FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Diane Pratt-Heavner
703-576-7526
media@schoolnutrition.org
SNA Urges USDA to Restore School Meal Flexibilities
2020-04-15
ARLINGTON, VA – The non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA), representing professionals working on the frontlines to feed needy students, is urging USDA to restore school meal flexibilities vacated by the April 13th federal district court ruling on USDA’s 2018 Final Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements.
In a letter to USDA, SNA emphasized the Court’s findings that the Final Rule was “not inconsistent” with federal statute and that “USDA used its expertise to balance the nutrition science in the Dietary Guidelines with the practical considerations of implementation.” SNA’s letter noted that the Final Rule preserved strong standards for students while addressing menu planning challenges.
SNA also highlighted the urgency of preserving these flexibilities given COVID-19 procurement challenges and the financial impact of closures on school meal programs. “COVID-19 shortages and supply chain disruptions will greatly magnify these challenges for meal programs next school year, making it even more difficult to secure foods that meet highly specialized school nutrition standards.”
In September 2019, SNA filed an amicus curiae brief in support of the school meal flexibilities and USDA’s position in the lawsuit. SNA’s 2020 Position Paper supports preserving the Final Rule. Click here to learn more about the Final Rule.
About School Nutrition Association:
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 school nutrition professionals across the country. Founded in 1946, SNA and its members are dedicated to making healthy school meals and nutrition education available to all students. For more information on school meals, visit www.SchoolNutrition.org/SchoolMeals.
Related Articles
