Grain, protein maximums permanently lifted from school meal regs

Jan.2—The USDA has permanently lifted the part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that set maximums for the amount of grains and proteins schools could serve at lunch. The rule will be published Jan. 3 in the Federal Register.

The rule was lifted after complaints from operators who said they couldn't menu certain items, such as sandwiches, because it put them over the maximums. Others cited hunger as a side effect of the stipulation. 

"School Nutrition Association members are pleased that USDA has provided this permanent fix, acknowledging the need for greater flexibility in planning well balanced school meals,” said SNA President Leah Schmidt, SNS.  “With school nutrition professionals already planning menus and inventory for the 2014-15 school year, eliminating the grain and protein limits is a key step to providing healthy menus that appeal to students.”