The national focus on fighting childhood obesity and hunger in part by offering better cafeteria food is a welcome shift, given the lack of nutritional value in some lunchroom offerings.
But we’re uncomfortable with the amount of federal intrusion into what ought to be a local matter.
Colorado Congressman Jared Polis has introduced a bill that seeks to use federal dollars to pay school districts that offer two-thirds of their students vegetarian and vegan alternatives. We appreciate the Polis effort, especially since it’s voluntary for schools to opt in. But isn’t that something local districts can offer on their own?
A separate measure being pushed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture takes on these issues by boosting funding for better school lunches and addressing nutritional standards for food sold in schools. If the nutritional standards are written so strictly that they would effectively eliminate local control and individual choice, we would be opposed to it.
USDA officials have been unapologetic about the overreach, saying it is necessary to combat a crisis.
Polis’ measure would establish a $4 million pilot program to test vegetarian and vegan alternative menu options over two years. He estimates a fully implemented program would cost $50 million a year. That’s small potatoes by government standards, but still goes beyond their realm.
Schools should continue to work with parents on bettering nutrition offered to students throughout the day and make sure they get some exercise.
