Bill seeks to repeal USDA caloric limits on student meals

STORM LAKE, Iowa — Iowa Congressman Steve King has reintroduced the "No Hungry Kids Act," in the U.S. House of Representatives. A Storm Lake principal who says that some students in her school are left hungry by strict school lunch regulations, has advocated for changes in the lunch rules - to the point of bringing King in and feeding him a typical school lunch.

"Monday is always the worst," Storm Lake Elementary Principal Juli Kwikkel says of the lunch dilemma. "Often we have kids who haven't eaten much for the weekend. After lunch, they are still going to be hungry."

King agrees. "The Department of Agriculture has released new standards that have left children across the nation hungry during the school day because of calorie rationing," he said.

The "No Hungry Kids Act" would repeal the 2012 USDA rule that created the standards, prohibits the USDA from setting upper caloric limits, and protects the rights of parents to send their children to school with the foods of their choice. King had tried such legislation before, shortly after the new rules took effect in 2012, but the House at that time was not receptive.

"Spring is here - it's that time of year again where kids are outside exercising and playing, but also studying and learning," said King. "I have re-introduced the 'No Hungry Kids Act' to help our students be the best they can be. The USDA has set a calorie limit on school lunches. The goal of the school lunch program was -- and is -- to ensure students receive enough nutrition to be healthy and to learn. The misguided nanny state, as advanced by Michelle Obama's 'Healthy and Hunger Free Kids Act,' was interpreted by Secretary Vilsack to be a directive that, because some kids are overweight, he would put every child on a diet. Parents know that their kids deserve all of the healthy and nutritious food they want."

King said schools should be able to serve students as much nutritious food as they want, "so that our students can grow and learn and excel, in school and out of school -- in the classroom and on the playing field."

In 2012, Kwikkel invited King to the local elementary to share a school lunch with her students, so he could see for himself the frustrations faced by schools. She remains concerned.