HEALTHY, HUNGER-FREE ACT OF 2010

THE HEALTHY AND HUNGER-FREE KIDS ACT- PLAN OVERVIEW The Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act

(HHFKA) of 2010, a reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, provides funding for federal school meal and child nutrition programs, increases access to healthy food, and promotes overall student wellness. By supporting school and community efforts that provide nutritious meals for children and promote overall wellness, the HHFKA is a major step forward in the fight to end childhood hunger, improve nutrition, and fight our country’s epidemic of obesity.

HEALTHY, HUNGER-FREE KIDS ACT- FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS Q: The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S.

3307) passed the U.S. House of Representatives on December 2, 2010.  When does the new bill go into effect?

  A: The act was signed into law by President

Obama on December 13, 2010. However, some of the details of the new “Public Law” (P.L. 111-296), such as the nutrition standards for competitive foods, will have to be developed and put out for public comment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: The legislation states that schools will receive

an additional 6 cents in meal reimbursement.  When can my school expect to receive this money?

  A: School nutrition programs that comply with the

final updated meal pattern requirements will be eligible to receive an additional 6 cents in meal reimbursement.  The final meal pattern requirements are expected to be released in 2012.  It is anticipated that for those schools meeting compliance, that the 6 cents reimbursement could be realized by School Year 2013-2014.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How will the new standards impact school lunches?

A: Implementing The National Academies’ Institute of Medicine recommendations and raising the quality of school meals will mean significant changes for virtually all schools in the program.  Schools will be required to serve increased portions of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while limiting sodium and calories in the meals.

FAQ’S RELATED TO OUR DISTRICT Q: There is a provision within the legislation that calls for

a mandatory increase in the prices charged for paid meals.   How will this work?

  A: Effective the school year beginning July 1, 2011,

school nutrition programs will be required to move towards charging paid meal category students at a price that is on average equal to the difference between free meal reimbursement and paid meal reimbursement.  Schools that charge less than this amount are required to gradually increase their prices over time until they meet the requirement.  The law establishes a maximum annual increase in the federally required paid increases of 10 cents annually, but schools may choose to increase the price at a higher amount. 

HOW MUCH WILL LUNCHES INCREASE IN DISTRICT 27?Lunches will increase from $1.50 to $1.60 for the 2012-13 school year.

The cost of breakfast will remain the same

SAMPLE MENU CHANGES

VEGETABLE SUBGROUPS Listed below are samples of commonly-eaten vegetables found in each of the required vegetable subgroups. The list in not all-inclusive.

Dark Green Vegetables bok choy broccoli collard greens dark green leafy lettuce kale mesclun mustard greens romaine lettuce spinach turnip greens watercress

BEANS AND PEAS*

black beans black-eyed peas (mature, dry) garbanzo beans (chickpeas) kidney beans lentils navy beans pinto beans soy beans split peas white beans

STARCHY VEGETABLES

cassava corn fresh cowpeas, field peas, or black-eyed peas

(not dry) green bananas green peas green lima beans plantains potatoes taro water chestnuts

RED & ORANGE VEGETABLES

acorn squash butternut squash carrots hubbard squash pumpkin red peppers sweet potatoes tomatoes tomato juice

OTHER VEGETABLES

artichokes asparagus avocado bean sprouts beets Brussels sprouts cabbage cauliflower celery cucumbers

green beans green peppers iceberg (head) lettuce mushrooms okra onions parsnips turnips wax beans zucchini

UNCOMMON VEGETABLE IDENTIFICATION Watercress Mesclun

UNCOMMON VEGETABLE IDENTIFICATION Bok Choy Collard Greens

UNCOMMON VEGETABLE IDENTIFICATION Cassava Cow peas

UNCOMMON VEGETABLE IDENTIFICATION Taro Plantains

UNCOMMON VEGETABLE IDENTIFICATION Hubbard Squash Lentils

UNCOMMON VEGETABLE IDENTIFICATION Eggplant Okra

UNCOMMON VEGETABLE IDENTIFICATION Parsnips Turnips

RESOURCES AND WEBSITES http://www.snaohio.org/index.php?option=co

m_content&view=article&id=25:faq-about-the-healthy-hunger-free-kids-act&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=7

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/cnr_chart.jpg

*For more information on Beans and Peas, refer to: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/vegetables-beans-peas.html