Bill Owens

Related Documents School Lunch Letter

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Plattsburgh, Dec 10 -

In response to pressure from school administrators and elected officials concerned over calorie limits on school lunches, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday that his Department will eliminate daily and weekly limits on grains and meat.  Congressman Owens wrote to USDA earlier this year asking that the Department revisit regulations on calorie limits for school lunches, and applauded USDA’s reconsideration of the issue.

“USDA set guidelines for school lunches that just didn’t work for many students, parents and school administrators,” said Owens.   “It is my hope that eliminating the limit on grains and meat will give school districts the flexibility they need to provide school lunches that are both healthy and sufficient.  However, I will look to local administrators for guidance to determine if additional changes are required.”

Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, USDA was given greater authority to set standards for school lunches to ensure a high-quality meal for students.  However, they issued regulations setting calorie limits that many school administrators complained were overly strict and left many students hungry.  After hearing from school officials on the issue, Congressman Owens took those concerns to Secretary Vilsack, urging him in a letter to review the calorie limit and consider concerns laid out by school districts, parents and students.

A copy of Congressman Owens’ letter to Secretary Vilsack is available here.