Back to School, Minus the Deep Fryer

As the new school year begins, many students across the country are returning to healthier schools- as the New York Times put it, the school cafeteria is on a diet.

"Some states and school districts have simply adopted the federal standards for food sales outside the school nutrition program, which critics deride as lax and antiquated. For instance, under the federal guidelines, jelly beans and Popsicles are banned because they have “minimal nutritional value.” But Snickers and Dove bars are not because they contain some nutrients, according to Margo G. Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest..."The national policy is so pathetic that states who follow them should be ashamed of themselves."

The NASBE Center for Safe and Healthy Schools houses the Increasing Healthy Eating Project which focuses on providing research-based capacity building assistance and information to education leaders on helping to establish, maintain and evaluate health school nutrition environments.

I found this point interesting (and a bit sad...) "Parents in Texas lobbied to get a "Safe Cupcake Amendment" added to the state’s nutrition policy. The measure, which passed, ensures that parents may bring frosted treats to schools for celebrations."