California Endowment poll: Students, parents welcome nutrition changes
CSBA sees ‘ great strides in providing healthier food options’
Published: October 23, 2012
The California Endowment recently released its findings on a poll the organization took to measure California students’ perceptions on the healthy changes to school lunches they have been witnessing since provisions of the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 began taking effect this year.
The results show that students believe school lunches are improving to those who do not by a ratio of 3-to-1. (Even the Kansas parochial school students behind a popular musical parody of the guidelines seem to agree: “We are excited about being offered more healthy fruits and vegetables,” the students clarified in a note on their YouTube video remake of the band Fun’s “We Are Young,” showing students pretending to faint due to lack of food. They maintain, though, that the law’s protein and carbohydrate limitations “are not enough fuel for our average very active student.”)
The Endowment reported that 82 percent of students say they support the school lunch changes, and 91 percent of parents support them as well—as does CSBA.
“CSBA recognizes the critical role that nutritious food plays in improving student health, curbing childhood obesity and enhancing student learning and achievement, especially for students who don’t otherwise have consistent access to healthy food options, said CSBA Policy and Programs Officer Betsy McNeil.
“School districts across California are making great strides in providing healthier food options. This [California Endowment] research shows that many students and parents not only enjoy the changes but support expanding the nutritional offerings. If we commit to a collective approach to work together with students, parents, school staff, school leaders and community members, California will continue its progress in supporting healthier students who are ready to learn.”
CSBA resources
CSBA has an expanding collection of related resources, including:
Subscribers to CSBA’s Policy Services also have access to the related sample policies Free and Reduced-Price Meals, Other Food Sales, and Nutrition Program Compliance, all recently updated.