Fulton County school board members are calling for more time to adjust to new federal regulations requiring healthier school meals.
District leaders say despite efforts to create new menu options that meet both nutritional requirements and the taste expectations of students, suppliers have not been able to keep up with the changes to meet these needs and students are not choosing the school lunch as often.
Participation rates were down 6 percent last year and appear to be down in the early weeks of this school year, according to district leaders. They say more time – up to a year — is needed to allow Fulton to adjust to all requirements of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, according to 2015 legislative and policy priorities. Board members are expected to discuss the issue at a Tuesday meeting.
“We believe additional time is needed to market the change to our students and parents to create a market and an awareness regarding the menu and new approach,” according to district documents.
“Further, while cafeterias are compliant, schools have contracts with vending companies and typically use food as a fundraiser during non-school hours. Time is needed to create and adjust policy and procedure to ensure compliance.”
Fulton joins a number of schools in Georgia and other states that have balked at the new healthy school food standards.
State school board members last month agreed to allow school groups to continue selling fried chicken sandwiches, ice cream, doughnuts and other unhealthy food at fundraisers despite new federal rules against it. Nutrition advocates say that position will not help reduce Georgia’s high childhood obesity rate.
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