Results for: School Nutrition

Delaine Eastin, a pioneering figure in education and the first woman to hold the position of California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, has passed away at the age of 76. Eastin’s tenure marked a significant era, overseeing millions of students in the state’s vast education system. Her legacy includes championing early childhood education, school nutrition, and recognizing educators through prestigious teacher of the year awards. As a trailblazer in both education and politics, Eastin’s unwavering dedication to fostering student success and her resolute spirit in navigating gender bias continue to inspire.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced new nutrition standards for school meals. The final rule focuses on reducing added sugars and sodium in kids’ meals. Added sugars will be limited to no more than 10% of total calories per week by the 2027 school year. Sodium levels in breakfasts will be reduced by 10% and in lunches by 15% by the 2027-2028 school year. The aim is to improve nutrition and align with U.S. dietary guidelines in the program that provides breakfasts to more than 15 million students and lunches to nearly 30 million students every day.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has withdrawn its plan to restrict flavored milk sales in schools, opting instead to enforce a limit on added sugars starting in 2025. The proposal to ban flavored milk due to its high sugar content was met with resistance from industry groups and parents. In response, the International Dairy Foods Association pledged to reduce added sugar in flavored milk to 10 grams per 8-ounce serving by 2025. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack attributed the policy shift to the industry’s voluntary commitments.