Oct 19, 2011Senate passes amendment protecting potatoes in lunch programs
On October 18, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan amendment co-authored by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) to the Fiscal Year 2012 Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill that would protect the flexibility of schools to serve healthy vegetables in the National School lunch and breakfast programs.
The amendment prevents the U.S. Department of Agriculture from moving forward with a proposed rule that would limit servings of a certain category of vegetables that includes white potatoes, green peas, lima beans and corn to a total of one-cup per week in the National School Lunch Program. The proposed rule would also ban this category of vegetable from the School Breakfast Program altogether.
John Keeling, executive vice-president and CEO of the National Potato Council, issued this statement following the Senate’s action.
“Since publishing its proposed school meal changes in January, USDA has heard from tens of thousands of school districts, parents and taxpayers who are concerned about limiting healthy vegetable options for students, and the $6.8 billion price tag of the regulation.
“The National Potato Council was pleased to support Senators Collins and Udall, who led a broad bipartisan effort to encourage USDA to revisit its proposal and remove vegetable serving limits from its school meal programs. Senators Collins and Udall provided vital leadership in calling attention to the nutritional and economic value of potatoes and other vegetables, as well as the positive role that potatoes play in the delivery of nutrients of concern to children.
“With this afternoon’s Senate action, we trust USDA will heed the significant concerns raised by schools, citizens and elected representatives alike, and maintain the flexibility local schools need to deliver healthy meal options to school children.”
