School lunches now have more fruits and vegetables, but a new study shows that doesn't mean that kids are necessarily eating more healthy foods — at least in the short run.
Federal law requires public school students who get school lunches to add a fruit or vegetable to their trays. But no one can force them to actually eat those healthy choices.
Vermont Edition spoke with Sarah Amin, the lead researcher on a University of Vermont study that followed students at two Vermont schools before and after the law was implemented in 2012. Amin says that in many cases kids are taking those apples or carrots and throwing them right into the trash or compost bin. Consumption went down slightly and food waste rose significantly in these schools.
Nonetheless, Amin says she hopes the federal mandate will be renewed. "Consumption decreased, but it decreased by only about 1 teaspoon," says Amin. "So we are fairly optimistic that if these guidelines continue, we can see this consumption level off and hopefully increase, especially with younger children coming into the program."
Congress is set to take up reauthorization of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in September.
