We’re not so hot on teaching evolution, history and a few other things in Arkansas, but, by golly, our school cafeterias are getting up to speed. A new study gives Arkansas a B+, third highest grade in the country, on its school nutrition policies. (Only 13 states scored better than C.) This rating considers food served in lunch rooms, policies on vending machines, etc.

There’s a ton of data in the report. One morsel concerns our standards for meals served in public schools under the government-subsidized meal program. The rules are:

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Reimbursable meals in all grade levels and a la carte items in middle and high schools must meet the following nutrition standards:

* All foods sold or offered to students can contain no more than 23 grams of fat/serving.

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* Flavored milks may contain no more than 30 grams total sugars/8 ounce serving.

* Fruits and/or vegetables should be offered daily at all points of service.

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* French fries and fried potato products are limited by portion size and frequency served/week.

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