Back from its summer recess since Tuesday, Congress will soon face the question of whether to reauthorize the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which expires at the end of September. These major changes to school meals — the first in 15 years — set new nutrition standards while expanding access to taxpayer-funded breakfast and lunch to millions of students.

Congress reevaluates the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act (a law that governs nine federal nutrition programs) every five years. Since its implementation, adjustments have been made and initial concerns from schools, such as implementation costs, have waned. However, there are a few aspects of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that have proven problematic for so many that some are lobbying for Congress to make adjustments before moving forward.

The requirement that all grains be whole-grain rich is one that has caused grumblings among participating schools. The requirement that every student take a serving of fruit or vegetable with every school meal has raised concerns over increased waste as well as students being required to take three meal components rather than a la carte and before that option is given.

Jeremy Berry has served as director of child nutrition for Lincoln County School District since 2009, just before the HHFKA was authorized. Berry said when he came in he knew things were changing and began phasing in differences in the menu, but he didn’t know to what extent regulations would change. Berry, like many others, said he feels the program “definitely” needs some tweaks and doesn’t support the act exactly as it stands currently. He said throughout the implementation over the past five years or so, the main concerns have been food waste, increased costs and an ambitious whole grain requirement.

“Definitely. I don’t know that anybody in [children’s nutrition] food service would want that particular act to be reauthorized as it stands,” he said. “One hundred percent [whole grain products only]— that’s just kind of ridiculous.”

This year is the first that districts had the opportunity to seek a waiver that allows for the reduction of the whole grain requirement from 100 percent to 50 percent. Berry said LCSD is operating under this waiver, having to demonstrate they were losing money because of the regulation. Berry said it isn’t necessarily that difficult to comply with but the costs of those foods have increased and the student reception was very bleak in the beginning, affecting sales.

“I would agree that at least 50 percent whole grain is acceptable, you can work with that and kids accept that pretty well,” Berry said. “The grain deal is the main thing. More fruits and veggies, you definitely want that.”

Requirements for larger and more varied servings of fruits and vegetables haven’t negatively impacted the county school district, Berry said, and Brookhaven High School Cafeteria Manager Libby Fisher might agree. Fisher said, at least for BHS, the regulations and requirements haven’t proven too problematic, but that there have been snags. Fisher said the requirement that students take a minimum of three components of the menu usually causes some confusion, resistance and waste. Fisher said, however, usually after students adjust at the beginning of the year, these issues lessen. Increased waste prevails as perhaps the worst result.

Upcoming discussions and decisions within congress surrounding child nutrition and school meal programs make this a very important year for the many districts across the U.S. who rely on federal reimbursement.