The National School Breakfast Program feeds 10 million children each day, and the National School Lunch Program feeds more than 30 million students. However, the national standards and meal requirements for these meals were created more than a decade ago.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program (Food and Nutrition Service) was also designed to increase fruit and vegetables available to schools. In 2008 farm bill called for gradual expansion of program to all states by 2012.
An Institute of Medicine committee is in the process of recommending updates and revisions to the school lunch and breakfast programs, at the request of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The planning model used to develop current nutritonal standards and related meal requirements is based on legislation that provided specifications for use of 1995 Dietary Guidelines for American and the 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances. This model considers needs of the entire population of school children rather than specific individuals. The first part of the committee's work is contained in the report Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements for National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: Phase I. Proposed Approach for Recommending Revisions. The ultimate goal of the committee is to improve children's diets by reducing the apparent prevalence of inadequate and excessive food and nutrient intakes. Phase II of the report is expected in Fall 2009. Some issues being discussed in Phase II research are the appropriateness of current age grade groups and how will cost effect the new revisions. The USDA does not anticipate additional funding to implement the revisions.
Some students have recognized the importance of a well balanced diet and started programs on a local level. Programs like the School Food Plus Initiative & E.A.T.W.I.S.E. Parents are also getting in on the action and have formed school district wellness committees around the country. They are looking forward to developing welness policies that will charge local school districts with setting targets for nutition education.