Fallout From Federal School Lunch Dictates

The Jefferson County Department of Education is feeling the financial fallout from Federal dictates regarding the content of school lunches. In a push to address the trend of childhood obesity, the USDA-with significant support from First Lady Michelle Obama-instigated strict guidelines for school lunches during the 2012-2013 school year. Some school officials, however, are questioning the success and sustainability of the program without some major changes. Students have largely rejected the more bland diet and smaller portions associated with the guideline changes. In counties such as Jefferson County, where the poverty rate hovers around the 25% mark and students receiving free or reduced lunch account for 76% of the student population, school prepared meals take on a place of significant importance. Most elementary and middle schools in Jefferson County have a weekend food program, which sends food home by students to ensure that there is something sustainable in the cupboard on days that school is not in session. Though there are government assistance programs to provide food and necessities, the reality is that children are at the mercy of adults to properly use these resources. Department of Education employees are concerned that the extremely low calorie count of the food served, small portions and flavor is impacting those students that depend on school provided meals for substance. The caloric count for lunches served in grades k-5 cannot exceed a daily average of 650 calories. Middle School student lunches cannot exceed a daily average of 700 calories and High School student cannot exceed 850 calories for a daily caloric content. A kindergartener with a sedentary lifestyle, meaning that they get less than 30 total minutes of moderate physical activity, require 1200 calories daily. That number rises significantly as activity levels increase. A ten year old male (average 4^th grader) requires 1600 calories for a sedentary lifestyle and 2200 for an active lifestyle, however the USDA daily average caloric maximum is the same for both age groups. A sedentary middle schooler needs 2000 calories and an active student requires 2600 calories for maintenance. High School students need 2400 calories for a sedentary lifestyle and 3200 for an active lifestyle. Students that are not receiving caloric supplement outside of school lunches are falling dramatically below their recommended daily caloric intake.

In the quest to eliminate childhood obesity, local demographics were not taken into account and the impact is being felt in Jefferson County Schools. Local schools are not alone in this situation and the impact has been tremendous across the Nation. Jamie Johnson, Director of Student Nutrition for Jefferson County Schools, has been working throughout the school year to balance the new USDA guidelines with student needs. Some of the new requirements, such as offering fruit and vegetables, were already offered in Jefferson County Schools. Limiting factors, such as grain requirements, have made finding taste friendly food a challenge. Johnson stated that Jefferson County Schools were nutritionally sound before the new guidelines were instigated by USDA. Some restrictions have been lifted for the next school year and Johnson hopes that the easing of guidelines will help attract students back into the cafeteria line. According to Rhonda Henderson, Financial Assistant for the Office of Student Nutrition Jefferson County Schools, there has been a 10% decrease in student lunches during the current school year. The Food Services Department is funded by a combination of Federal, State and student funds and has been self sustaining. During the current school year, the decline in sales of student lunches has been felt in free and reduced lunches as well as those that pay full price. If students decline to receive the lunch that is provided, then the school system is not funded for that lunch. Henderson said that there has been an impact in excess of $140,000 due to students electing to pass on school provided lunches. If the trend continues, the financial repercussions could be great. The shortage of funds trickles down to cafeteria workers and even students. Adding the new Mount Horeb Elementary School required the need for more personnel in a year that lunch sales declined, making for a bleak financial picture. The 2013-2014 school year will also see the freshman academy come online and put further financial strain on the Food Services Department. Beyond the concern for the County coffers, Johnson stated that she is concerned about the working poor in the County that do no qualify for financial assistance. The cost of sending lunch to school could heavily impact family finances for borderline families.

The First Lady and USDA have come under fire for the unpalatable changes and more may be on the horizon, as sodium content of foods moves into the spotlight. Tennessee, who ranks high in childhood obesity, began seeing a drop in childhood obesity numbers well before the new guidelines were instigated. While sound nutrition is certainly a priority in school lunches, department heads such as Johnson are left struggling to balance taste and federal guidelines. Education experts are calling for a return to consistent recess periods, as a method of fighting childhood obesity. One hour of activity per day increases the recommended caloric intake by 400 calories. Even moderated activity for 30 minutes per day allows for a 200 count calorie increase. Johnson will be meeting with cafeteria managers to determine which foods receive a better response from students in a continued effort to make next year’s lunches more student friendly.