As you may be aware Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act?on December 2, 2010.?The bill?was then signed by President Obama on December 13, 2010.?At this point we are now in the 90 day public comment period?which allows?for public comment on the?USDA proposed rule on meal patterns.?? Once the public comment period ends we expect the USDA to begin to issue guidelines on how nutrition programs are to meet the requirements in the legislation. While we know we will be affected by the new bill we are unsure of how and what the timetable will be to implement the new standards.? We do know the new bill will affect menu planning; the cost of full pay meals; reimbursement rates; direct certification; the processing of F&R applications; nutrition guidelines for ala carte sales, vending machines, school stores, and other competitive?foods; and establishing professional standards for school nutrition personnel. As of now everything is speculation as to how the implementation will take place but we will communicate with you as soon as we receive additional information.? You can read more about this on the SNA website via the following links:
Houses Passes Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Blog.aspx?id=14799&blogid=564 USDA Releases Proposed Rule on Meal Pattern http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Blog.aspx?id=14915&blogid=564 The FAQS on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Blog.aspx?id=14867&blogid=622