Action Alert: Child Nutrition Act - Only Days Left!

For an update on the battle over the federal school unch legislation, read House Democrats battle White House over child nutrition on CNN's politics blog.

Then, read this action alert from the Healthy Schools Campaign and send a letter.

Dear HSC Friend:

This is a critical time for school food policy and resources. We need our leaders in the House of Representatives to pass their bill for reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act before the current act expires this Thursday, Sept. 30.

Please take a moment to send a letter urging your representative to recognize the urgency of the moment and take swift action to pass the reauthorization bill, The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act.


While the current version of the bill does not include adequate funding to fundamentally transform school food, it does have the potential to bring significant benefits for children’s health for generations to come by putting health-promoting policies in place now. It includes many policies that address the dual challenges of obesity and hunger faced by far too many children across the U.S., and small increases in the reimbursements schools receive for the meals they provide.

This is not a perfect bill. It still leaves schools with very limited resources to provide school food, and we urge Congress to continue working to find funding for the bill without taking funding from food stamp benefits. However, the uncertain political climate, coupled with historic reliance on the school food program among children and families, compels us to call for action by the House before the election recess.
Please urge your representative to take action to address childhood hunger and obesity by passing the reauthorization bill before the current act expires this week. Thank you for being part of this effort.

Sincerely,
Rochelle Davis
Founding Executive Director

 Or, act through the Center for Science in the Public Interest:

A few groups are urging Congress to vote against the child nutrition bill when it comes up for a vote this week.  I find this astonishing, and hope you will work with us to ensure the bill passes.
The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act would get junk food and soda out of vending machines, improve the nutrition quality to school lunches, and expand access to school meals for low-income kids.

It will take just a minute to write to your U.S. Representative, which will help counter the misinformation buzz in Washington and improve the nutrition and health of millions of children.

Thank you!
Margo Wootan
Director, Nutrition Policy
Center for Science in the Public Interest

Sara