New school regs put kibosh on holiday meals

Nov. 7—Hamilton County (Tenn.) Schools will no longer invite family and community members to school cafeterias for holiday meals.

The change appears to be an unintended consequence of new rules in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which requires school lunches to meet strict daily and weekly guidelines on calories, fats, grains and meats. The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates all school breakfast and lunch services that participate in federal free and reduced-price lunch programs.

A favorite tradition at many elementary schools, the holiday meals will only be offered to teachers and students as the school system seeks to stay in compliance with the new federal meal regulations.