Iowa public schools increase efforts to make school lunches healthier.

By Kenyon Ellsworth
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It’s been said an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and schools throughout Iowa and the nation seem to agree.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published a report finding that — although many schools have taken the initiative in supplying students with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and lowering sodium levels — more action is on the way.

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published new standards of nutrition for school lunches. It required lunch programs serve to balanced offerings as well as lower sodium intake over a course of 10 years.

“Schools play a critical role in demonstrating and reinforcing healthy eating behaviors, and children’s eating patterns carry into adulthood,” said Darlene Barnes, USDA Food and Nutrition Service regional administrator. “Because one in three children are overweight or obese, and kids consume half their meals in schools, the healthier meal standards contribute greatly to the current and future health of our children.”

Many Iowa schools have since joined the masses stressing healthier lunches, and Iowa City West High is no exception.

Julie Peterson, the West High cafeteria manager, said the adjustments are visible every day.

“Four years ago we had a lot of new changes,” she said. “Kids can’t leave the line for a reimbursable lunch without a fruit or vegetable. Only à la carte alternatives don’t always include fruit or vegetables, but they still meet the USDA standards.”

Not only that, Peterson said she also saw a shift in student choices.

“I’ve definitely noticed students go for healthier options on their own now,” she said.

However, for one parent, the 10-year plan seems to still have a way to go.

Kaye Eisele, a mother of a recent West High graduate and several children still in public schools, was mildly concerned about fast-food items being offered alongside a daily meal.

“The school lunches seemed healthier than the à la carte items such as pizza and other fast food,” she said. “I would think that since kids gravitate toward pizza most any night of the week or weekend, fast foods such as this should not be offered as lunch-item choices in the schools in Iowa in order to keep choices a little healthier.”

USDA nutrition standards carry over into the fast-food options that many Iowa schools offer.

“Even the pizza we serve is up to regulation. Pizza Hut makes special pizzas for our lunches that contain the required sodium, calorie, and fat ranges,” said Alison Demory, the Iowa City School District Nutrition Service director. “I always say nobody wins when we throw it away. We need to meet our guidelines, but we need to make sure we’re putting out food kids will eat.

“We need to put foods out that kids like and are recognizable to them. Often we look at fast foods that they like and try to offer something similar.”

Demory said schools can expect to see an increase in healthy food choices.

“Sodium is going to be one of those things that we continue to lower,” she said. “The final change is a ways down and a couple years out.”