Schools may get break on lunches

WASHINGTON — House Republicans propose letting some schools opt out of new lunch and breakfast programs if they are losing money.

A GOP spending bill for agriculture and food programs released yesterday would allow schools to apply for waivers if they have a net loss on food programs in a sixmonth period.

Championed by first lady Michelle Obama, the new standards have been phased in over the past two school years, with more changes coming this year. The rules set limits on fat, calories, sugar and sodium in food in the lunch line and beyond.

The first lady held a conference call to rally supporters of the food rules yesterday as a House subcommittee is expected to consider the bill today.

While many schools have had success putting the rules in place, others have said they are too restrictive and costly. Schools pushing for changes say that limits on sodium and requirements for whole grains have proved difficult to meet.

The House Appropriations Committee said the waiver language is in response to requests from schools.

The School Nutrition Association, which represents school nutrition directors and companies that sell food to schools, endorsed the provision yesterday and said that schools need more room to make decisions. President Leah Schmidt said the group supports the waiver as a temporary solution until Congress considers renewal of a school food law that expires in 2015.

“School meal programs need more flexibility to plan menus that increase student consumption of healthy choices while limiting waste,” Schmidt said.

The School Nutrition Association says that almost half of school meal programs reported declines in revenue in the 2012-13 school year, and 90 percent said food costs were up.