For the first time in more than 15 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new standards for school meals, including beverages. The new federal nutrition standards for school meals went into effect in July. Originally unveiled in January by First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the healthier meal requirements are a part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.
“Improving the quality of the school meals is a critical step in building a healthy future for our kids,” Vilsack said in a statement. “When it comes to our children, we must do everything possible to provide them the nutrition they need to be healthy, active and ready to face the future — today we take an important step toward that goal.”