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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 41
BY SENATOR GALLOT
FEDERAL PROGRAMS. Requests the United States Department of Agriculture to develop
tastier food options for the National School Lunch Program.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop tastier2
food options for the National School Lunch Program.3
WHEREAS, the National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal4
program operating in over 100,000 public and nonprofit private schools and residential child5
care institutions; and6
WHEREAS, the program provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches7
to more than thirty-one million children each school day; and8
WHEREAS, school districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the9
lunch program get cash subsidies and USDA foods for each meal and must serve lunches10
that meet federal requirements; and11
WHEREAS, in 2010 Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act with the12
goal of reducing soaring rates of childhood obesity through new nutrition standards for13
schools, including more fruits and vegetables and less meat and grains; and14
WHEREAS, since the standards went into effect in the 2011-2012 school year,15
participation in the program has declined despite a jump in the number of students receiving16
free meals; and17
WHEREAS, according to a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report,18 SCR NO. 41
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local and state authorities told researchers the new standards have resulted in more waste,1
higher food costs, challenges with menu planning and difficulties in sourcing products that2
meet the federal portion and calorie requirements; and3
WHEREAS, a major reason for the problems surrounding the new guidelines is a4
growing lack of interest in the lunch program among students who believe that the meals are5
not as tasty as the previous offerings; and6
WHEREAS, the long-term benefits of the program far outweigh any of the initial7
setbacks by improving the school nutrition for millions of children; and8
WHEREAS, taste-testing feedback and increased student involvement in menu9
planning will enable children to develop an appreciation for finding creative ways to make10
menus tastier and healthier; and11
WHEREAS, student participation will grow as students develop a taste for fruits and12
vegetables and feel involved in the process of their menu selection; and13
WHEREAS, farm visits, school gardens, taste tests, cooking competitions and14
experiments are also fun ways to educate and excite students about eating healthier foods15
in school; and16
WHEREAS, improvements to the National School Lunch Program are an important17
step in getting communities, school districts and students excited about healthier menu18
options. 19
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby20
urge and request the United States Department of Agriculture to develop tastier food options21
for the National School Lunch Program. 22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the23
United States Department of Agriculture.24
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Curry Johnson.
DIGEST
Gallot SCR No. 41
Requests the USDA to develop tastier food options for the National School Lunch Program.