- Dozens of national groups sent a letter requesting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Equity Commission to address “dietary racism” in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Under the NSLP, the USDA reimburses schools if they serve dairy milk at every meal. The agency allows a substitute only with a written statement from the student’s parent, and in many cases, a doctor’s note. The groups stated that the policy is “inherently inequitable and socially unjust” because children of color are more likely to be lactose intolerant. They further wrote, “It is patently discriminatory to require a doctor’s note for a nearly ubiquitous condition.” (Article here)
August 10, 2022
Inequities and SDOH