6/22/04 -- Senate legislation to reauthorize the school lunch program reflects NSBA's recommendations on the income verification process and competitive foods.
The Child Nutrition Improvement and Integrity Act (H.R.3873) passed by the House of Representatives in March is also in line with NSBA's positions on those issues.
In approving its version of Child Nutrition Act (S.2507) May 19, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry retained the provision in the current law that calls for school districts to audit the income of 3 percent of children receiving free or reduced-price lunches to verify their family's financial eligibility.
However, the bill also would require school food officials to conduct target audits of applications in more error-prone areas, rather than using random samples. This provision is likely to result in more audits conducted in larger school systems.
NSBA was concerned about earlier legislative drafts -- supported by the Bush Administration -- that would have increased the percentage of applications for free and reduced-price school meals that must be audited, possibly to as much as 12 percent or even 100 percent.
"Altering the income verification process could have widespread unintended consequences on children and school districts," says Deborah Rigsby, NSBA's director of federal legislation. "NSBA is concerned that the audits could have had the unfortunate consequence of reducing the number of eligible children receiving free and reduced-price school meals."
In addition to the impact on children, changes in the auditing process also could reduce the amount of federal funding districts receive for other programs.
That's because federal funding for Title I, the e-rate, and other programs are tied to the number of students in a district eligible for free and reduced-price school meals.
Expanding the audit process also would result in higher implementation costs for school districts.
The Senate committee rejected an amendment by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to restrict the sale of "competitive foods" in schools, although the amendment might be offered again on the Senate floor.
"Competitive foods" refers to any foods sold or made available at school -- such as snacks sold in vending machines or during school activities -- that are not provided through the school meal programs.
NSBA opposes any restrictions on competitive foods. NSBA believes local school districts should have the right to make decisions about competitive foods and school-business relationships.
Those who favor restrictions on competitive foods are responding to reports about the childhood obesity crisis, but NSBA believes that restricting such foods at school will not have much of an impact on obesity rates.
Only about 12 to 25 percent of the food consumed annually by children is consumed at school. Eliminating less-nutritious items from schools will not stop children from purchasing such items elsewhere or bringing them from home.
"Many elements contribute to children's diet and exercise decisions," states an NSBA position paper. "Parents, communities, health professionals, food manufacturers, the prepared food industry, the television industry, and schools all bear responsibility and should work to model and encourage healthy eating habits and lifestyles. But ultimately, much of the responsibility remains with parents, and their nutrition and exercise habits."
NSBA also notes that some school districts derive important revenue from their business relationships associated with selling food in schools, and districts should be allowed to continue with these arrangements.