The National School Lunch Program
and Our Children’s Health
Jenny Pompilio
PHE 510
Public Health
& Social
Justice
Introduction
• Our Children’s Health
–
–
–
–
Obesity
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Life expectancy
• National School Lunch
Program (NSLP)
– Origin
– Subpar nutrition standards
– Industry ties
• Emerging movements
A.A. Milne
“When you wake up in the
morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at
last, “what’s the first thing you
say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh.
“What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to
happen exciting today?” said
Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s
the same thing,” he said.
NSLP History
• 1946 National School Lunch Act
• 1966 Child Nutrition Act (Breakfast,
Summer, CACNP)
• 1980 Dietary Guidelines Americans
• 1983 Foods Minimal Nutritional Value
• 2002 Farm Act Fruit/Veggie Pilot
• 2004 Child Nutrition & WIC
Reauthorization Act
NSLP Quick Facts
Mission: “promote the health
and well-being of the
Nation’s children”
• >100, 000 Schools
• 28 Million lunches/day
• 5 BILLION lunches/year
• 94% of ALL schools (avg.
60% participation in NSLP)
• Free <130% FPL (49%)
• Reduced <185% (10%)
NSLP participants
48% <10 yrs old
Low income children:
• 2/3 of participants
• Equal participation
white/blacks/Hispanics
• Free lunch ~single
female HOH
Low income children are
affected more by obesity…
NSLP & Participant Nutrition
• Food based vs. nutrient based
• 1/3 RDA energy, iron, protein,
CA, Vit. A & C
• <1/4 elem. schools meet total fat
req. of <30%; <1/3 meet sat. fat
req. of <10%*
• 95% exceed upper limit for Na
• Vegetable consumption higher,
due to potatoes/french fries
• Studies suggest link btw NSLP
and overweight (do not “prove!”)
*2005 DGA new fat range 25-35%
& added sugars removed from key
messages!
NSLP & Industry
•USDA 2004: Senior Advisor on Food & Nutrition
(NCBA*); Press Secretary (NCBA); CIO (ConAgra)
•DGA 2005: Kraft; Mars; American Egg Board;
Sugar Association; NCBA
Kellogg; National Dairy
Board & Council
•2008 Sec Ag: corn sweeteners; Governor's Biotech
Partnership; fish farms
*National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Cause for Hope
National and Local Initiatives
•NSLP: Wellness Policy,
Fruit & Veggie Program;
Geographic Preference
•Oregon HB 3601:
DOE & ODA collaborate on
Farm to School & School
Garden ProgramsCentennial Learning
Center
Conclusions
• Our children’s health in peril
• Policy: double-edged sword
Children’s health vs.
Agribusiness
• Bee the change you want to
see in the world!!!
Resources
•National School Lunch Program
www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch
•Farm to School National Network
www.farmtoschool.org
•Center for Ecoliteracy
www.ecoliteracy.org
•Alliance for a Healthier Generation
www.healthiergeneration.org
•Dietary Guideline for Americans 2010
www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines
•Slow Food USA Slow Food in Schools
www.slowfoodusa.org
•Ecotrust Farm to School
www.ecotrust.org/farmtoschool