Two bills, the School Nutrition Flexibility Act (H.R. 1303) and the Sensible School Lunch Act (S. 427) were introduced in the House last week and the Senate this week that will permanently eliminate weekly maximums on proteins and grains served in USDA’s School Meals Program. The bills’ provisions would greatly improve the opportunity for bone-in chicken to continue to be served in the program.
In July 2012, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act imposed very limiting maximums on proteins and grains, making it essentially impossible for bone-in chicken to continue to be used in the program. Earlier this month, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service waived its limits for another school year so that bone-in chicken could continue to have the opportunity to be served.
The School Nutrition Association said that under the Kids Act serving a sandwich with two slices of whole-grain bread would exceed the limit for grains. Also, a salad topped with grilled chicken and low-fat cheese would exceed the protein limit. Further, some schools had to remove chicken and/or noodles from the soups because the traditional recipes exceeded both the protein and grain limits. The bill does not change the maximum calorie limit.
A USDA spokesperson told “The Hagstrom Report” that legislation is not necessary because “we are currently considering options to make these flexibilities permanent….” The House bill also addresses the price of school lunches by permitting schools that are financially solvent the ability to set their own prices for meals. The Senate is likely to amend its version to include the price provision.
The House bill was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Sponsors of the House bill are:
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Steve Stivers (R-15th-OH),
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Marcia Fudge (D-11th-OH),
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Marcy Kaptur (D-9th-OH),
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Larry Bucshon (R-8th-IN),
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Bob Gibbs (R-7th-OH),
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Trent Franks (R-8th-AZ),
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Ben Ray Lujan (D-3rd-IL),
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Rodney Davis (R-13th-IL),
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Pat Tiberia (R-12th-OH), and
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Frederica Wilson (D-24th-FL).
Primary Senate sponsors are John Hoeven (R-ND) and Mark Pryor (D-AR). Cosponsors are:
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John Thune (R-SD)
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Jerry Moran (R-KS)
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Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
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Pat Roberts (R-KS)
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Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
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Daniel Coats (R-IN)
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James Inhofe (R-OK)
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Tim Johnson (D-SD)
The Senate bill was referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee.
