The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) makes it possible for all school children in the United States to receive a nutritious lunch every school day. The National School Lunch Program provides school children with one-third or more of their Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for key nutrients. These lunches are required to provide no more than 30 percent of calories from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat.
Every school district that participates in the National School Lunch Program was required to enact a local school wellness policy, an opportunity to address obesity and promote healthy eating and physical activity through changes in school environments. No child or family is FORCED to participate in the program to insure the health of their children. Sadly for many children the school lunch is the only meal they can count on.
On November 14, 2014 Rep. Ted Poe of Texas asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives to criticize federal food policies. What he said was quite interesting in light of the fact that millions of children go hungry every night in America:
“Mr. Speaker, the Federal food police now control what American children are permitted to eat in public schools. The First Lady has said, “We just can’t leave it up to the parents.”
Several things are wrong about this totalitarian control of children. Kids say the portions are so small or the food is so disliked they must smuggle food from home or just go hungry. This leads to the Federal Government food being wasted and thrown away at the end of the day.
What is next?
Are the Federal food bureaucrats going to force-feed schoolchildren with government food?
It should not be the role of Washington and the Federal Government to control what children eat. That is the responsibility of parents.
Americans are not stupid and cannot leave it up to the almighty Feds to determine what is best for our kids. The Federal Government should not raise our children because the Federal Government is not the parent of my kids or my grandkids, whether Washington likes it or not.”
Source: Congressional Record
See video: US Children Going Hungry In School Holidays http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCgKb6tqYCg
See video: Children suffer hunger in America – poverty in America/food insecurity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_-hhS5pUZQ
See video: Children in poverty http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt54wOBoeQM
See video: 50,000,000 Americans on food stamps in US http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV2bYwaNCU4
See video; Hunger and poverty in America going unchecked by Congress http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yL8oJJAEDs