Right in the middle of a child's busy day of work and play we have an opportunity to foster his or her well-being—and provide a hands-on nutrition lesson—with a healthful meal. A school lunch program, which provides at least one third of most kids' calories for the day, can boost intake of key nutrients and help kids perform better academically and in extracurricular activities. Most importantly, it can promote good health now and in the future.

Unfortunately, many school lunch programs fall far short of this potential, serving meals that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol and low in essential nutrients and fiber. Rather than contribute to our children's health and well being, these school lunch programs are putting kids at higher risk for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic disease, while teaching them nothing about smart food choices.

Much of the food served in school lunch programs comes from the USDA's commodities program, in which millions of pounds of surplus meat——in particular beef, pork, and other high-fat meat products—are purchased from farmers and then distributed to qualifying schools. Other commodities include canned goods that are high in salt and/or sugar, and refined white flour, noodles, and rice.

Few are healthy, low-fat, cholesterol-free, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables or whole grain products. School food service programs work with tight budgets. With less nutritious products provided at a fraction of the cost of the healthier options, it's easy to understand why a lunch program would serve canned, sweetened fruit rather than fresh or a high-fat, fiber-free hamburger rather than lean-meat or veggie burger.

Many experts have evaluated school lunch programs, and report cards vary from school to school. In general, the following recommendations surface:

School Lunches Need More:
Fresh vegetables and fresh and dried fruits; whole grains; legumes.
A variety of foods—high in different nutrients.
100 percent fruit juice; fresh water with every meal; calcium-rich, non-dairy milk alternatives, like fortified juices, soymilk, rice milk.
Foods that are high in fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
Low-fat vegetarian and vegan entrees.
Low-fat versions of condiments and deli-meats (if offered.)
Healthful snacks such as yogurts, veggies and dip, air-popped popcorn, baked snacks.

School Lunches Need Less: Foods that are high in saturated fats, cholesterol, sugar, salt, and calories; refined foods; fried foods; fruit drinks and sodas; meat and poultry.