Madison (Ala.) schools ahead of schedule with healthy lunches

Schools in Alabama's Madison County are ahead of the game in implmementing new state school l unch requirements that eliminate fried foods and provide daily fruits and vegetables. Jan Waller, acting coordinator for Huntsville City Schools' Child Nutrition Program, said the city district made the changes two years ago.

The state requirements, based on new federal nutritional standards, also include switching to whole grain breads, cutting sodium content and offering salads with romaine lettuce and spinach. Milk will be either 1 percent or fat-free, and all flavored milk must be fat-free. Other beverages will consist of unflavored water and 100 percent fruit juices. The guidelines go into effect this fall.