In 2007, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples established the Healthy Students = Healthy Families committee to advise on all aspects of the nutrition policy for Texas and public schools, and on program administration issues. The committee is comprised of 12 members, including, nutritionists, healthcare professionals, foodservice professionals and educators. The committee was originally charged with making recommendations to the Texas Department of Agriculture on the 10 charges listed below. The committee has made recommendations for five of the charges, which were addressed in TDA's official response. The response to the first five charges, issued in April 2008, is available below. The committee will continue the process at their next meeting in Summer 2008. 1. Identify any potential changes to the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy to improve service delivery, increase student wellness, increase meal participation and decrease rates of childhood obesity.
2. Determine if barriers exist to participation in the School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the After School Snack Program, and other related child nutrition programs, and make recommendations to increase participation.
3. Identify obstacles that may impact certain campuses and/or school districts from compliance (i.e. failed bond elections, facilities funding). Make recommendations to address these issues and identify ways to facilitate compliance.
4. Examine the availability of processed or prepackaged foods in school nutrition programs, including the trans fatty acid content of commonly served items. Recommend ways to further reduce trans fatty acids in school meals while minimizing cost and impacts on demand. Assess requests to make available non-fat, reduced calorie beverages in high schools.
5. Review the benefits of providing free breakfast to all public school students, regardless of income.
6. Develop methods to improve communication among food service providers, school district administrators, the Texas Department of Agriculture, parents, and students. Evaluate requiring certification for food service directors.
7. Recommend avenues for more parental and community education and outreach on nutrition issues. Explore opportunities to enhance nutrition education through the Coordinated School Health Program. Recommend any needed changes to health and physical education curriculums.
8. Assess the benefits to school districts and food service management companies of fixed meal rate and/or cost reimbursable food service management contracts.
9. Evaluate current contract approval timelines and recommend appropriate changes to align with school budget cycles.
10. Review the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy and its implementation schedule to ensure that it is a fair and equitable approach to student nutrition.
