Changes of Breakfast and Lunch School Program
What is so important to change the breakfast and lunch school from what we have? It is important as parents are very concern about what their children have at school for breakfast and lunch. This topic is become sensitive and brought it up to majority by the First Lady, Michelle Obama at Parklawn Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia as she claimed that she was worried about the food at school as she tried to prepare healthy food for her children (Nixon, 2012.) Moreover changing the breakfast and lunch program can come from many reasons: economic, population, and benefits.
In this economy hard time, parents who never have any problem about putting money in pocket might find themselves struggling with financial problem. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, unemployment has steadily risen and reaching 6.7% in November 2008 and also food and energy prices have increased dramatically throughout. As the bad economic continue the more unemployment will grow larger. Due to financial situation, parents are more apply for the breakfast and lunch program. As reported over the last five years the rates have increased annually by 2.5% to 4.1% (Siegel, 2010) and the higher the student participation rates, the higher the amounts of reimbursement the school receives. As shown in the following picture, there is an increase of free and reducing meals only paid meals are decreased.
Saved by the Lunch Bell: As Economy Sinks, School Nutrition Program Participation Rises., December 2008 by School Nutrition Association In the school, we have variety of children regarding to sex, age, and habit. In each different group needs different diets. Such as boys tend to have more activities so they will need more energy than girls. Also different age groups have different nutritional needs. We should provide nutritious food to meet those specific needs. For Children (1 - 10 years), there is gradual growth on this group and also reflected in gradual increase in
In this economy hard time, parents who never have any problem about putting money in pocket might find themselves struggling with financial problem. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, unemployment has steadily risen and reaching 6.7% in November 2008 and also food and energy prices have increased dramatically throughout. As the bad economic continue the more unemployment will grow larger. Due to financial situation, parents are more apply for the breakfast and lunch program. As reported over the last five years the rates have increased annually by 2.5% to 4.1% (Siegel, 2010) and the higher the student participation rates, the higher the amounts of reimbursement the school receives. As shown in the following picture, there is an increase of free and reducing meals only paid meals are decreased.
Saved by the Lunch Bell: As Economy Sinks, School Nutrition Program Participation Rises., December 2008 by School Nutrition Association In the school, we have variety of children regarding to sex, age, and habit. In each different group needs different diets. Such as boys tend to have more activities so they will need more energy than girls. Also different age groups have different nutritional needs. We should provide nutritious food to meet those specific needs. For Children (1 - 10 years), there is gradual growth on this group and also reflected in gradual increase in
References: Nixon, Ron. (2012, Jan 5). New Rules for School Meals Aim at Reducing Obesity. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/us/politics/new-school-lunch-rules-aimed-at-reducing-obesity.html Nutrition Needs for Specific Groups. (2007, Apr 10). Retrieve from http://www.nyspi.org/jcho/NYSPI/nutritionsrv/clinutrit7.htm Siege, B.E., (2010, Aug 2). USDA School Lunch Reimbursement Rate Increase Lowest in Five Years. The Lunch Tray kids and food, in school and out. Retrieve from http://www.thelunchtray.com/usda-school-lunch-reimbursement-rate-increase-lowest-in-five-years/