Do Minnesota school lunches make the grade? Not according to a recent study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Minnesota and 22 other states received a failing grade for state policies governing food in schools, including vending machines, a la carte lunches, and other food sources.
Minnesota’s official policy follows USDA regulations, which are pretty vague. The USDA, basically, says that “foods of minimal nutritional value” cannot be sold in the lunchroom during mealtime but can be sold anytime anywhere else. The Center for Science in the Public Interest was looking for state food policies that went beyond those basics by setting food and beverage nutrition standards, specifying locations and times of day when regulations apply, and making appropriate modifications for various grade levels. Kentucky earned the highest grade, an A-.
The study, however, failed to consider local regulations, according to Becky Leschner, director of the Minnesota Department of Education’s Food and Nutrition Services and Adult Education Services. Minnesota, as well is many of the other failing states, lets local districts set food policies.
“We’re really proud of the fact that we deal with policy at a local level,” said Leschner.
On July 1, Minnesota enacted a Local Wellness Policy, which addresses food outside of lunchtime and the lunchroom, as well as other wellness areas like education and activities, but still needs parents’ input.
“It takes parents’ involvement to make improvements happen,” said Leschner.
