Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts was aghast on Tuesday that the Trump administration was supposedly “appearing to target both the former administration” by “taking steps to roll back Michelle Obama’s healthy food initiative for kids.” The on-screen headline during the ABC report blared: “White House Scales Back School Lunch Guidelines; Is Trump Targeting Michelle Obama’s Legacy?”
Correspondent Cecilia Vega explained: “Yeah, Robin, this is coming from the new Agriculture Secretary, Sonny Perdue. He says that students essentially aren’t eating the food, they don’t like it. Cafeterias and schools have complained about it. So, hence, these changes.” She noted the modest changes to the onerous regulations: “They would relax whole grain requirements. They allow 1% fat flavored milk back into school cafeterias. And then they relax these sodium limits...”
The reporter concluded: “Sonny Perdue says this isn’t essentially about rolling back Michelle Obama’s plan, Robin. They say this is about slowing that process down.”
While NBC’s Today and CBS This Morning didn’t accuse Trump of “targeting” the former First Lady’s “legacy,” both morning shows joined ABC in worrying that the policy was being changed. “Here’s some important news for parents this morning. The Trump administration now rolling back some school lunch rules that had been championed by former First Lady Michelle Obama,” warned Today co-host Matt Lauer.
On CBS, co-host Norah O’Donnell proclaimed: “The Trump administration is defending new less strict guidelines for school lunches....The changes partially roll back healthy eating standards championed by former First Lady Michelle Obama.” The on-screen headline read: “Off the Menu; President Rolls Back Obama School Lunch Standards.”
In 2015, even The New York Times described why significant changes needed to be made to the regulations imposed by the Obama administration.
Here are transcripts of the May 2 reports on all three network morning shows:
Good Morning America
7:06 AM ET
ROBIN ROBERTS: Now to the White House appearing to target both the former administration and big banks. Our Senior White House Correspondent Cecilia Vega joins us now. And Cecilia, let’s start with the Trump administration taking steps to roll back Michelle Obama’s healthy food initiative for kids.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: White House Scales Back School Lunch Guidelines; Is Trump Targeting Michelle Obama’s Legacy?]
CECILIA VEGA: Yeah, Robin, this is coming from the new Agriculture Secretary, Sonny Perdue. He says that students essentially aren’t eating the food, they don’t like it. Cafeterias and schools have complained about it. So, hence, these changes.
Let’s take a look at exactly what these new rules would do. They would relax whole grain requirements. They allow 1% fat flavored milk back into school cafeterias. And then they relax these sodium limits, meaning that the limits stay where they are, they don’t go down over time as they would have under Michelle Obama’s plan. These rules take effect in the next school year.
Sonny Perdue says this isn’t essentially about rolling back Michelle Obama’s plan, Robin. They say this is about slowing that process down.
(...)
Today
7:15 AM ETMATT LAUER: Here’s some important news for parents this morning. The Trump administration now rolling back some school lunch rules that had been championed by former First Lady Michelle Obama.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: School Lunch Rules Loosened; New Standards Take Effect in the Fall]
The program required more fruits, veggies, and whole grains, but many school districts were complaining that healthy foods were ending up in the trash. Well, under the new standards, schools won’t have to cut the salt in meals just yet. They’ll also keep the current whole grain requirements and not demand that all pastas and breads go whole grain. Schools could also serve 1% milk instead of the non-fat now required. These new rules will take effect in the fall.
CBS This Morning
7:18 AM ETNORAH O’DONNELL: The Trump administration is defending new less strict guidelines for school lunches. The federal nutrition standards unveiled yesterday allow schools to serve fewer whole grains, 1% flavored milk can be used instead of non-fat. The changes partially roll back healthy eating standards championed by former First Lady Michelle Obama.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Off the Menu; President Rolls Back Obama School Lunch Standards]
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is also delaying a mandate to lower sodium in lunches.
SONNY PERDUE: We’re not winding back any nutritional standards at all. We’re giving these professionals, these food service professionals, the flexibility to move as we get a healthier generation.
O’DONNELL: Alright, now the changes will go into effect next school year.
