California Schools Face Off in Federal Nutrition Standards Competition
Eleven school districts across the state recently competed in a cooking competition to highlight new federal nutrition standards at a California School Nutrition Association annual conference, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Details of Federal Nutrition Standards
The new federal nutrition standards require that schools:
- Eliminate trans fats; and
- Offer more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Last week, the Los Angeles Unified School District adopted a new food policy requiring that its schools buy organic produce and free-range animal products.
Meanwhile, the Oakland Unified School District has begun receiving fresh produce from nearby farms and has launched produce markets on certain campuses to encourage students to buy healthy food for home.
Details of Competition
The teams participating in the competition had 30 minutes to prepare a meal for school children that complies with the new federal standards.
The winners were:
- Antelope Valley Union High School District in first place;
- Anaheim Union High School District in second place; and
- Oakland Unified School District in third place.
Comments
Judi Larsen of the California Endowment -- a not-for-profit health foundation that organized the event -- said that the new nutrition standards are only a "first step." She said the state must think about developing "a more well-rounded approach" to convincing children to eat healthier foods (Castellanos, Los Angeles Times, 11/19). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.