- What are the current requirements for whole grains in school meals?
At least 80 percent of the weekly grains offered in the school lunch and breakfast programs must be whole grain-rich, meaning that a product must contain at least 50 percent whole grains; any grain ingredients that are not whole grain must be enriched, bran, or germ. The remaining grain items offered must be enriched.
- What are the changes in the final rule for whole grains in school meals?
The final rule maintains the current whole grains requirement that at least 80 percent of the weekly grains offered in the school lunch and breakfast programs are whole grain-rich.
USDA also added a definition of “whole grain-rich” in federal regulations to clarify that: Whole grain-rich is the term designated by FNS to indicate that the grain content of a product is between 50 and 100 percent whole grain with any remaining grains being enriched. This definition aligns with the current definition and meaning of whole grain-rich in school meals, which was previously included only in USDA policy guidance.
The whole grain requirement will help meet local and cultural preferences and allow schools to offer enriched grains, such as white rice or non-whole grain-rich tortillas, while still promoting whole grain-rich foods throughout the school week. This requirement is a minimum standard, not a maximum, and schools may choose to increase whole grain-rich offerings beyond 80 percent. These changes reflect a practical and feasible way to work toward the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ recommendation to increase whole grain consumption.
- How was USDA responsive to stakeholder feedback when making these changes?
USDA received thousands of comments on the whole grains provision, including feedback that whole grains are an important source of fiber and other nutrients. At the same time, some whole grain-rich products are not as widely available or accepted by students as enriched products. USDA recognizes the importance of encouraging increased consumption of whole grain-rich foods while allowing menu planners some flexibility to provide regional and cultural favorites that are not whole grain-rich. Maintaining the whole grain requirement will help meet these preferences and occasionally allow schools to offer enriched grains, such as white rice or non-whole grain-rich tortillas, while still promoting whole grain-rich foods throughout the school week. USDA encourages schools to incorporate whole grains in their menus as often as possible to support children’s health and offers a variety of technical assistance resources to support efforts to offer whole grain-rich foods in the child nutrition programs.