ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 5, 1996 TAG: 9606050012
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
A lot of baby boomers turn 50 this year, and the programs they've known all their lives turn 50, too.
On Tuesday, the National School Lunch Program joined them.
Like most programs of its generation, the school lunch program has grown and matured over the years. But unlike many of its peers, it is healthier in content and size today than ever before, serving nutritious meals to more than 25 million students in 92,000 schools across the nation.
Reflecting on the program's years of success, Penny McConnell, president of the American School Food Service Association, said, "Six generations of children have grown up stronger, healthier, and better able to learn because of the dedication of Congress, school food service professionals and nutrition professionals in ensuring they receive proper nutrition at school."
The national nonprofit association represents 65,000 members of the school food service industry who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. It is the only association in the country devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children's health and well-being through school meals and sound nutrition education in public and nonprofit private schools.
Philanthropic and women's organizations began serving school lunches at the turn of the century to a limited number of schools in industrial cities. In Cincinnati, children received penny lunches consisting of a hot meat sandwich, baked sweet potato, an orange, candy balls and graham crackers.
In 1910, the Journal of Home Economics praised the school lunches provided by volunteers. These meals help the children "both physically and mentally. They are more attentive, and interested in the lessons .. and the result in their recitations gives the proof."
Congress and the president expanded the program nationwide when the Defense Department reported a record number of draftees failed their physicals because of malnutrition-related problems. President Harry Truman signed the National School Lunch Act into law June 4, 1946, declaring the measure "a matter of national security to safeguard the health and well-being of the nation's children."
In the 1960s, the media and Congress brought to light the pervasiveness of hunger in the United States. The shocked nation called for action. Based on the years of cumulative successful experience under the National School Lunch Program, the demonstrated relationship between food and good nutrition, and the capacity of children to develop and learn, Congress decided to use the School Lunch Program to help end childhood hunger and improve children's ability to learn. The Child Nutrition Act of 1966 provided additional funds so that all low-income children could receive their meals free, and expanded the program to include breakfasts. In 1995, more than 14 million low-income children received free or reduced-price school meals.
School lunches have kept pace with changes in nutrition science and provide one-third to one-half of the Recommended Daily Allowances for key nutrients and are lower in sodium and fat, resulting in the most nutritious meals in program history.
Yet, school food service and nutrition professionals continue to strive for excellence. All schools are working to ensure that their meals meet the updated 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the 1996-97 school year and are continuing to improve their appeal to children. By using exciting new recipes and cooking methods, the professionals are creating "kids-style" meals that are both healthful and delicious. |- SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE ASSOC.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 linesby CNB