Dive Brief:

• A new Republican-backed bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would allow schools to drop healthier meal standards if they lose money on the programs over six months.
• First Lady Michelle Obama has played a major role in pushing the standards, and the White House has threatened to veto the bill should it pass both the House and Senate.
• The standards call for an increase in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting sodium, sugar, and fat.

Dive Insight:

While this may seem like a partisan move on the surface, there actually are districts that have seen significant student rejection of the healthier food. In Los Angeles, for example, students trash $18 million worth of food every year. And Boston schools have done away with salad bars due to a reported $3.6 million deficit last year.

Some might also argue that perhaps healthier meal standards aren't enough and can be relaxed a little bit if the amount of physical education time — which has been in decline for some time and probably plays just as much of a role in childhood obesity prevention — is increased.