[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 117 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         FLEXIBILITY FOR SCHOOLS TO MEET THE DIETARY GUIDELINES

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                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 1995
  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, last year the Congress enacted changes to 
the National School Lunch Program and required schools to meet the 
Dietary Guidelines for Americans under the school lunch and breakfast 
programs.
  Schools were allowed to use nutrient-based menu planning, assisted 
nutrient-based menu planning or a food-based menu system--which was the 
only method of menu planning used under prior law--as long as they met 
the dietary guidelines.
  On Tuesday, June 13, 1995, the Department of Education published 
their final regulation on the School Meal Initiatives for Healthy 
Americans.
  Schools throughout the Nation are concerned about the implementation 
of these final regulations. Of special concern are changes to the food-
based menu system which will add from 10 cents to 17 cents to the cost 
of school meals. The reason for the increased cost is the requirement 
to add additional servings of grains, bread, and fruits and vegetables. 
Even schools currently meeting the dietary guidelines under the 
previous food-based menu plan would have to enact such changes. 
Estimates are that this will add $550 million per year to school 
costs--just for food. The alternative would be to use the nutrient 
standard menu plan, which would require schools to make a significant 
investment in computer hardware and require extensive training and 
technical assistance to implement the new software and procedures 
associated with this plan.
  The legislation introduced today, will continue to require schools to 
meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. However, it will permit 
schools to use any reasonable approach to meet the dietary guidelines, 
including nutrient-based menu planning, assisted nutrient-based menu 
planning or a food-based menu system contained in the regulations 
issued by the Department. This legislation will neither negate or 
postpone the requirement that schools implement the Dietary Guidelines 
for Americans as currently required by law.
  This is sound policy and reflects my support for providing students 
with healthy meals which both meet the dietary guidelines and which 
provide schools broad flexibility in designing menus which appeal to 
students.


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