Now they're going to F with school lunches????

[LibraLiz1973]

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/610

It starts out to be about the vouchers (which we saw coming) but then goes on to introduce this gem:

"The bill repeals a specified rule that established certain nutrition standards for the national school lunch and breakfast programs. (In general, the rule requires schools to increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat free milk in school meals; reduce the levels of sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat in school meals; and meet children's nutritional needs within their caloric requirements.)"

Am I reading this correctly? Are they going to "repeal" specified rules concerning nutrition standards? American school lunches are already a joke. They took the phenomenal lunchroom staff and turned them into microwaving machines. Ketchup is classified as a vegetable. It's an absolute joke. When you think about just how many children rely on the school lunch program as their only source of daily food, this is sickening.

It's worth checking out this Livestrong piece about the effects of unhealthy lunches.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/351827-the-effects-of-children-eating-unhealthy-school-lunches/

[Sherman A1]

1. The are going to "F" with

everything, to grab as many $'s as they can for themselves.

[Hortensis]

32. Pretty much. It's about deregulation and profits.

Deregulation for those who make that their religion, increasing profits for those who make that their religion, and a double win for the large numbers who worship both.

It's not some evil conspiracy to destroy America's "masses" by evil obesity plots. It's just the usual that the Republican establishment has been campaigning on for decades now.

We're "getting off the backs of business." The mantra of 40 years of whomped-up anti-government fervor lives.

Conservatives are finally getting what they fought for. But will they like it?

[Fast Walker 52]

50. yep...

[redwitch]

2. Wow. They don't even want America's children to have healthy lunches.

These people suck.

[benfranklin1776]

15. Indeed they are evil

But they masquerade as alleged Christians. They would do well to read the source material where Jesus says "It would be better a millstone be hung around their neck and cast into the sea then for them to offend one of these little ones."
But they use Christianity as they use their base of supporters: as tools to achieve their ends which are solely about the acquisition of mammon.
I am sure though they like the idea of children's health and brains ruined by the swill their agricrook corporadoes will sell to the schools paid for by our tax dollars. In their view an unthinking populace is the goal so they will be conditioned better to accept despotic fascism and will embrace their economic future as Wal Mart greeters or having the privilege of dying early and painfully in unsafe mines and factories.

[Chasstev365]

18. No; they only want SOME children to have healthy lunches

Pure Evil!

[Dulcinea]

26. They don't care about public schools or public school kids.

The children of the poor and working classes are just cannon fodder for the endless wars that enrich defense contractors.

WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.

[Bucky]

3. What?! Fruits AND vegetables? WHOLE grains?!

How can we make America great again if we keep on spoiling our kids like this? This ain't the Taj Mahal, you know.

[Kittycow]

4. Prolife ! Prolife !

[Amimnoch]

19. exactly.

more concern about the welfare of a group of cells than living children.

[Sherman A1]

63. Well Said!

[HoneyBadger]

5. To paraphrase

Make school lunches great again?

My personal thoughts are that making lunches healthier vs making them provide nutrition as the only meal of the day, are exclusive. If it is your only meal, low fat is not what you want. As the only meal, you want to pack as many calories and protein in that lunch as you can.

Vs making them healthier assumes that kids are receiving 2 other well balanced meals that day, and that they need to moderate their intake at lunch.

Ultimately you need to provide very different meals for kids in different situations.

My experience has been at schools where parents provide 1-2 classroom snacks a day. Which is generally garbage, more for enjoyment than serving either purpose (health vs supplementing the one meal of the day). It seems conflicted.

[Dorian Gray]

8. I don't think Fat

should be something they should look out for, though trans fats should be avoided as much as possible. A lunch with Guacamole or other high fat foods could be healthy for kids. I'd be happy with a mexican hamburger with Guacamole and cheese on a whole grain bun. And some Salsa and a salad on the side. Even sweet potato fries.

Make it high fat and high protein. But add veggies and fruit. And make healthy substitutions as much as possible. (Whole grain bun. Grass fed beef... or Turkey. Baked fries or sweet potato.) Add cut up veggies (peppers/carrots/celery/etc.) and an apple or berries.

[HoneyBadger]

53. Hard boiled eggs, peanut butter, soy milk, kale, salmon

That is my lunch and dinner today. And what I would love for kids to eat every day.

Eggs are THE perfect food for a kid.

Dairy is no good for you. Fruit is not much better. Carbs are like murder.

High protein, high fat (good fat), minimal processing is the way to go.

[TransitJohn]

68. That sounds really unappetizing

I can't imagine what a 6 year old would think of it.

[Progressive dog]

43. I would defer to the science on what children should eat.

The percentage of overweight and obese children in the US has been on the rise for decades. Higher calorie meals won't help.

[HoneyBadger]

46. The starving kids that count on school lunch for their single meal a day are not the overweight prob

[Progressive dog]

54. Starving kids?

If you actually know of "starving kids", you should report their guardians to the police. Letting children starve would be a crime in most states. Schools can't protect children from criminals.

[HoneyBadger]

55. School lunch is the only meal of the day

One of the parents in my elementary school is a retired senior. He had his first kid in his teens, and had to starve so that they could get one meal. He is on his 4th family at this point, and no longer starving, but there are still many in the same circumstances.


http://www.gothamgazette.com/government/5781-what-meals-should-city-schools-provide-and-when


It is is the main reason that NYC rarely has school days. A snow day means a lot of kids do not eat a thing that day.

[Progressive dog]

56. "Starving kids" anecdotes

from decades ago are not data or facts. Saving a few bucks on school meals should not be a reason for promoting an alternative reality.

[HoneyBadger]

57. Still true in 2014 per the chancellor of the largest school system in America

....she said, comes down to the fact that if schools are closed, many children don't eat.....

"Many of our kids don't get a hot lunch and, in many cases breakfast, unless they go to school."


http://www.businessinsider.com/why-nyc-doesnt-cancel-school-in-snow-2014-2

[Progressive dog]

59. What is in school lunches has

nothing to do with parents who deliberately starve their kids.

[Dorian Gray]

6. It shouldn't be super shocking

there were constant articles about people complaining about Michele Obama's school lunch health initiatives.

It's ridiculous.

[Arkansas Granny]

9. And, there it is. Healthy school lunches are associated with the name of Obama,

so, therefore they must go away.

I could not understand the attitude of parents who were so incensed about their children being offered a healthy school lunch, but there was a terrible outcry about Michelle Obama’s efforts to do just that.

[Dorian Gray]

10. Exactly

when the health of our children and school lunches become politicized, you know it's about polarizing our community.

It's possible to provide healthy options and still keep kids well fed.

[safeinOhio]

7. Please Sir......

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. Several years back I had a temp job in a local middle school.

Something like 90% of the students were eligible for free lunches, and it occurred to me that in public schools ALL children -- including the teachers and staff -- should get free lunches. And breakfasts. We shouldn't be focussed on the students who need such things, but on all students, and how free breakfasts and lunches benefit everyone.

[DeminPennswoods]

17. This can and does happen

It's a relatively new thing after being prototyped in a few places for a couple years, but there's something called "community eligibility" where if 40% or more of the community the school serves is on SNAP or free lunch program, then every child in the district gets free meals, both breakfast and lunch.

As for the healthy meals, the problem is the kids don't like it and, reportedly, a lot of the food is going to waste. There's probably a happy medium somewhere, but I don't know what it might be.

[HoneyBadger]

38. In NYC every kid gets free breakfast

From what I have seen, as much as they want though they are required to take a minimum even if they do not intend to consume all of it. Every kid, meaning the typical younger siblings also get breakfast. Older siblings probably also, though they are too cool for school (lunch that is).

[DeminPennswoods]

60. I'll never get why people are against kids being fed

at school. It's been shown hungry students are poorer performing students. There is so much food thrown away everyday in the US, there is NO excuse for anyone to go hungry in this country,

[simguy225]

69. They are against

"other" kids being fed. That "other" can be skin color or income level.

[DeminPennswoods]

70. Oh, I know, but it's such a small investment

And these kids who can't succeed end up costing plenty more in the long run if they turn to drugs or crime what with the cost of trials, prison and/or treatment and there are many more collateral consequences.

[simguy225]

73. I fully agree.

It's just pure mean spiritedness on their part.

[gordianot]

12. Make no mistake they are gutting all they can as fast as they can from education.

Special Education and 40 years of meager progress is on the chopping block. Hungry kids at school tighten your belt. Trump and company are a symptom of the real failure of American education.

[Fritz Walter]

13. And bring back vending machines, while you're at it

Do you think the Big Agra lobby (producers of high-fructose-corn-syrup) might have something to do with this?

[LenaBaby61]

14. Isn't Betsy DeVos ....

Invested in some company that makes children's school lunches?

I believe I read that or heard that someplace.

IF so and I heard/read correctly, she and her buddies will have everything sewn up as it relates to making money off of the school educational system in this country. Nourishment of the mind and body (food programs), souls (Religion), student loan debt program (indebted to big government for LIFE).

I mean, It's bad enough that she's invested in a $ 1 TRILLION dollar private student loan program, but for her to be involved somehow in making money off of a privatized student lunch program also?

tRumputin and his band of deplorables would somehow be able to make money even if they were in comas.

[meadowlander]

71. She's invested in a crank company

that treats kids with ADHD with recommendations on nutrition. I think Rachel Maddow talked about it a few episodes ago.

[mn9driver]

16. Anything that was touched by President or First Lady Obama must be destroyed.

Really. The GOP consists mostly of hopelessly brainwashed and deeply racist assholes.

[handmade34]

20. hate on the Obamas and punish the poor

a big FU to science and everyman for himself...

I have spent the past 12+ years as part of this study... most likely Republicans will soon enough defund any research


https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ops/NHANES-NSLP05-10.pdf

Children who participated in the NSLP generally made more healthful food choices at lunch than those that did not participate. This was especially true for children who were income-eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Thus, the NSLP is an important source of nutrition for children overall and particularly for children from lower-income families.  

For all school children, the issues of greatest concern are related to excessive consumption of empty calories, saturated fat, and sodium, and inadequate intakes of specific types of nutrient-dense foods, including whole grains and dark green and orange vegetables and legumes. Decreased intakes of foods that contribute empty calories would improve the overall quality of school children’s diet. This is also essential for reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population. 

[sinkingfeeling]

21. They want to 'repeal' Michelle Obama's work just because

her last name is Obama.

[Vinca]

22. Apparently kids "need their freedoms."

Freedom to eat the wrong things and develop obesity, heart disease, diabetes, etc. WTF is wrong with Republicans? Satan was not involved in mandating healthier school lunches.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

23. Obviously a snub to Michelle Obama

Need to prove to us that some uppity progressive woman won't tell schoolchildren how to eat more healthy!

[Orrex]

30. I think that's it exactly.

Bigoted Republicans (but I repeat myself) won't be happy until every piece of the Obama legacy is stuffed into the memory hole.

[CurtEastPoint]

24. Again, France leads the way w/school lunches.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-14845/what-french-kids-eat-for-school-lunch-it-puts-americans-to-shame.html

[Nay]

48. Unfortunately, the insane amount of cheap crap industrial food in the US has caused

a great many people, especially children, to develop an appetite based on those artificial, overly salted/sugared/fatty foods. A meal like the ones in France wouldn't appeal to them in the least -- they weren't brought up on those flavors -- they were brought up on Eggos, Big Macs, boxed mac n cheese, fruit strips, squeeze yogurt, etc. You'd be amazed at the trouble I have getting my grandson to eat normally-prepared food. He's getting better, but I'm definitely going against the tide.

[CurtEastPoint]

61. I agree. It is awful that the richest, most powerful nation on earth pushes this shit.

[Nay]

72. Anything for a buck, here in Amurika. Even if it means 2 generations of sick

people. Look at what happened when Michelle Obama talked about healthy food -- you'd have thought she was pushing heroin. The outcry! "I'll feed my kids cookies if I want to, and you can't stop me!!!" and all that shit. The nice thing about France is that the kids are not allowed to bring lunch from home. They are to learn to eat what is put in front of them, and that's it. Here? It's a crime to give the kids water instead of soda.

[milestogo]

25. Give em all Big Macs with a large coke and a side of large fries.

Never too soon to start your tooth decay and heart disease.

[logosoco]

27. Only children would write a bill that said they didn't have to eat fruit and vegetables!

This is an obvious slap in the face to Michelle Obama who was trying to help parents out to make sure their kids had access to healthy foods.

Shameful!!!

[barbtries]

28. it's what they want.

unintelligent, poor people make fabulous fodder for their endless wars.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

29. Feed em KFC

and overcooked Trump steaks.

[Guilded Lilly]

31. Expect the absolute worst from these legislators and they will

Strive to exceed your expectations.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

33. Inequality in the US & other countries is a big and growing problem.

If income and wealth inequality grow much bigger, there will be hell to pay.

[DFW]

34. Makes perfect sense--from a Republican point of view

Less-nourished children make for poor students. Poor students make for more Republicans.

Voilà! Instant survival of the species!

[riversedge]

35. Trump and his vile minons will yell they are fullfilling a promise of reducing regulation-no matter

how good they are for America-its air, land, water, kids. etc






Sponsor: Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-4] (Introduced 01/23/2017)
Committees: House - Education and the Workforce
Latest Action: 01/23/2017 Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. (All Actions)

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/610







H.R.610 - To distribute Federal funds for elementary and secondary education in the form of vouchers for eligible students and to repeal a certain rule relating to nutrition standards in schools.115th Congress (2017-2018) |


Summary (1) Text (1) Actions (2) Titles (3) Amendments (0) Cosponsors (3) Committees (1) Related Bills (0)

Summary: H.R.610 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)
All Bill Information (Except Text)

There is one summary for H.R.610. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.
Shown Here:
Introduced in House (01/23/2017)

Choices in Education Act of 2017

This bill repeals the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and limits the authority of the Department of Education (ED) such that ED is authorized only to award block grants to qualified states.

The bill establishes an education voucher program, through which each state shall distribute block grant funds among local educational agencies (LEAs) based on the number of eligible children within each LEA's geographical area. From these amounts, each LEA shall: (1) distribute a portion of funds to parents who elect to enroll their child in a private school or to home-school their child, and (2) do so in a manner that ensures that such payments will be used for appropriate educational expenses.

To be eligible to receive a block grant, a state must: (1) comply with education voucher program requirements, and (2) make it lawful for parents of an eligible child to elect to enroll their child in any public or private elementary or secondary school in the state or to home-school their child.

No Hungry Kids Act

The bill repeals a specified rule that established certain nutrition standards for the national school lunch and breakfast programs. (In general, the rule requires schools to increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat free milk in school meals; reduce the levels of sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat in school meals; and meet children's nutritional needs within their caloric requirements.)

[alarimer]

36. Republicans are like kids who hate being told to eat their veggies.

And now that they are in charge, they'll make sure no one else has to, either.

They have always seemed like petulant children. Dangerous ones, to be sure. And the most petulant of all sits in the White House.

[greymattermom]

37. If the food is going to waste

What should they do? I've been shocked recently to see what some of my relatives eat, and they are adults. They would throw out fresh fruit and vegetables in favor of pop tarts and such.

[AllaN01Bear]

41. im amaized that they havent been declaired diabetics

[HoneyBadger]

44. Try sending salad and 5# of grapes as school snack sometime

The teacher complains that it takes too long to serve, there is nowhere to refrigerate it, and it is too messy to clean up. Kids get mad. They all want individually wrapped fruit snacks (aka gummy bears) and fruit roll ups (flattened cavity strips), which have almost no value beyond energizing the children. True story.

[AllaN01Bear]

39. the always wanted the social programs gone . not the militrar , oh no not corperate wealfare , oh

no. of course they have nothing new , the cut cut cut . not suprising.

[lark]

40. They are trying to destroy the working class, period, the end.

They have already started to end education with a bill to eliminate the Dept. of Education and leave it up to the states. You know the red states will end public education if there's any way possible to get a more stupid population. Ending school lunches is another way to save more money for the millionaires and billionaires and makes us more stupid. Eliminating a woman's ability to control her reproduction by outlawing birth control pills (as has already been proposed in Congress) and abortion methods makes for a more poor and desperate population. Eliminating affordable health care gets rid of sick workers and eliminating Medicare, Medicaid and SS makes us a lot more sick & a lot younger because people will die more quickly. They want young stupid workers who have no say in their lives because only property owners get to vote and drumpf will have successfully taken us back, all right, back to the middle ages.

[democratisphere]

42. republiCONs dismantle anything that is beneficial to the majority of Americans.

DeVos and drumpf are out to destroy the Public School Systems in this country.

[Initech]

45. And we wonder why the rest of the world is laughing at us.

[Iggo]

47. Tax the poor. It's what they do.

[beachbum bob]

49. elections have consequences....

[Sunlei]

51. "for profit" takes federal funds & wants profit so kids are fed cheapest processed crap.prison food.

[John1956PA]

52. About 1996 Alec Baldwin on Bill Maher's "Politically Correct" mentioned the ketchup/vegetable farce.

I think I still have the VHS tape which I recorded of that show.

[marked50]

58. What is it with Republicans and destroying healthy lunches for children?

Back in the Regan days they tried to call ketchup a vegetable-- "relish" actually-not ketchup according to the wiki article but at the time we all heard it was about ketchup

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketchup_as_a_vegetable

[WinkyDink]

62. One quibble: Ketchup classified as a "vegetable" was an idea born and expired in the '80's.

[AgadorSparticus]

64. Not surprising. I was actually waiting for this. Some jackass from a redstate

Already said kids should be put to work sweeping for their free lunches. These assholes are just vile. It angers me so much that they are this heartless and cruel.

[OregonBlue]

65. Hey, they're poor kids. They're just lucky we give them anything to eat at all.

[HoneyBadger]

66. I found the solution

http://blog.soylent.com/post/148000076992/proudly-made-with-gmos

[MountCleaners]

67. We have to face the facts

This is an across-the-board attack on anyone who might oppose them - which means lower-income people, urban people, etc.

I consider myself a rationalist, but this administration has been so thoroughly disempowering from day one, I think it's clear that they don't simply have a differing opinion - they seek to disempower us so we can't oppose. Perhaps it's because I have been reading a lot about elections and disenfranchisement lately.

Attacking kids' food is just one more way of weakening them. The rich have a vested interest in keeping public school kids unhealthy.

[LibraLiz1973]

74. I agree 100%

Sickening

[Jamaal510]

75. They're probably doing this

because this is what some of the unhealthy food businesses want, and as another way to spite the Obamas when Michelle worked hard to have children eating healthier and become more physically fit.

[Eliot Rosewater]

76. Remember this and it will make it easy for you in the future

The GOP doesnt care about the country or the people.

They care about profits for themselves no matter the harm to others.

[Phoenix61]

77. Well how else are the for profit charter schools supposed to make any money?

gotta cut those corners where you can. Evil bastards.

[JDC]

78. Maybe Trump wants his cut of this "Food Pyramid" scheme

He keeps hearing about

I just can't imagine how making a kid's school lunch less healthy plays into anything other than a further case for insanity.