A Wisconsin school nutrition coordinator traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for school meal programs.
School nutrition programs face challenges with tight budgets, operating on less than $5 per meal.
Advocates are seeking clarity on new federal dietary guidelines and increased funding for healthier, from-scratch meals.
In her day to day, Kaitlin Tauriainen usually plans school meals and sets lunch budgets. But this week, she’s helping plan national policy and set federal legislative agendas.
Tauriainen, a child nutrition coordinator for the Ashwaubenon School District, headed to Washington, D.C., March 8-10 to help lawmakers understand what she and her fellow nutritionists need. It’s her fifth year going, but this trip comes after the release of new federal dietary guidelines, which have a significant impact on school meals.
With limited funding and healthy eating top of mind, Tauriainen said she wants to make sure lawmakers understand the challenges school nutrition systems face, so she can better meet the needs of Ashwaubenon’s students.
Ashwaubenon schools nutrition chief pushes for clearer meal guidelines
