New school lunch food standards soon to be implemented by the Obama Administration are raising the ire of Colorado’s two Democratic senators.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to require school cafeterias to provide students more leafy greens and whole grains while limiting starchy vegetables that have long been contributed to rising obesity rates among children and adults. But Senator Mark Udall says this policy will unfairly target potatoes; a crop that generates millions of dollars a year for the state’s economy, and a vegetable he and many farmers point out can be cooked and served in healthy ways.
"Mark believes there’s a common sense way to make sure schools have the flexibility to provide affordable fresh food to kids including potatoes, peas and lima beans," said spokesperson Tara Trujillo. "There’s a balance that can be struck."
Udall’s counterpart, Democratic Senator Michael Bennet has expressed similar concerns, and he says he’s worried the policy could end up costing already cash-strapped school districts a lot of money. Colorado Democratic Congressman Jared Polis, meantime, has praised the new standards.
