MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - New federal guidelines are changing students across the country are eating at school. The government wants all schools receiving subsidized meals to follow stricter guidelines to fight child obesity.
The new standards require more whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables. It also calls for less sodium and fat. Much of what, Ouachita Parish Child Nutrition Director Jo Lynne Correro tells KNOE, the parish has been slowly implementing for years now. "A couple of years ago, I wouldn't have thought our students would have accepted whole grain. I'm not saying they are taking it whole heartedly right now, but they are accepting it, they're eating it." said Correro.
New changes Ouachita students will see are stricter portion sizes and more vegetable offerings. On the front lines of the process is Karen Ledet as Ouachita High's cafeteria manager. She encourages students daily to make healthier choices. "We're trying to get the kids to pick it up more than before." said Ledet.
The offering changes are striking different chords with students. Some like the nutritious lunches, "I work out a lot so wheat is good and salad, yeah you always gotta have your veggies you know." said student Yanyan Rogers, but others aren't fans of the changes.
"They never have anything good, like their pizza they put wheat bread. I don't want wheat bread, I don't like wheat bread." said student Tierra White. But with 36 percent of Louisianian children considered obese, school leaders agree, healthy school lunches are a step in the right direction.
The new meal requirements will affect the 32-million children across the country who participate in school meal programs each day.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-21 09:00:54 GMT
MOORE, Ok. (KNOE 8 News) - President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma as the state recovers from a massive tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs
MOORE, Ok. (KNOE 8 News) - President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma as the state recovers from a massive tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs
Friday, May 17 2013 12:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 16:09:18 GMT
FARMERVILLE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The family of a Farmerville teen who died at football practice last week says it is overwhelmed by the community's gratitude.
FARMERVILLE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The family of a Farmerville teen who died at football practice last week says it is overwhelmed by the community's gratitude.
