National school nutrition meeting occurs in Chicago

Next week will be a busy week in the Windy City, as 6,000 school nutrition professionals representing all U.S. states will be in Chicago to talk about nutritional standards in public schools, among other things.

A year ago, a federal law was enacted to require public school districts to have a wellness policy drafted and implemented (there was leeway in the details, of course). I'm sure policies will be talked about at the meeting, along with some being winners and some not so much.

The real meat (no pun intended) of the meeting will be to see which states continue to have junk food and such served at public schools -- and why that is still happening. Costs are always a barrier, but with the health of millions of children at stake, harsh discussion is always warranted in this arena.