Policy Recommendations to Improve the Health of School-Age Children in the 2007 Farm Bill

ABSTRACT The foods offered through the USDA commodity food program significantly impact the nutrient quality of school food. A sample of school food service directors (n = 27) and government agency employees (n = 6) were interviewed about their experience with the commodity food program. High administrative costs and dependence upon the types of food offered through the commodity food program were the main impediments to food quality improvement. Despite requests for more fresh and low-fat commodity offerings (n = 12), nearly half of the food service directors interviewed did not receive fresh fruits and vegetables through commodity distribution due to programmatic issues. Recommendations for the 2007 farm bill are provided.