House Passes Child Nutrition Reauthorization

Today, the US House of Representatives passed S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act by a vote of 264 to 157. The School Nutrition Association (SNA) endorsed the child nutrition reauthorization legislation, which will allow school meal programs to offer a greater variety of nutritious foods in school cafeterias nationwide. The bill is now being sent to President Barack Obama for his signature. "Members of Congress, the Administration and the First Lady should be recognized for their tireless efforts to improve children's access to healthy, nourishing meals during these tough economic times," said SNA President Nancy Rice, M.Ed., RD, LD, SNS, State Director of the Georgia Department of Education, School Nutrition Division. "The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act gives schools critical resources to reach more children with healthy school meals and to serve more fresh produce, whole grains and low-fat dairy products in cafeterias. By establishing nutrition standards for all foods served or sold in schools, the legislation ensures that students will receive a consistent message about healthy choices." The legislation contains other critical improvements to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs that SNA has advocated for, including the creation of standards and a certification process for school foodservice professionals and the establishment of guidelines on which local school expenses (such as electricity, telephones and janitorial services) can be charged to school nutrition programs. SNA opposed the bill's use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds to offset the cost of child nutrition reauthorization, but the Administration has offered assurances that they will work to recover funds for SNAP. SNA will be closely following the Administration's outreach to members of Congress to address this critical issue. For a detailed summary of the legislation, please visit this link, Summary of S-3307 (pdf)