Senate adopts ‘flexible’ nutrition standards for school meals

“I’m proud that Senator Collins and I were able to find a balance that ensures our kids are getting the proper nutrients in their school meals while still allowing schools the flexibility to serve affordable, healthy and local food,” Udall said in a news release after the amendment passed. “As schools budget for food services, we can’t hamstring their ability to create healthful meals for schoolkids using nutritious and popular vegetables. The lessons we should be teaching our kids is that it’s not about any one vegetable; it’s how you cook it.”

Many nutrition advocates were disappointed by the vote. They argue that children need a balanced diet of many different nutrients, and that potatoes crowd out other vegetables because many children think they taste better.

The House has also taken issue with the Department of Agriculture’s regulations: The lower chamber’s Agriculture spending bill requires the department to start over from scratch.