Local Pols Support School Nutrition Bill

Sugary drinks such as soda would be banned for sale in schools under the legislation. Courtesy photo.

State Legislature Passes School Nutrition Bill

Legislation Improves Food Choices at Massachusetts Schools to Help Fight Childhood Obesity

The Massachusetts Legislature today passed legislation that would ban the sale of unhealthy foods and drinks in Massachusetts public schools.

The bill institutes nutritional guidelines, to be developed by the Department of Public Health, for foods and beverages sold to students outside of the federal meal program. The legislation establishes standards for products sold in vending machines, school stores, and cafeteria a la carte lines.

“I have been a supporter of this legislation for many years,” Senator Jehlen (D-Somerville) said. “By providing our children with more nutritious locally grown foods we will help them to be better students and to grow up much healthier.”

The bill dictates that all school districts create school wellness and advisory committees to develop a district-wide wellness policy. The legislation also requires nutrition and exercise as subjects for instruction in schools.

“This legislation addresses the issue of childhood obesity.” said Representative Paul J. Donato (D-Medford). “It is important for children to learn to make healthier choices at a young age that will hopefully carry them through adulthood.”

The bill also includes a provision for preferential purchasing for products grown in Massachusetts and instructs the Department of Agriculture to collect data to facilitate the process of local farms and public schools doing business together.

“We know a poor diet can have effects on a child’s development,” Representative Garballey said (D-Medford). “This legislation allows us to support local farmers while restricting products that inhibit the right kind of growth.”

The American Heart Association has confirmed that childhood obesity is one of the most critical public health issues facing our nation today, threatening to reverse the last half century’s gains in reducing cardiovascular disease and related deaths.

One-third of children aged two to five years are either at risk for being overweight or are already overweight. In Massachusetts, 29 percent of middle school students are overweight or obese. Studies show that these children are more likely than their peers to be absent from school, experience low self-esteem and become obese adults.

Representative Carl Sciortino (D-Medford) said, “This legislation has great potential to both empower our school age children to make healthy choices and promote local agriculture. Improving school nutrition shows that the Commonwealth is serious about combating risk factors for unhealthy lifestyles and committed to taking a more thoughtful approach to food policy.”

– Information from State Senator Patricia Jehlen’s office

Editor’s Note: The Medford Public Schools are already doing many of the provisions included in the legislation.

Medford has taken several steps over the past few years to make its school lunches, snacks, and drinks more healthy. Traditional junk food has been replaced with baked, single-serving snacks, soda and sports drinks machines have been swapped out for those with water and juice-based beverages, and locally grown foods such as seasonal produce and whole grains have been integrated into the school menu.

In addition to changes in the school lunch program, Medford has a district wellness policy and recently received a nearly $1 million federal grant that is being used to create an entirely new fitness program to increase students’ activity levels and nutritional knowledge, focusing on grades six through twelve.