I have written before about how Choicelunch already far exceeds these changes, and these new regulations won’t affect your kids. But, with all of the news on this issue, I thought it might be fun to think about what the USDA missed. 

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Today, the troops at the front of the lunch line gathered (virtually) to attend a webinar for the School Nutrition Association members. The SNA is the professional organization to which ‘lunch ladies’ all belong. Leading the presentation was a White House Chef, a Deputy Secretary of the USDA and lots of impressive-sounding folks who probably have never donned a hair net. They fielded strictly monitored questions. It was an interesting way to spend 90 minutes.

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Last Spring, the First Lady, Michelle Obama, told us what she thought we should eat. Thousands of focus group participants, doctors and dieticians were consulted, before the USDA, the agriculture secretary and the surgeon general announced America’s new eating plan: My Plate. Do you remember those old Styrofoam plates that had three compartments?

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I have very clear memories of the Reagan administration’s ketchup gaffe when I was still in grade school. Growing up in a Democratic household, any easy jab at the Republicans was recited often. In an earlier era, Margaret Thatcher was termed, ‘the milk Snatcher’ and again, my Mom couldn’t help but say the British P.M’s name without adding this catchy title. This week, the news has been peppered with stories about Congress’ defense of tomato paste as a vegetable.

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