5 things: UCLA suspends food donation program

Each Friday I compile a list that highlights five things you probably missed in the news that week and why you should care about them.

Here’s your list for the week of Feb. 26: 

1.    UCLA suspends food donation program

A little while back UCLA started the Bruin Dine program, which allows leftover food in dining halls to be donated to food-insecure students. The program had goals of helping students in need and also reducing waste. The program has been suspended, however, as dining services grapples with how to stay in compliance with food safety regulations. Under the California Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, only food that has not been served can be donated. That means food must be prepackaged and items from places like salad bars cannot be donated. Dining services is working with Bruin Dine to find different ways to donate food to food-insecure students.

Read more: Bruin Dine program suspended after health code violation 

2.    Australian study finds school nutrition policies work

As US schools are trying to find ways to instill proper eating habits in schools without negative consequences like food waste or negative participation rates, it seems schools in Australia have found a way to make it work. An 8-year study looked at what happened when schools started offering heathier items. Schools implemented a traffic-lights system in which foods offered were classified as green (healthy foods), yellow (not-so healthy foods that were limited) and red (items like soda and chips, which were banned from school cafeterias and classrooms). Sixty percent of foods had to meet the green classification. After implementation in 2008, the researchers surveyed 300 people involved in school meal programs and found that the food policies could “positively influence school menus without affecting canteen profits.” “This study found that 85 per cent of respondents believed that the foods offered to school children were healthier after the introduction of the traffic-light food policy for canteens, while 90 per cent felt it offered a valuable opportunity to teach children about healthy eating,” the lead author found. One challenge still remained, however: Only 72% of respondents actually felt school menus were healthier.  

Read more: Curtin University study shows WA school junk-food ban success

3.    NJ could expand free breakfast program

A proposed law would expand breakfast programs in New Jersey schools. The bill would require schools that have at least 70 percent of students eligible for free or reduced price meals to offer a breakfast after the bell program. Other states such as West Virginia have similar measures.

Read more: New Jersey may expand free breakfast program at schools

4. Meat industry complains about college’s Meatless Monday program

Earlier this year the University of Iowa implemented a Meatless Monday program in its dining halls. And the state’s meat industry was none too pleased. Industry members complained to the Iowa Board of Regents about the student-led initiative. The university, however, says meat continues to be served every day, including Mondays. 

Read more: Meatless Iowa? Why Industry Condemnation Might Be the Wrong Approach 

5.  West Virginia delivering meals on buses during strike
A statewide teachers’ strike has left many students in the state without meals. But teachers and foodservice departments are finding ways to help out. That includes Fayette County, where teachers, school staff and volunteers are packing meals that are being delivered to students by school bus. The food came from extra food pallets that had come from disaster relief from FEMA.

Read more: Fayette community members take school bus routes in efforts to deliver meals to students

Bonus: Statewide strike halts in-school feeding programs in West Virginia

Contact Becky Schilling at [email protected] 
Follow her on Twitter: @bschilling_FM