Source: Fortune
Summary
Many US public schools struggle to sustain free meal programs due to insufficient reimbursement rates, with 69.6% of school nutrition directors reporting concerns about financial sustainability. The Trump administration’s updated dietary guidelines, which promote whole foods and scratch-made meals, may exacerbate the issue. Economists worry that the new guidelines will increase costs for schools already struggling to provide affordable meals. The cost of feeding schoolchildren has risen by nearly 30% since 2020, driven by labor costs, food prices, and supply chain bottlenecks.
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Schools are already stretched thin, and the new dietary guidelines will require more resources to execute. The updated standards advocate for more red meat and whole-fat dairy, but beef prices have been on the rise. Schools may need to invest in more expensive equipment to improve kitchen efficiency or risk not feeding students in a timely manner. The cost of serving affordable or free meals to students will increase, forcing schools to make difficult decisions. “Healthy eating isn’t just a choice. There are real constraints.”
Author: Evan Null
