A plan to encourage schools to serve healthier meals emerged last week from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is the first step in a comprehensive effort to improve childhood nutrition.

The USDA is seeking public comment on new standards for school lunches and breakfasts. The goal is to provide more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat milk, while cutting calories, sodium and saturated fats.

Many school lunch programs have already embraced a healthier approach, but a national commitment to good nutrition is long overdue. It’s a long-term investment in good health.

Almost 32 percent of school-age children are now overweight or obese, according to the USDA, and this growing problem increases the prevalence of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type-2 diabetes.

The proposed standards may be challenged as too expensive or, as Sarah Palin claimed, an example of nanny-state interference in personal freedom. However, providing cafeteria servings of fruit and vegetables is neither overly fancy nor coercive. Students can always bring their own lunches, but providing high-quality institutional meals is simply the government’s duty.

The department’s proposed standards are the result of a bipartisan initiative passed by Congress in December. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act also has money earmarked for the training of cafeteria staff and to expand breakfast and after-school feeding programs for needy children.

The bill also encourages expanded use of local farm produce in school meals, an approach that will help farms, and put more fresh vegetables on lunch trays.

The proposed standards  are based on the latest available federal nutrition guidelines. Most adults could benefit from a change as well.

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Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.