New guidelines call on schools to upgrade food options

BOISE — The State Board of Education has issued new guidelines to encourage healthier eating habits and increase the emphasis on nutrition in school districts.

The Action for Healthy Kids Idaho Chapter developed the program after a national effort led by first lady Laura Bush during the 2002 Healthy School Summit.

“Students are aware of nutritional standards,” said Pauline King, superintendent of the Payette Joint School District. “I hope they’re making positive choices.”

Idaho organized its summit last fall, with about 120 experts from Idaho universities, health departments and nutrition centers met for the October 2003 summit. Nutrition guidelines and recommendations were sent to school districts after the state board endorsed the coalition’s guidelines on April 23.

The recommendations outline policies to ensure food and beverages available at schools contribute to developing healthy eating patterns.

Kim Huntley, director of school nutrition in the Meridian Joint School District, helped recommend ways to create a healthier school setting. Possibilities included replacing snacks and beverages in vending machines with healthier options and changing lunch menus and a la carte offerings.

She said about 95 percent of statewide school districts do not have nutrition-oriented policies in place.

She said Meridian District is on the way toward complying with these state-issued standards.

“There are always changes that could be made but I think, compared to some districts, they are ahead,” she said.

“I think districts right now are starting to create policies that will go into the next school year,” Huntley said. “They may not be exact with the recommendations, but it’s a small step.”

The Payette district last year initiated nutrition breaks in the morning for students to purchase breakfast or what King called “healthy snacks.”

“We’re always looking for innovative ways to provide a healthy snack for students, especially around testing times, realizing that may have a positive effect on students’ academic learning,” King said.

She said the district is looking at nutritional awareness programs, and began serving lunch in the parks during the summer months to get students outside during their breaks.

The campaign doesn’t only target what the school is serving for breakfast or lunch, but aims to put healthier snacks in vending machines. Huntley said a main concern about the state directive involves revenue brought in from vending machines, especially with districts’ budget crunch.

“We’re looking to ask parents for fees to play sports and activities. Most vending machine money goes to those programs, and people don’t want to lose money for those programs,” she said.