USDA Proposes To ‘Limit’ Potato Products In School Lunch Programs

A USDA proposal to limit the number of potato based products in student school lunch programs has caused an uproar with Congressional leaders from potato producing states.

Apparently the USDA considers the potato to be a "starchy vegetable."  A bi-partisan group of legislators from Maine, Idaho, Colorado and other large potato producing states are slamming the USDA plan, saying the potato is a nutritious, some call necessary, part of the diet.  They argue any fat or other dietary issues from potatoes has to do with the preparation.  These Congressional leaders say school lunch programs are already designed to provide food that is high in nutrition, and with the recent bans on trans-fats,  serving potatoes is an even better idea for school lunches. USDA officials, in their usual meddling methodology, claim limiting potato products are another way to lower the caloric intake of schoolkids.