School Lunches Healthier, Have New Look This Year

ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwire - Sep 11, 2012) - On Thursday, September 13 at 7:00 pm EDT the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the Kids' Safe and Healthful Foods Project, a joint initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will host a live stream webcast to discuss changes to school meals this year, as well as how families can support their kids and their school in making the changes.

The USDA updated nutrition standards for school meals this year are part of a provision in The Healthy-Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. The changes are based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine and begin to take effect this school year. In exchange for improving the meal offerings, schools will receive an additional six cent per meal reimbursement. Some changes include:

• Offerings of both fruits and vegetables every day;
• Increased servings of whole grain-rich foods;
• Providing only fat-free or low-fat milk;
• Limiting calories based on the age of children to ensure proper portion size; and
• Reducing amounts of saturated fat, trans-fats, added sugars and sodium.

Parents can tweet questions live by using #SchoolFoodsRule. They can also follow the conversation on Twitter @NationalPTA.

What: Live Stream Back to School Night to discuss nutritional changes to school meals

Who:
Sam Kass, White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives
Betsy Landers, National PTA President
Jessica Donze Black, Director, Kids' Safe and Healthful Foods Project 
Audrey Rowe, USDA

Where: pta.org/healthierschoolday

When: September 13, 2012 at 7pm EDT; 6pm CDT; 4pm PDT

More Info: PTA.org/healthierschoolday and fns.usda.gov/cnd/healthierschoolday/default.htm.

About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

Alert: Live Stream on September 13, 2012 at 7:00pm EDT

To view this release in a media-rich version, go to: http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2012/national_pta/healthier_school_lunches/