Bill Text: GA SR886 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: U.S Congress/Georgia State Agencies; urged to increase nutritional quality and options provided to students through school meals
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-04-27 - Senate Passed/Adopted [SR886 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-SR886-Enrolled.html
10 LC
94 1827
Senate
Resolution 886
By:
Senators Chance of the 16th, Rogers of the 21st, Douglas of the 17th and Staton
of the 18th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the United States Congress and Georgia state agencies to increase the
nutritional quality and options provided to students through school meals; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
all children are entitled to a healthy school meal each day in compliance with
the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Program; and
WHEREAS,
a disproportionate rise in poor health indicators, including obesity, risk for
heart disease, diagnoses of cancer, and adult onset diabetes, are linked to
diet, and a significant percentage of children who rely on free and
reduced-price school meals are considered at risk for these diet related
degenerative diseases; and
WHEREAS,
recent studies indicate that almost one of three American children are
overweight or obese and are therefore at higher risk of developing these health
problems; and
WHEREAS,
the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Cancer Society, the American
Dietetic Association, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart
Association, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National
Institutes of Health recommend a greater emphasis in the American diet on
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, which contain fiber and essential
nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, are low in fat and calories, and
contain no cholesterol; and
WHEREAS,
according to the USDA's Team Nutrition program, the percentage of children who
eat the minimum daily recommended servings of fruit is less than 15 and
vegetables is only 17, while the percentage of children who eat no fruit in a
given day is 35 percent and no vegetables is 20 percent; and
WHEREAS,
exposure to plant-based entrees in the school cafeteria would positively
influence children; and
WHEREAS,
at the same time, school children who practice a plant-based diet or are from
families who avoid meat or dairy may be at a disadvantage if school lunches are
not offered that meet their personal dietary standards; and
WHEREAS,
the United States Department of Agriculture 1995 School Meals Initiative
suggests that, whenever possible, school lunch programs should offer a selection
of menu items and foods from which pupils may make choices in order to provide
variety and encourage consumption and participation.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body urge the
United States Congress to include plant-based meals and nondairy healthful
beverage alternatives as an option for all students as part of the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Program.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body urge the United States
Congress to require the USDA to make available a greater variety of fresh and
frozen produce, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds through the commodities
program.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body encourage state agencies,
including the Department of Community Health, the Department of Agriculture, the
Department of Education, and the Georgia School Food Services, to develop
nutritionally sound school meal menus that provide optional plant-based meals
and nondairy healthful beverage alternatives in such a way that all students
will be assured nutritionally balanced diets, regardless of food preferences and
avoidances.
