School Lunches, Academic Performance,and

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

Nick Cenname

1940s-Present

• 1946- National School Lunch Program• Other programs • Expansion• Falling Short

Nutrition and Academic Performance

1. Numerous research studies2. Effective fighting force?3. Why do we continue to feed children

inadequate food if we know that it will hinder their ability to perform well in school?

4. Early years could be most important

Long VersionStarts Here

Quotes

• “For one thing, as nutritionists and parents know all too well, it is difficult, if not impossible, to convince people-whether children or adults-to eat what is good for them, rather than what tastes good.”

• “Research shows that 40% of all cancer is diet related” • “Studies conducted by Harvard University and

Massachusetts General Hospital show that children perform better on standardized tests, exhibit less hyperactivity, and generally behave better than kids who skip breakfast.”

1700s

1. Europe leads the way2. Big difference between children 3. Private charities

1880-1920s(Progressive Era)

1. Emphasis on “scientific nutrition” 2. New England Kitchen and Penny-Lunch

Program3. Books4. ideal soldiers?5. Educate and feed6. 13 states and D.C.

1930sDepression Era

1. Not a shortage of food2. The responsibility falls on community3. Agricultural Adjustment Act (1935)

1940s

1. States and nutritionists2. Soldier problem; again!3. RDAs4. Excess food to troops5. Where are the women?6. Who got the lunches?

1946National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

1. Truman2. Purpose3. The “real” reason4. Where is the money?

Question

• Should the federal government be responsible for feeding students?

1950s and 60s

1. SOCIALISM! Ahhhhhhhhh1. Fascism more like it

2. Handouts will “crush moral”3. Milk Program4. Child Nutrition Act5. Pilot Breakfast Program

70s,80s

1. Nixon does something good?2. Vending machines! Worse than socialism!

90s, present

1. Nobody following the rules2. Billions of dollars3. Fast-Food is in!4. USDA can’t follow…it’s own rules 5. Do you eat breakfast?6. Save here…pay there7. Causing illnesses? Who knows?

Sources• Levine, Susan. “School Lunch Politics.” Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton

University Press (2008)• Cooper, Ann. Holmes, Lisa M. “Lunch Lessons”. New York, NY.

HarperCollins (2006)• Schlosser, Eric. “Fast Food Nation”. New York, NY. HarperCollins (2002)