萝莉网

Last week, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released its 鈥淪trategy Report,鈥� outlining federal initiatives to combat the childhood chronic disease crisis. The report outlines a strategic approach for executive actions to address the childhood chronic disease crisis through 鈥渁dvancing research, realigning incentives, increasing public awareness, and fostering public-private partnerships.鈥� The full text of the report can be accessed . While the report doesn't call for immediate changes for schools or school meal programs, we anticipate action in the future based on the priorities outlined. Here's what we are watching: 

• Dietary Guidelines for Americans 鈥� The Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will release the 2025鈥�2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) 鈥渧ery, very soon鈥� with a stronger emphasis on whole, minimally processed foods, and reduced reliance on ultra-processed foods and added sugars. 
• School, Hospital, and Federal Nutrition Programs - USDA, HHS, Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will expand efforts to improve the nutritional quality of meals served in schools, early childhood settings, hospitals, and veteran care facilities. This includes aligning all federal meal service with the updated DGAs.
• Fitness: HHS and the Department of Education (ED) will partner with the President鈥檚 Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (PCSFN) to help states and schools re-establish the Presidential Fitness Test.
• Ultra-Processed Foods and Labeling - Agencies will work toward a federal definition of 鈥渦ltra-processed food鈥� to inform research and possible future policy.
• Infant and Early Childhood Nutrition - USDA and ACF will expand support for incorporating whole foods into school meals, breakfast/lunch programs, and early childhood settings.
• Public Awareness and Education - USDA, HHS, and ED will launch campaigns such as 鈥淢ake American Schools Healthy Again鈥� to promote healthier eating, increased physical activity, and reduced screen time for children. 

Most notably for district leaders from this report is the anticipated changes in school nutrition guidelines. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) mandated that USDA update school nutrition guidelines to align with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). An update of the DGAs, as outlined in the report, could mean a significant shift in what is required for school food authorities. Additionally, HHS Secretary Kennedy and USDA Secretary Rollins have both publicly called for getting 鈥渦ltra-processed foods鈥� out of school meals. The final federal definition of 鈥渦ltra-processed food鈥� will likely have significant implications for school meal programs as many rely on foods that have been frozen or pre-packaged due to program limitations regarding staff, space and equipment.

The latest update for the school nutrition guidelines, released in 2024, is just now being implemented. Although not perfect, 萝莉网supported the 2024 guidelines as a reasonable compromise that created a path forward. We look forward to working with the Administration to ensure that any future guidelines are reasonable, achievable, affordable and most importantly鈥攔esult in children enjoying the meals they are served.