Iowa school meal bill stalls in committee
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A proposal that would have banned Iowa schools from serving meat and egg substitutes has stalled in a legislative committee, with lawmakers debating the dietary price of the options. Bill sponsor Rep. Jeff Shipley explained he deemed the monthly bill to be mainly about real truth in labeling.
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Source link A bill that seeks to improve public school food options in Iowa was stalled in the House Education Committee this week.
The Healthy Kids School Meal Bill, originally submitted by Representative Amy Nielsen in 2019, seeks to provide healthier food choices for Iowa students. If the bill were to pass, Iowa public schools would be required to update the foods they offer and the portion sizes of meals to align with calorie standards and meet nutrition guidelines outlined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The bill also looks to remove unhealthy foods like fried foods and sugary snacks. Instead, students would be offered more fresh fruits, vegetables, plain yogurt and whole grains. It also requires schools to provide students with at least one breakfast and one lunch meal every day, instead of multiple small snacks, as was previously allowed.
Supporters of the bill argue that providing healthier food options in schools is an essential step towards promoting good health for Iowa children and teens. “It is absolutely essential that we provide our students with the nutritional tools they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom,” said Representative Nielsen.
However, opponents of the bill argue that it may put a strain on public schools, as well as on families, as the healthier option meals are likely to be more costly and less feasible for some households. They also suggest that the changes should be voluntary, as opposed to a mandate, and argue that it may be better to provide education around healthy food options rather than force students to take them.
The bill has been stalled in the House Education Committee, which will revisit the issue in the upcoming 2021 legislative session. Until then, discussions around the Healthy Kids School Meal Bill will remain ongoing.
