Draft of California Healthy School Lunch Resolution ACR 16
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
(USDA), and the National Institutes of Health recommend that there be
greater emphasis in the American diet on fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
and legumes with a reduction in consumption of animal foods; and
WHEREAS, Recent studies indicate that more than one-quarter of California
children are overweight or obese and therefore at higher risk of developing
health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and cancer;
and
WHEREAS, Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are generally
lower in fat and calories than meat and dairy products, contain no cholesterol,
and promote good health because they contain fiber and essential nutrients,
including vitamins and minerals, and they also contain phytochemicals
and antioxidants that may provide additional protection to reduce the
risk of some
forms of cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure,
and other degenerative diseases; and
WHEREAS, A significant percentage of children who rely on free or reduced
price school lunches are considered ''at risk'' for these diet-related
degenerative diseases; and
WHEREAS, Diet-related diseases take a disproportionate toll among ethnic
minorities and ethnic minorities also have dramatically higher rates of
lactose intolerance than their Caucasian peers; and
WHEREAS, A growing number of California school children either identify
themselves as vegetarian or vegan, come from vegetarian or vegan families,
or come from families who avoid meat and dairy foods for religious or
health reasons; and
WHEREAS, Exposure of plant-centered entrees in the school cafeteria will
positively influence children with poor eating habits; and
WHEREAS, Children with poor eating habits are at a disadvantage if no
plant-centered school lunch meals are offered daily in their respective
schools; and
WHEREAS, The American Dietetic Association has stated that it is their
position that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthy and nutritionally
adequate and that scientific data suggest positive relationships between
vegetarian diets and risk reduction for several chronic degenerative diseases
and conditions, including obesity, coronary artery disease, hypertension,
diabetes mellitus, and some types of cancer; and
WHEREAS, The State Department of Health Services is striving to increase
public awareness of the importance of eating five or more servings of
fruits and vegetables a day with studies indicating the vast majority
of children do not eat the Recommended Daily Allowance for these foods;
and
WHEREAS, Increased consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables
promotes a sustainable environment; and
WHEREAS, Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are available
through the USDA commodities program; and
WHEREAS, The USDA has made available a newer school lunch menu planning
option called ''Nutrient Standard Menu Planning,'' which does not require
a meat or meat alternate component, and which is based on the recognition
that most nutrients may be obtained from a variety of foods and allows
for significantly greater flexibility in menu planning; and
WHEREAS, The USDA 1995 School Meals Initiative suggests that school lunch programs, in order to provide variety and encourage consumption and participation should, whenever possible, offer a selection of menu items and foods from which pupils may make choices; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the appropriate state agencies, including the state departments of Education, Food and Agriculture, and Health Services, and the California School Food Service Association are requested to develop nutritionally sound school lunch menu plans that would provide daily optional plant-centered vegetarian school lunches, prepared without meat or dairy products, in such a way that all pupils are assured nutritionally balanced diets, regardless of their food preferences and avoidances, and the diet is phased in over a period of approximately 4 years; and be it further
Resolved, That the optional plant-centered school lunch entrees be developed with a similar standard for variety, cycle of repeat, and availability as meat and dairy options; and be it further
Resolved, That nutrition educational materials and instruction strive to recognize and include information about multicultural eating patterns including vegetarian/vegan eating patterns; and be it further Resolved, That the President of the California School Food Service Association is requested to report to the Legislature by January 1, 2008, on programs made to offer optional vegetarian school lunches; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this
resolution to the Director of Health Services, the President of the State
Board of Food and Agriculture, the President of the State Board of Education,
the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the President of the California
School Food Service Association.
