Congress is working on reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, the major federal legislation that determines school food policy and resources. As the Act is reauthorized only once every five years, this is an important opportunity to shape the future of school food, particularly in light of First Lady Michelle Obama’s call to end childhood obesity in a generation.

HSC is advocating for a reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act that makes student health a priority by providing increased funding for better school food.

The Act was originally scheduled for reauthorization in September of 2009. However, the school food program was instead temporarily extended through the Agriculture Appropriations Bill, which provided extra time and funding for several new programs, but did not fundamentally shift the program or fund healthier school food.

The Senate has passed their bill for the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization, and a bill in the House of Representatives has made it through committee. Both bills include many health-promoting policy provisions, though neither provides funding at the level proposed by Pres. Obama in his budget, or at a level that makes fundamental change for healthy school food.. HSC is advocating for a timely passage of a well-funded Child Nutrition Act to make kids’ health a priority. Please join us.

For more detail and updates, be sure to check out the Child Nutrition Act section of HSC's blog »

Upcoming Opportunity

As the 2010 reauthorization is underway, advocates have a meaningful opportunity to voice support for healthy school food. We urge you to contact your Congressional leaders to let them know that child nutrition is an important priority.

Supporting Research

Research continues to show the importance of adequate funding for healthy school food. A USDA study (conducted before recent spikes in food costs) shows that federal funding covers only 82 percent of the cost of providing school meals. Funding for school food increased only 3 percent last year, while food prices rose dramatically: milk prices went up 17 percent, bread prices went up 12 percent.

Research also shows the value of food service directors’ efforts to provide healthy choices. The annual survey of the School Nutrition Association found that "although rising food, labor and indirect costs are significant challenges for school nutrition programs, healthy food and beverage items continue to increase in popularity and participation is increasing; nearly half of respondents report increased overall lunch and breakfast average daily participation in the 2007-2008 school year."

Raise Your Voice

This reauthorization offers a tremendous opportunity to create a future for school food in which fresh, healthy meals are the norm and all children have access to the type of comprehensive nutrition education that creates healthy habits for a lifetime.

Please join us in taking action for a healthy reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.

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