Salad bar bill introduced

Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, Sam Farr, D-Calif., and Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., have introduced the Salad Bar in Schools Expansion Act, which seeks to establish a new program to provide training, technical assistance and the placement of salad bars in elementary, middle and high schools across the U.S.

This bill comes amid Congress’ ongoing debate about reauthorization of child-nutrition programs, with a final decision to come later this year. The programs aren’t faring well everywhere, as more reports show schools opting out of the school meal program for various reasons, one of the biggest being students not eating the healthier food.

One-third of kids in the U.S. currently are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases, Ryan said in a press release.

“As a parent, I understand the importance of teaching our children how to eat healthier, and it is our responsibility to help reverse this dangerous trend,” he said. “Salad bars have proven to be an effective and affordable way to make school lunch more nutritious.”

The United Fresh Produce Association, the American Heart Association and several other health-focused organizations have endorsed the legislation.

The School Nutrition Association has yet to weigh in.