ICYMI, here's what happened last week at USDA:
For children across the country, the school year is just beginning. That means, back to books, backpacks and homework. And for over 30 million kids, it also means back to healthier school meals.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act has helped raise the nutritional value of the meals our kids eat at school with standards that promote healthy food during their most critical years. Today, more than 95% of schools are successfully meeting standards approved by nutritionists and students alike. A recent study found that kids are now eating 16% more vegetables and 23% more fruit at school – so the standards are working.
And people like them too.According to a new survey released last week by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, 9 out of 10 people living in the U.S. agree that new updated standards are successfully providing children with nutritious meals in school cafeterias. That's good news for kids, and good news for parents who trust that sending their kids to school in the morning means they are getting all the tools they need to be healthy, strong and ready to learn.
We're continuing to share stories throughout the month of August of the many ways USDA works on the ground and with partners to create a healthier next generation of Americans. You can take part on Twitter too using #HealthierNextGen.
