Some senators in Washington want school cooks to have more flexibility when it comes to feeding kids breakfast and lunch.
Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp are among the bipartisan leaders in support of the Sensible School Lunch Act.
The legislation is in response to frustration and concern over strict USDA rules implemented last year. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was intended to address the nation's childhood obesity epidemic by putting strict limits on calories, protein and grains served to kids at school. It set strict new guidelines for lunch menus, caused a strain on school budgets....and parents complained kids weren't getting enough to eat--not every student fit the guidelines. The USDA has since eased up on some of the strict limits...but only temporarily.
Senator Hoeven says his proposal would be permanent.
"We keep the calorie limits in place under this legislation. That stays in place so we're still addressing the childhood obesity issue which is so important but the grains and protein need flexibility so when you add children of different sizes, with different physical activities and different nutritional needs, they've got the flexibility to provide the kinds of meals that work," Hoeven said.
Senator Hoeven says that flexibility is what 60-thousand food service professional from schools across the country said they need to provide the nutritional needs of children they feed every day.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:40:22 GMT
Officials say some areas on the road near Jamestown were 10 to 14 inches deep. It may be hard to tell but this is actually interstate. Drivers were down to about five miles an hour just west of Jamestown
Two westbound semi trailers were swept off the road and had to be pulled out early Sunday, and some eastbound vehicles were stranded until the water receded enough to let them proceed.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:37 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:37:32 GMT
A freedom ride was canceled due to the rainy conditions, but a barbecue, silent auction and fundraiser for a family in need went on as scheduled. Proceeds from this annual event usually go to a child
A freedom ride was canceled due to the rainy conditions, but a barbecue, silent auction and fundraiser for a family in need went on as scheduled.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:34:34 GMT
Firefighters, police and chaplains respond to a church Sunday morning to educate a congregation about emergency preparedness. It's not everyday you see a Bismarck fire truck parked outside of a church
Pastor Carr has been here for four years, and says recent events around the country led him to want this plan as part of their service.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:31:55 GMT
A young group of church members takes their mission outside to surprise a family who lost their home to a fire. "It's kind of one of those things where you don't have to say anything, speechless moment,
They are walking outside in the rain to drop off money raised for the Nelson family--who lost their home to a fire just down the road.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:01 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:01:07 GMT
A local health care provider says if you're a child and you have to be in the hospital, your stay should be as fun as possible. "Take a big breath. Go. Good job." They're any hospital's smallest
A local health care provider says if you're a child and you have to be in the hospital, your stay should be as fun as possible. "Take a big breath. Go. Good job." They're any hospital's smallest
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The North Dakota Department of Transportation says water is on both the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 94 about three miles west of Jamestown.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation says water is on both the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 94 about three miles west of Jamestown.
Evangelist Franklin Graham prayed on a sidewalk outside the Pentagon Thursday after his invitation to a prayer service inside was withdrawn because of comments that insulted people of other religions. More>>