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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 41
BY SENATOR GALLOT
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop tastier
food options for the National School Lunch Program.
WHEREAS, the National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal
program operating in over 100,000 public and nonprofit private schools and residential child
care institutions; and
WHEREAS, the program provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches
to more than thirty-one million children each school day; and
WHEREAS, school districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the
lunch program get cash subsidies and USDA foods for each meal and must serve lunches
that meet federal requirements; and
WHEREAS, in 2010 Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act with the
goal of reducing soaring rates of childhood obesity through new nutrition standards for
schools, including more fruits and vegetables and less meat and grains; and
WHEREAS, since the standards went into effect in the 2011-2012 school year,
participation in the program has declined despite a jump in the number of students receiving
free meals; and
WHEREAS, according to a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report,
local and state authorities told researchers the new standards have resulted in more waste,
higher food costs, challenges with menu planning and difficulties in sourcing products that
meet the federal portion and calorie requirements; and
WHEREAS, a major reason for the problems surrounding the new guidelines is a
growing lack of interest in the lunch program among students who believe that the meals are
not as tasty as the previous offerings; and
WHEREAS, the long-term benefits of the program far outweigh any of the initial
setbacks by improving the school nutrition for millions of children; and SCR NO. 41 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, taste-testing feedback and increased student involvement in menu
planning will enable children to develop an appreciation for finding creative ways to make
menus tastier and healthier; and
WHEREAS, student participation will grow as students develop a taste for fruits and
vegetables and feel involved in the process of their menu selection; and
WHEREAS, farm visits, school gardens, taste tests, cooking competitions and
experiments are also fun ways to educate and excite students about eating healthier foods
in school; and
WHEREAS, improvements to the National School Lunch Program are an important
step in getting communities, school districts and students excited about healthier menu
options.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the United States Department of Agriculture to develop tastier food options
for the National School Lunch Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
United States Department of Agriculture.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES