Mar 6, 2020National Potato Council urging participation in public comment on school meals proposal
A proposal to simplify the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs is currently under consideration by officials in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The proposal has drawn support from the National Potato Council (NPC) because it removes restrictions on how often school foodservice officials can serve potatoes. It does not reduce the nutritional requirements of meals, NPC CEO Kam Quarles said.
The USDA is currently accepting public comments on the proposal, and the NPC is urging people to participate. See the NPC’s statement below for more information.
“Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) proposed new regulations that would permanently eliminate undue restrictions on potatoes being offered by school food professionals in the school breakfast program. The comment deadline is fast approaching and USDA needs to hear from you about providing equity for potatoes in this important school program.
“‘For nearly a decade, NPC has been a vocal advocate for lifting scientifically unsound restrictions on potatoes in school meals. We applaud USDA for listening to school foodservice professionals who have sought these flexibilities in serving nutritious meals to their students,’” said RJ Andrus, NPC Vice President of Legislative and Government Affairs.
“The new rules supported by NPC would permanently eliminate restrictions on the access of white potatoes to the school breakfast program. Currently, Obama Administration-era regulations place other ‘underserved’ vegetables ahead of any form of potatoes. The amount of these underserved vegetables required before potatoes can be offered effectively prevents participation in the program. Congress has stepped in through a bipartisan effort to block these limitations the last two years and NPC is encouraging USDA to make that practice permanent.
“Now, we need your help. Please voice your support of this proposal prior to the close of the comment period on March 23.
“Feel free to use or modify the draft letter attached here, and submit it to the reglations.gov comment portal in the comment box or as a .pdf.
“Anti-potato activists are organizing to prevent USDA from issuing these common-sense rules. We need all communities supported by the U.S. potato industry to make their voices heard that local food service professionals should be given the flexibility to serve nutritionally rich potatoes in ways meet the standards established in the school breakfast and lunch programs.”
