Study Finds USDA Child Nutrition Commodity Program Lacks Nutrition

The U.S. Department of Agriculture currently provides school districts with more than 180 different commodity food items per year valued at approximately $1 billion,3 which makes the commodity program the largest single source of foods for schools. The nutritional quality of the foods ordered by schools through the commodity program, however, is particularly alarming. While commodity foods comprise only 20 percent of the school meal, they set the tone for the entire meal. For instance, many meals are planned around the high-fat foods ordered through the commodities program, turning them into pizza, chicken nuggets and other processed foods.

The study goes on to recommend solutions to help children receiving food from the program benefit from the food offered.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans should be reflected in School Meal Initiative Standards, and schools should have to meet them. Efforts to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables and decrease the amount of meats and processed foods purchased for school meals would contribute to providing students with much healthier foods.

Full Federal Child Nutrition Commodity Program Nutritional Quality Report (pdf)

::Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

More on Food in Schools
Locally Grown Food in School Lunch Programs
The Green Bag Lunch Program: Destined For The Masses?

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