and recipes, and to serve as training materials. • Low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt • Fruit • Whole grains • Trans fat

19. Team Nutrition Publications • What’s New: • Team Up at Home • Enjoy Moving • Empowering Youth • Nutrition Essentials • Power of Choice • Materials can be ordered or downloaded from: teamnutrition.usda.gov

20. Team Up At Home • Presents MyPyramid concepts in a clear and easy to understand format • 36-page book encourages parents and children to complete hands-on activities together • Available to order (TN Schools only) or download • May 2007

21. Enjoy Moving • Targets elementary school children • Full-size poster and 8 ½ by 11 flyer also available • 2-sided: includes detailed information for each activity level of the pyramid • Available to order (TN schools only) or download • July 2007

22. Empowering Youth • Targets middle and high school students • Can be used in classrooms and other youth programs • Hands-on activities, games and discussion groups • Empowers youth to improve their school environment • Encourages teachers to serve as role models • May 2007

23. Nutrition Essentials • Six lessons for middle and high school students • Five colorful posters • Interactive CD, which includes games • April 2007

24. Power of Choice • For use by after-school program leaders working with preteens • Assists leaders in helping youth make healthy eating and physical activity choices • 2008 – soon!

25. The HealthierUS School Challenge • HUSSC encourages schools to take a leadership role in helping students make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices • Recognizes schools that offer more fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products; opportunities for physical activity; and nutrition education • 206 schools have been recognized (172 Gold, 34 Silver)

26. Updating HUSSC • The HUSSC was developed and rolled out in the summer of 2004, prior to the release of the 2005 DGAs. • A work group (staff from HQ and the ROs) is currently revising the HUSSC criteria to reflect the 2005 DGAs. • Complete revisions expected for SY 2008-2009

27. School Wellness Policy • Local schools and communities are responsible for setting guidelines for other foods available to students on the school campus during the school day. • According to SNDA III data, 44% of principals reported having a wellness policy in SY 2004-2005. • USDA supports local communities with information and technical assistance. • www.fns.usda.gov/tn

28. School Wellness Policy – cont. • Demonstration projects in California, Iowa and Pennsylvania • Document development and implementation of wellness policies by school districts/schools • Measure the effectiveness of implementation • Not a national representative sample study • Data sources include on-line surveys, interviews, and onsite observations • Final report in Sept. 2009 (preliminary findings will be shared in near future)

29. CN & WIC Reauthorization-2009 • FNS gathering information on the needs and concerns of stakeholders • Listening sessions in each FNS region (by Sept. 2008) • Notice in the Federal Register with opportunity for comments (by Oct. 2008) • Overarching themes • Strengthening program management and improving nutrition service • Ensuring access to program benefits • Advancing technology and innovation • Any ideas on program improvement are welcome

30. Summary of USDA’s Efforts • Working with the Institute of Medicine to implement the 2005 DGAs • Issuing guidance on practical actions schools can take now to meet the 2005 DGAs • DGAs Fact Sheet • Team Nutrition publications • Healthier US School Challenge • Continuing technical assistance efforts • Accompanied SMIs • Local school wellness policies • Soliciting stakeholder’s input in preparation for program reauthorization

31. Questions?