A school lunch food fight is underway between House Republicans and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee FY 2015 bill approved this week would establish a waiver program for schools having trouble with provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Subcommittee chairman Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) says the program is resulting in rising costs for schools and wasted food. “While we are concerned about the national problems brought on by childhood obesity, we also have to be sensitive to the challenges of local school districts,” he said.

Earlier this month, Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) spearheaded a bipartisan letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlining concerns with the program. “The new rules and regulations are costing (school districts) upwards of $100,000 more a year,” said Davis. “What that means is that they can’t hire two teachers to teach classes … they’re asking for flexibility.” Rep. Rodney Davis comments on school nutrition program

Secretary Vilsack fired back today with a media call featuring retired military leaders to say that undermining the childhood nutrition standards would impact military readiness. He also refuted claims by members of Congress and others that the program is causing food waste, reduced school meal participation, and financial hardship for schools. “Bottom line, I don’t think that politics and politicians should trump good policy established by experts when it comes to the future of our children,” said Vilsack. Also on the call was a school food service director who talked about the success of the program in her district.

Those participating in the media call with Vilsack were William S. Wallace, General, U.S. Army (Retired), James A. “Jamie” Barnett, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired) and School Food Service Director Donna Martin of Burke County, Ga.
USDA School Nutrition media call