New DC Healthy Schools Act Raises Funding Questions

The D.C. Healthy Schools Act, passed by the Washington, DC, city council in early June, mandates a number of menu changes in the city schools. Among them are requirements to use nonfat instead of whole milk, whole grain instead of white bread and to serve vegetarian meals. It also calls for the purchase of local fresh produce, increases the physical education requirement, mandates the reporting of student Body Mass Indexes (BMIs) to parents and bans all products containing trans fats.

School officials say that while they are in agreement with the goal of the law to promote a healthier school environment, they have concerns about how well the financially strapped district can comply with some of the provisions that will require increased or new expenditures, reports the Washington Times.