State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Applauds
New Nutrition Standards for School Lunches
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today congratulated First Lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for making fresh fruits and vegetables the focus of the first major changes (Outside Source) to school meals in more than 15 years.
"These new standards will help put more fresh fruits and vegetables in school lunches, which means healthier children in our classrooms," Torlakson said. "Our Team California for Healthy Kids campaign is all about making the healthy choice the easy choice for students and families, and these new standards will help us achieve that goal.
"I applaud the First Lady for championing the cause of improving the health of our children. The California Department of Education will work closely with school districts as they make these improvements, and we’ll continue to urge that additional funds be provided to make these standards a reality in our schools."
More than 500 school sites in California already are well on their way to putting these new healthy choices into operation by improving both student nutrition and food quality.
Based on training that CDE began last year, many district child nutrition directors are working together to develop operational and financial management strategies that are crucial to support the new meal standards.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
