Persuasive Essay On School Lunches

Introduction and Background

In the last several years, there has been a heated debate over school lunches that are being served in school across the United States. This issues heated up after the election of President Obama in 2008, following which he and his wife, Michelle Obama, approved legislation and campaigns the encourages children to consume healthier foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less unhealthy foods, such as 2% milk and foods containing simple carbohydrates and excess sugar. While these reforms had well-meaning intentions, the restrictions have introduced a one-size fits all system to school system, which is problematic when working with as diverse an age range as five-year-old elementary students to nineteen-year-old high school students. While there are different restrictions based on age, no two children have exactly the same nutritional needs, such as a student who is mostly sedentary compared to one who is exceedingly active. These problems include unappealing lunches, too small portion sizes, and tighter budgets for school systems who are now being forced to provide healthy, more expensive lunches. In addition, these problems become especially concerning for low-income children whose only meal may come from

This bill funds, prominent child nutrition programs such as the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) which are in effect at schools across the United States. In addition to funding these programs, The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 also allows for the formation of new nutritional standards for food sold on school property during operating hours. Furthermore, this act increases resources to school’s to facilitate the transition to healthier meals, that are more nutritious and balanced, while also outlining guidelines for program