FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Soyfoods Association of North America
1050 17th Street, N.W.
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 659-3520
Contact: Nancy Chapman, RD, MPH, Executive Director
Washington, D.C. March 18, 2010– The Soyfoods Association of North America (SANA) is pleased to support H.R. 4870 the Healthy School Meals Act introduced by Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO). This important piece of legislation takes an initial step towards encouraging more plant-based meal options from which to choose in our nation’s school cafeterias and helps ensure students will have more healthy meal options to choose from.
To support a generation of healthy, active children, an emphasis on nutritionally dense school meals that meet the needs of a diverse student body is needed. A recent survey of schools by the School Nutrition Association documented that nearly 64 percent of school districts are offering plant-based options to students. In these fiscally constrained times, schools need incentives to offer more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins that include plant-based options. Soyfoods with high quality protein should be the center piece of school meals for children who desire nutrient dense plant-based options. Soy protein is equivalent to animal protein, but without saturated fat and cholesterol; and soyfoods are generally lower in calories. Soyfoods can serve as meat and milk alternates for students who avoid meat and dairy because of health conditions, religious beliefs, or cultural practices. Fortified soymilk may now be part of a reimbursable meal which is great news for children with lactose intolerance or milk allergies.
The Healthy School Meals Act takes an important first step towards ensuring the students of today benefit from nutritious options. The Soyfoods Association encourages members of Congress to support the Healthy School Meals Act and ensure passage of this important legislation.
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The Soyfoods Association of North America (SANA) is a non-profit trade association that has been promoting consumption of soyfoods in the diet since 1978. SANA is committed to encouraging sustainability, integrity and growth in the soyfoods industry by promoting the benefits and consumption of soy-based foods and ingredients in diets. More information is available at www.soyfoods.org.
