The USDA is making the first major changes in school meals in 15 years with the aim of raising healthier children. Signed by Barack Obama and championed by the first lady, Michelle Obama, the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010 has hit home at Frederick County Public Schools. The sole purpose of this Act is to establish physical activity requirements for students in kindergarten through 12^th grade and to create nutritional content standards for food and beverages sold on school grounds.

Thanks to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, more children will have access to healthy, balanced school lunches as opposed to the sort of meals public schools used to serve.

“Most people will say that cafeterias have been getting kids fat,” said Emily Dunn, Food Service Manager. “This year there will be more fruits and vegetables instead of options high with fat.” She also added that there will be whole wheat buns and whole grain pizza crusts and breading.

Students must choose a fruit or two servings of vegetables along with their entrée, they cannot ask for their meal without it. “This year we have to tell children if they don’t have components, I have to charge the a la carte price,” Dunn said. “You will not see pizza everyday anymore,” She added.

Tina Ford, Dunn’s assistant, said, “Some days they like it. Some days they don’t. It depends on the menu.” When students don’t want their fruit or vegetable, they throw it out. Other days, they can ask for things like double mashed potatoes as their vegetable.

A lot of fruit for the cafeteria now comes from local Catoctin orchards. “We do try to stay local. Sometimes we can’t, but we do try.” Dunn said. Other foods, like chicken tenders, come from government suppliers.

The goal is for students in public schools throughout America to be affected positively by these changes. “It is a step in the right direction,” said Wendy Peterson, a certified holistic health coach. “The main causes for all of the obese children nowadays are the pre-packaged, sugar-laden food along with sodas, sports, energy drinks, and lack of physical activity.”

“A school garden would be nice. Students would be eating natural food in a natural form. They could watch it from the ground up,” Peterson added.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act also stresses the importance of limiting electronic media use to avoid the health consequences of overexposure and overuse.  Regular physical activity is critical in achieving overall health and wellbeing.

If the government continues to update their cafeteria food standards with the current nutritional science, the obesity situation in America will likely decrease. For now, they are beginning to make a difference. However, there is always room for improvement.