--- title: USDA Announces More Flexibility for School Meals description: When we last checked in, the future of Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) was uncertain. We have some clarity now following LAC. image: https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/NEW_Blog_Header_Template-barry.jpg --- [![Heartland-AGPC-logo-main](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Heartland_May2018/images/Heartland-AGPC-logo-main.png?width=168&height=31&name=Heartland-AGPC-logo-main.png)](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en) ![Heartland](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/Heartland_May2018/images/aglobalpaymentscompany_identifier_grey.png) - [Back to Main Site](https://www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com/) - [Back to Main Site](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/) - Products - [Nutrition Technology](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/nutrition-technology) - [Payment Solutions](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/payment-solutions) - Support - [Support Central](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/support-central) - [Technical Consulting](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/consulting) - Events - [Training Events](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/training-events) - [Shows and Conferences](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/shows-and-conferences) - [Connect 2026](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/connect) - About - [Our Story](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/about/our-story) - [Partnerships](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/integrations) - [Careers](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/about/careers) - Resources - [Webinars](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/webinars-nutrition) - [Guides & Templates](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/resources/guides-templates) - [Blog](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com) # ![Connections Blog](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/LP_Templates/Connections-Blog/Connections-Blog-Logo-2024.svg) Fresh insights for school leaders # USDA Announces More Flexibility for School Meals Posted by [Barry Sackin](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/author/barry-sackin) on May 10, 2017, 10:35:54 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![USD announces school meal flexibility](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NEW_Blog_Header_Template-barry.jpg?width=725&name=NEW_Blog_Header_Template-barry.jpg "USD announces school meal flexibility") *The following post was written by Barry Sackin of [Sackin & Associates](http://www.sackinassociates.com/). * ### It Happens Slow and It Happens Fast When we last checked in, the future of Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) was uncertain.  We have some clarity now following private meetings with both House and Senate staff during the SNA Legislative Action Conference.  The House Education and the Workforce Committee would very much like to move on CNR, which is now two and a half years past due.  That said, their docket is pretty full and the Chairwoman, Virginia Foxx (R-NC), has no active plan in play.  And don’t forget, the full House has quite a lot on their plates, too. On the other hand, the Senate Agriculture Committee has clearly stated they have no intention of addressing child nutrition during this full session of Congress.  That means no action before 2020.  Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) is Ranking Member of the committee and has said she is done with this issue for now.  And don’t forget, it took until late April to have the new Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, confirmed and sworn in.  The committee still has more than a dozen confirmations to address when (and if) the White House nominates candidates, and there doesn’t seem to be an urgency to do so.   In March, Senate Agriculture Committee chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) sent a letter to the USDA saying that the issues with school meals were created by the USDA through the regulatory process.  He mentions that the issues can be resolved the same way, without Congressional action.  And that is what we're seeing now. At the start of his second week as Secretary, Mr. Perdue, with Senator Roberts by his side, held a press event at a school in Leesburg, VA (the school district administered by SNA president Becky Domokos-Bayes) where he issued a proclamation announcing a forthcoming interim regulation to expand and extend flexibility in school meals.  Here is what he proposed: - **Whole grains:** - **Sodium:** - **Milk:** This represents a significant accomplishment for SNA, which has been asking for this flexibility for several years. It must be pointed out that the Secretary’s announcement is not without controversy.  The nutrition community and anti-Trump forces are painting these reasonable actions as a roll-back of President and First Lady Michelle Obama’s efforts to improve nutrition.  The modest flexibility does not “roll back” strong nutrition standards, but recognizes the negative impact that some parts of the new meal patterns has on student acceptability, participation, and costs to the meal programs. We'll be sure to provide another update when the interim regulation is published. **About the author** --- *![Barry Sackin](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/March_2016/barry-sackin.jpg?width=146&name=barry-sackin.jpg "Barry Sackin")[Barry Sackin](http://www.sackinassociates.com/) is a school foodservice veteran of more than 35 years. Barry started his career on staff at San Diego Unified School District in 1980. Barry was a director of large districts for several years, at one point overseeing two districts with more than 70 sites and nearly 45,000 students.  While serving on the SNA Board of Directors, Barry was asked to join the staff as VP of Public Policy and has since worked on child nutrition policy for the past 20 years.* --- [![Connections Blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/434266/7bbdf711-2294-4968-8150-d6c08430fad5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/434266/7bbdf711-2294-4968-8150-d6c08430fad5) Topics: [School Nutrition Regulation](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-nutrition-regulation) ### Subscribe to our monthly newsletter [![free-webinars-for-school-nutrition-technology](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/free-webinars-for-school-nutrition-technology.png?width=375&height=416&name=free-webinars-for-school-nutrition-technology.png)](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/webinars-nutrition)   ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [School Lunch (52)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-lunch) - [School Payments (32)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-payments) - [MySchoolBucks (30)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/myschoolbucks) - [School Breakfast (24)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-breakfast) - [Point of Sale software (21)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/point-of-sale-software) - [Conferences (19)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/conferences) - [Menu Planning (18)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/menu-planning) - [School Nutrition Regulation (16)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-nutrition-regulation) - [free downloads (14)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/free-downloads) - [Training (13)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/training) - [Connect (10)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/connect) - [Social Media (10)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/social-media) - [Contests & Grants (9)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/contests-grants) - [How to (9)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/how-to) - [Parent Newsletters (9)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/parent-newsletters) - [Recipes (8)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/recipes) - [Hardware (7)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/hardware) - [School Fundraising (7)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-fundraising) - [Afterschool Programs (6)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/afterschool-programs) - [MCS software (6)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/mcs-software) - [Mosaic Cloud (6)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/mosaic-cloud) - [Cloud-Based Solutions (5)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/cloud-based-solutions) - [nutrition program (5)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/nutrition-program) - [Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) (4)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/community-eligibility-provision-cep) - [Farm to School (4)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/farm-to-school) - [MealViewer (4)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/mealviewer) - [invoicing (4)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/invoicing) - [Data Security (3)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/data-security) - [Digital Signage (3)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/digital-signage) - [Donations (3)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/donations) - [Free & Reduced (3)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/free-reduced) - [Lunch Debt (3)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/lunch-debt) - [School Accounting (3)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-accounting) - [School Store (3)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-store) - [back to school (3)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/back-to-school) - [Cashless Campus (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/cashless-campus) - [Customer Testimonial (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/customer-testimonial) - [Direct Certification (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/direct-certification) - [Happy holidays (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/happy-holidays) - [MSB Activities (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/msb-activities) - [MSB Tickets (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/msb-tickets) - [Meal Ordering (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/meal-ordering) - [National School Lunch Week (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/national-school-lunch-week) - [Nutrikids (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/nutrikids) - [Webinars (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/webinars) - [school commerce platform (2)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-commerce-platform) - [ANC (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/anc) - [Activities (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/activities) - [Black History Month (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/black-history-month) - [Communications (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/communications) - [Contactless Payments (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/contactless-payments) - [Meal Debt (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/meal-debt) - [Partnerships (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/partnerships) - [Pickle Juice (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/pickle-juice) - [Procurement (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/procurement) - [School events (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/school-events) - [Serving in the Classroom (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/serving-in-the-classroom) - [Women's History Month (1)](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/topic/womens-history-month) See All » [![Heartland](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/Heartland_May2018/images/logo.png)](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com) ### Nutrition Technology - [Point of Sale](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/nutrition-technology/point-of-sale) - [Free and Reduced](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/nutrition-technology/free-and-reduced) - [Online Applications](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/nutrition-technology/online-applications) - [Menu Planning](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/nutrition-technology/menu-planning) - [Meal Orders](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/nutrition-technology/meal-orders) - [Ordering Inventory](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/nutrition-technology/ordering-inventory) - [Digital Menus](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/nutrition-technology/mealviewer) ### Payment Solutions - [School Store](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/payment-solutions/school-store) - [Student Invoicing](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/payment-solutions/student-invoicing) - [School Program Management](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/payment-solutions/msb-activities) - [Tickets & Event Management](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/payment-solutions/ticketing) - [School Funds Accounting](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/payment-solutions/school-funds-accounting) - [In-Person Payments](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/payment-solutions/msb-anywhere) - [Meal Payments](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/payment-solutions/meals) ### Events - [Training Events](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/training-events) - [Shows and Conferences](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/shows-and-conferences) - [Connect 2026](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/connect) ### Support - [Support Central](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/support-central) - [Technical Consulting](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/consulting) ### About - [Our Story](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/about/our-story) - [Partnerships](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/integrations) - [Careers](https://www.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/en/about/careers) ### Resources - [Webinars](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/webinars-nutrition) - [Guides & Templates](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/resources/guides-templates) - [Blog](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/) ### Contact Sales 800.423.2113 ### Contact - [Contact Sales](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/contact-us) - [Contact Support](https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/support-central#help) ### [Social](https://www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com/school-solutions) - [![Facebook](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/Heartland_May2018/images/facebook.png) ![Facebook](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/Heartland_May2018/images/facebook_active.png)](https://www.facebook.com/heartlandschoolsolutions) - [![Youtube](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/Heartland_May2018/images/youtube.png) ![Youtube](https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/hubfs/Heartland_May2018/images/youtube_active.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/HPYSchoolSolutions) ### Location 765 Jefferson Road, #400 Rochester, NY 14623 © 2025 Heartland Payment Systems, a Global Payments company (NYSE: GPN). All rights reserved.  Heartland Payment Systems, LLC is a registered ISO of PNC Bank, N.A., Pittsburgh PA, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, New York, NY. - [Terms of Use](https://www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com/terms-of-use) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com/privacy-policy) Cookie Settings