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USDA sets new nutrition guidelines for school meals

By Farms.com

The USDA has unveiled new, improved nutrition standards for school meals, with a phased implementation beginning in Fall 2025. These changes are designed to better align with scientific dietary recommendations and enhance the nutritional quality of meals provided to nearly 30 million children daily.

Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that the updated standards would not only reduce the intake of added sugars and sodium but also maintain essential nutrients in school diets. The introduction of these standards is a key component of the Administration's agenda to end hunger and reduce dietary-related diseases by 2030.

The specifics of the new regulations include setting the first-ever national limits on added sugars in school meals, particularly targeting sugary breakfast items. Flavored milks will also see a reduction in added sugars, with significant participation from milk processors to support this transition.

Sodium reductions will be streamlined to a single target by 2027, simplifying previous proposals and allowing schools and suppliers adequate preparation time. The standards for whole grains will remain unchanged, continuing to encourage a variety of whole and enriched grains.

Additionally, the USDA is making it simpler for schools to support local food economies and offer diverse protein options, including plant-based and culturally diverse foods, starting in 2024. These efforts are supported by grants and initiatives that equip school districts with the resources needed to meet these standards, ensuring that school meals are both nutritious and appealing to students.

This overhaul of school meal standards represents a significant advancement in public health nutrition, aiming to provide healthier meal options to students across the United States while supporting educational and health outcomes.


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Demco Dual Aguer Grain Carts — Fire Safety Systems, Right or Left-Handed Unload, and More!

Video: Demco Dual Aguer Grain Carts — Fire Safety Systems, Right or Left-Handed Unload, and More!


Demco's dual auger grain cart is designed for unloading efficiency, operator visibility, and safety in the field.

This dual-auger design features both an unload auger and a floor auger for enhanced grain cleanout and consistent flow, and the 22-inch unload auger is capable of moving up to 600 bushels per minute.

Farmers can also choose between right or left-handed unload options—right-handed unload improves visibility from the tractor cab. A new design allows both vertical and horizontal movement for precise grain placement during unloading.

Another key feature is the built-in fire safety system; a 300-gallon onboard water tank with a hose reel that provides field-ready fire suppression capability.

These dual auger grain carts are available in 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700, and 2200 bushel sizes.