Wyoming’s kids will have healthier school lunches this year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture teamed up with the Institute of Medicine to develop menu standards that are more nutritious. The biggest changes include calorie and sodium limits, more whole-grain foods, more fruits and vegetables, and a ban on trans fats.
Wyoming Department of Education’s Nutrition Program Supervisor, Tamra Jackson, says the changes are positive.
“School lunch gets a bad rep. People think it’s unhealthy. I think this has brought it out for people to talk about and it really is even going in the direction of being more healthy for kids. That’s what we want.”
Jackson says new menus will be more expensive to institute, but the USDA will give schools six more cents per meal once menus are approved.