Comment from Pamela Farrar

I have review the proposed changes and my only concern is in the offer vs serve area.While I understand the desire to put healthy foods in front of kids to eat, I have seen the waste from forcing them to take those selections. Before the offer vs serve cam along we saw whole apples being thrown in the trash because they HAD to take a fruit. Milks being thrown away UNOPENED because they had to take it. Since going to teh offer vs serve, we have seen so much less waste. Currently, in our offer vs serve method, at breakfast kids are required to take 1 main item, and 1 other choice. They have available to choose from fresh fruit, main item, milk product, juice product... they can take 1 from each if they like, but they are REQUIRED to take, at least, 1 main and 1 other thing... I see waste even in just this simple request, so if you make yet a further requirement of what they HAVE to take, there goes more $$ and product down the tube. I so wish that I could get people (parents, students, and beaurocrats alike)to understand balance. We have come a long way in the school food service industry. Our meals are healthier and more colorful and still offer a WIDE ragnge of choices. It CAN be done, and we are doing it, but regulating what kids HAVE TO TAKE is not going to help educate them or make them any healthier. Serving low fat, low sugar, high fiber, fresher foods is where it is at for sure, but leave the choices to them.