1. The National School Lunch Program and Our Children’s Health
Jenny Pompilio
PHE 510
Public Health & Social Justice

2. Introduction Our Children’s Health
Obesity
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Life expectancy
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Origin
Subpar nutrition standards
Industry ties
Emerging movements
Obesity- >23 Million (1/3) of US children and teens overweight or obese.
- 3 fold increase in childhood obesity btw 1980 & 2000 (?~lax FMNV 1983?).
DM expected to affect 40% children born in 2000.
Life expectancy predicted to drop for first time since the Great Depression.
CAD new study shows children have plaque of 45yo; 100,000 new cases of CAD by 2035 directly attributable to childhood obesity epidemic.
Sources:
1. Bibbins-Domingo K., Coxson P., Pletcher M.J., Lightwood J, & Goldman L. (2007). Adolescent Overweight and Future Adult Coronary Heart Disease. New England Journal of Medicine 357(23):
2. Daniels S. et al Overweight in Children and Adolescents: Pathophysiology, Consequences, Prevention, and Treatment. Circulation 111:
3. Olshansky S.J. et al A Potential Decline in Life Expectancy in the United States in the 21st Century. The New England Journal of Medicine 352(11):
4. Raghuveer, Geetha News Release: Obese kids’ artery plaque similar to middle-aged adults. American Heart Association.
5. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Policy Highlight: Impact of Federal commodity Programs on School meal Nutrition. pp1-3.

3. A.A. Milne
“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said.

4. NSLP History 1946 National School Lunch Act
1966 Child Nutrition Act (Breakfast,
Summer, CACNP)
1980 Dietary Guidelines Americans
1983 Foods Minimal Nutritional Value
2002 Farm Act Fruit/Veggie Pilot
2004 Child Nutrition & WIC
Reauthorization Act
Source:
Ralston K., Newman C., Clauson A., Guthrie J. & Buzby J. July The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues. USDA Economic Research Service Report Number 61. Washington, D.C.

5. NSLP Quick Facts
Mission: “promote the health and well-being of the Nation’s children”
>100, 000 Schools
28 Million lunches/day
5 BILLION lunches/year
94% of ALL schools (avg. 60% participation in NSLP)
Free <130% FPL (49%)
Reduced <185% (10%)
Sources:
1. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Impact of Federal Commodity Programs on School Meal Nutrition.
2. Ralston K., Newman C., Clauson A., Guthrie J. & Buzby J. July The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues. USDA Economic Research Service Report Number 61. Washington, D.C.

6. NSLP participants 48% <10 yrs old Low income children:
2/3 of participants
Equal participation white/blacks/Hispanics
Free lunch ~single female HOH
Low income children are
affected more by obesity…
Ralston K., Newman C., Clauson A., Guthrie J. & Buzby J. July The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues. USDA Economic Research Service Report Number 61. Washington, D.C.

7. NSLP & Participant Nutrition
Food based vs. nutrient based
1/3 RDA energy, iron, protein, CA, Vit. A & C
<1/4 elem. schools meet total fat req. of <30%; <1/3 meet sat. fat req. of <10%*
95% exceed upper limit for Na
Vegetable consumption higher, due to potatoes/french fries
Studies suggest link btw NSLP and overweight (do not “prove!”)
*2005 DGA new fat range 25-35%
& added sugars removed from key messages!
Sources:
1.Meal Wheel from Chef Ann Cooper
2.Ralston K., Newman C., Clauson A., Guthrie J. & Buzby J. July The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues. USDA Economic Research Service Report Number 61. Washington, D.C.
3. RWJF Impact of Federal commodity Programs on School meal Nutrition.

8. NSLP & Industry
USDA 2004: Senior Advisor on Food & Nutrition (NCBA*); Press Secretary (NCBA); CIO (ConAgra)
DGA 2005: Kraft; Mars; American Egg Board;
Sugar Association; NCBA
Kellogg; National Dairy
Board & Council
2008 Sec Ag: corn sweet-
eners; Governor's Biotech
Partnership; fish farms
*National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Of $8 Billion spent on NSLP in 2006, $1 Billion spent on commodities. Although a small % of total agribusiness in US, it is unevenly distributed as evidenced by the inverse pyramid.
Both USDA and DGA advisory committee numerous ties to industry. Eg. DGA 2005 committee included members with direct ties to American Egg Board; the American Cocoa Research Institute; the Sugar Association; the Kellogg Company; National Dairy Council; National Dairy Board; Kraft; NCBA; Mars Inc. USDA 2004 ties included USDA Senior Advisor on Food and Nutrition Elizabeth Johnson (former associate director for food policy at NCBA), and USDA Chief Information Officer Scott Charbo (former president mPower3, a subsidiary of ConAgra Foods)
Sources:
1. Bushgreenwatch.org 2004 a) b)
2. RWJF Impact of Federal Commodity Programs on School Meal Nutrition.
3. USDA search current Sec Ag biography.

9. Cause for Hope National and Local Initiatives
NSLP: Wellness Policy, Fruit & Veggie Program; Geographic Preference
Oregon HB 3601:
DOE & ODA collaborate on Farm to School & School Garden Programs-Centennial Learning Center
HB 3601-legislation pending to increase funding; Centennial Learning Center in Gresham, 70% free/reduced lunch, grant to build a teaching kitchen to help children un-learn “poverty eating.”
DOA representative Cory Screiber, DOE rep Joan Ottinger.
Sources:
Fogel, Greg. July Farm to School Legislation: A state by state listing. Community Food Security Coalition: Washington, D.C.
Long, Cynthia Memo SP : Applying Geographic Preferences in procurements for the Child Nutrition Programs. USDA Food and Nutrition Service: Washington, D.C.
Ralston K., Newman C., Clauson A., Guthrie J. & Buzby J. July The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues. USDA Economic Research Service Report Number 61. Washington, D.C.

10. Conclusions Our children’s health in peril Policy: double-edged sword
Children’s health vs. Agribusiness
Bee the change you want to see in the world!!!

11. Resources National School Lunch Program www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch
Farm to School National Network
Center for Ecoliteracy
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Dietary Guideline for Americans 2010
Slow Food USA Slow Food in Schools
Ecotrust Farm to School