Congress decided the issue was better left to local authorities and the secretary of agriculture. The USDA so far has developed a brochure and video that addresses the problem, says Dorothy Caldwell, deputy administrator for special nutrition programs at the department. After hearing reports of skimpy meal periods, the National Association of State Boards of Education has recommended in its latest policy guide that students and staff have at least 10 minutes to eat, relax and socialize after sitting down for breakfast and 20 minutes after sitting down for lunch. Similarly, the American School Food Service Association is tackling inadequate eating periods in its plan this year. Thus far, cafeteria managers have added more serving lines, food kiosks and vending machines where possible.
Some solutions are less than ideal, at least when it comes to balanced meals.
In schools with snack lines or vending, cookies often are the main course. And while some foodservice directors have been able to persuade administrators to increase the number of lunch periods, others have not. The result might have unintended consequences. For one thing, when time is short, children will eat what's easy and perhaps not so healthy, says Griffith. If they're in a rush, they're going to eat what's familiar and quick.