Healthy Hunger Free Act - Taking a Bite out of School Lunch Programs



HHFKA 2010

Implementation of the new phase of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act has had a tremendous impact on food service operations throughout New Jersey and the rest of the country.  While the measures are geared at improving childhood nutrition the guidelines pose serious impediments to the overall health of the program forcing many districts to contemplate leaving the Federal School Lunch program due to the sharp decline in participation.

At a recent presentation given at the Union County Association of School Business Officials (UCASBO)  meeting, a Food Service Management Company spokesperson state the prohibited items covered under the act that could no longer be vended contributed, on average, 200% of the surplus generated by any cafeteria.  Those item included such staples as Snapple, fresh baked cookies, pretzels and bagels.

Why are districts like our reluctant to leave the National School Lunch Program.  Like Summit many districts receive substantial funding from Federal and State reimbursement for their participation in the program.  For Summit that amount is approximately $300,000 per year.  That is over 20% of the cafeteria’s revenue.  $246,000 of that amount was to subsidize the meals for free and reduced-price students.

Like many districts across the country, we are working on assessing the impact on September sales, as well as watching trends to see if student acceptance increases.  So far, the results have had a devastating impact on the sale of certain food items, such as pizza and deli sandwiches, as well as a significant impact on a la carte sales.  Most importantly, a al carte sales enable many districts to offset increased costs of wholesome meals thus allow the district to maintain lower prices for those meals.    Furthermore, the decision to stay or go from the National School Lunch Program in New Jersey is dictated by NJ Administrative Code 2:36-1.6.  This code requires a district with more than 5% needy to adhere to the USDA guidelines for designing a meal. 

Of recent, the National School Boards Association released a statement of support of reconsideration of the rules by the USDA.


National School Boards Association Issues Press Release Calling for Flexibility with Regard to School Meals
The National School Boards Association has issued a press release calling for flexibility and relief from the U.S. Congress and USDA to address the unintended consequences of onerous requirements for federal school meal programs in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.