US school lunch salad bar

In a statement released by president and chief executive officer Tom Stenzel, the United Fresh Produce Association has commended the Senate Appropriations Committee for its sensible resolution of debate over the implementation of 2012 school meal regulations.

'Now that a sensible, bipartisan solution has prevailed in the senate, we encourage all players to step back from the debate and come together to better help schools meet these simple fruit and vegetable standards,' said Stenzel.

'We understand why some school leaders have been frustrated,' he continued. 'Foodservice staff in our schools are often the unrecognised heroes who work hard to stretch inadequate dollars, often without adequate facilities and equipment such as salad bars, and still deliver quality meals to kids every day.'

The fresh produce industry stands ready to support the School Nutrition Association and all of its members in implementing the fruit and vegetable requirements, he confirmed.

'Serving one-half cup of fruits and vegetables, in ways that kids love and eat, is one goal that we can accomplish together. We commit to providing school foodservice directors with technical assistance, training in produce procurement and handling, and sharing best practices of what’s working in thousands of schools across the country.'

When making its consideration next week, United Fresh called on the full House Appropriations Committee, on a bipartisan basis, to strike the blanket variances allowing schools to opt out of all nutrition standards, which was passed this week by the Agriculture Subcommittee.

'USDA’s actions this week to address technical issues in the rules, and the Senate’s action today to support flexibility where it’s really needed, give relief to assist schools without rolling back the very basic principle that school meals need to include at least a half-cup of fruits and vegetables,' Stenzel noted. 'Let’s put this debate behind us, and get on with accomplishing our goal of helping kids learn to make healthy choices for a lifetime.'

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