Wichita Public Schools (KS) School Nutrition Program Hosts Senator Pat Roberts

2019-05-02

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Pat Roberts returned to his home state to visit Wichita Public Schools and the Nutrition Services Department of Kansas. He toured the district’s food production center and received an overview of foodservice operations, then traveled to Brooks Magnet Middle School where he had a “simple outstanding lunch” with students. Senator Roberts also met with district leadership such as the Nutrition Services director and Superintendent for Wichita Public Schools.

This Cafeteria visit takes place just a few weeks after the first congressional hearing on Child Nutrition Program Reauthorization held by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. Senator Roberts is currently working on a Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill; very little information about the bill is available, but Senator Roberts stated that he would like to “simplify regulations” and work alongside Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to accomplish this goal of providing flexibilities to schools. Senator Roberts referred to flexibility as being a “number one issue”; noting that “we trust our local people; they know best.”

A video of the Senator’s visit is also available on Twitter. If you are interested in having a Representative or Senator visit your cafeteria, be sure to check out Cafeteria Visits 101 for details and information on how to plan!