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(Des Moines, IA) -- A bill that would change priorities in school nutrition in Iowa is advancing. House File 851 would change the state's food pyramid to prioritize meats and dairy with fruits and vegetables falling to the bottom of the list. If the bill is passed, it would require the state to apply for a waiver with the federal government to make these changes. Some supporters, including State Rep. Jeff Shipley (R-Fairfield) say they've heard from professionals who say this will help them.
"One of their biggest frustrations is having to jump through the USDA guidelines and conform every single thing on their menu to the whims of the bureaucracy," Shipley says. "They're very frustrated by that. Especially when there is a recommendation change and all of the sudden they have to go back and reformulate everything all over again. It's a big pain in the butt."
According to the bill's fiscal note, put together by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, about $185 million was reimbursed to schools that followed federal guidelines in the 2023-24 school year. Some opponents, including State Rep. Sami Scheetz (D-Cedar Rapids), worry Iowa could lose that funding if the waiver is denied and the state goes forward with the bill's requirements.
"I know that federal code prohibits us from applying for that waiver and it prohibits the USDA secretary from granting it," Scheetz says. "What is important to remember is that not every kid in the state is able to eat a school lunch. So why are we spending the time, as a legislature, telling our school districts what they need to have in their school lunches when a ton of kids aren't even able to eat a school lunch because they can't afford it?"
Other opponents, like State Rep. Austin Baeth (D-Des Moines), call the bill a play at the state's agriculture industry.
"From what we know about nutrition, this is not healthier," Baeth says. "This is a hand out to an industry at the expense of the health of our children.”
He also says the bill sends the message to the federal government that Iowa knows better than them. And, supporters like State Rep. Derek Wulf (R-Hudson) say Iowa might.
"“Nobody knows nutrition and food better than us here. We’re the breadbasket of America. The experts live here, they work here and we have a long history of understanding food sources,” Wulf says.
The bill passed the Iowa House on Wednesday and is now eligible for consideration by the state Senate.