United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel has expressed disappointment with the actions taken today by the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which has backtracked on school lunch nutrition standards. 

The bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow schools claiming economic hardship to opt-out of certain nutritional regulations during the 2014-2015 academic year.

Stenzel said in a statement he was appalled that children's health was not being taken more seriously.

"Members of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee who voted today to roll back school meal nutrition standards that benefit the health of millions of American children should be embarrassed," Stenzel said.

He went on to say that since the vast majority of schools had been able to reach the standards, support should be given to those facing challenges rather than giving them an easy way out.

"USDA reports that 91% of schools are already complying with these nutrition standards. Congress should focus on helping those schools that may face challenges in implementing the standards, not creating an "opt-out" clause just because some find it difficult.

"The childhood obesity crisis is real – with the early onset of diabetes and the enormous burden of healthcare costs on society.

"Moms and dads know the challenge of helping our kids make healthy choices – but we don’t opt-out of trying. We put our own kids’ health first, and it’s time for Congress to put all of our kids’ health first."

The bill will now be considered by Congress, and Stenzel says he is calling on members of all parties involved to stand up for children’s health and not roll back these simple nutrition standards.

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