STATEMENT OF

CHAIRMAN RICHARD LUGAR

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND FORESTRY

HEARING ON THE FUTURE OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

MARCH 4, 1997

The committee turns its attention this morning to nutrition, one of our most important responsibilities. We understand more each day about the importance of a nutritious diet as part of a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition assistance programs also represent the vast majority of spending over which this committee has authority. We will discuss today one of the most important federal nutrition initiatives: the school lunch program.

This program and the school breakfast program have been critically important in helping to meet the nutritional needs of our children for more than half a century. Practically all our public schools and one-fifth of private schools participate in the school lunch program. It is one of the most direct links between the Federal Government and a large segment of the American people.

Today's hearing is being held during the annual meeting of the American School Food Service Association. Many of its members are in the audience today. We will hear from three witnesses from the group. I commend the members of American School Food Service Association for their hard work and dedication to feeding our children.

As we applaud the efforts of our food service employees, it is also important for this committee to examine their work for the future. Our job is to be sure that federal government policies meet the needs of the Nation's children, including the nutritional goals our school cafeterias strive to achieve.

Though we cannot see into the future, we know two things for certain. First, we must continue to provide healthy, nutritious meals. Second, budget pressures on school food authorities will probably continue. Therefore, all of us need to think innovatively.

More than two years ago, I raised 53 questions about our farm programs. I am now circulating a similar set of questions dealing with agricultural research. In the same vein, it is appropriate to have an honest appraisal of the school lunch program.

Some questions are broad in scope. For instance, are federal funds generally being spent efficiently? Are our nutritional goals the right ones? Are we meeting the food needs of both poor and non-poor children? Can we make better use of the private sector?

At the same time, the nature of the nutrition issue also leads us to some very specific questions. What administrative burdens and costs face school lunch providers? Indeed, is the government too involved in the intricacies of the school lunch program? Why do children not participate in the program? What sort of challenges are posed by the limited time children have to eat lunch? Where is new food technology taking us? All of these questions deserve attention.

In addition to the American School Food Service Association, we have other witnesses who are intimately involved in nutrition and food service. I expect they will add to the innovative thinking that this important subject deserves. I hope that this hearing is the first step in a public discourse aimed at ensuring that we are meeting our children's nutritional needs as the new century unfolds.

Before I turn to the distinguished ranking member, Senator Harkin, I would like to welcome the Indiana delegation of the American School Food Service Association who have joined us this morning.