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Farm to School and Child Nutrition Reauthorization
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Child Nutrition Reauthorization
Every five years, the federal Child Nutrition bills, including the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act of 1946, are up for review during the reauthorization process. These two bills, as well as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), are currently set to expire on September 30, 2009. The reauthorization process allows for a reconsideration of all programs, providing an opportunity to assess what works well, what isn't working, and ways that these programs can better serve the more than 30 million children eating school meals every day.
Farm to School
Farm to School connects school cafeterias with local producers to bring students fresh, healthy foods while supporting the local economy. CFSC is partnering with the Center Food & Justice to head the National Farm to School Network, which is coordinating policy efforts around Farm to School issues.
For More Information:
FARM TO SCHOOL ACTION ALERT!
Do you want a healthier America?
Update 7/22/10 - Home Stretch for Child Nutrition Reauthorization
This week, the Community Food Security Coalition joined 127 other national organizations urging Congress to pass a strong child nutrition bill [PDF]. This legislation would strengthen programs like school meals, WIC, and summer and afterschool feeding programs, and provide mandatory funding for farm to school programs. Congress is poised to make significant progress against child hunger and childhood obesity by increasing children's access to these important food and nutrition programs. But Congress is running out of legislative calendar days to bring the Child Nutrition Bill to the floor and complete the reauthorization before it expires on September 30th.
Please take a few minutes of your time to help guarantee Farm to School programs and Child Nutrition receive the funding they need across the country. Read the full action alert for details.
Act now. Call or email your members of Congress with a simple message:
America's children can't wait. Pass Child Nutrition Reauthorization now!
- Email or Make a Call: dial (202) 225-3121 and ask to be directed to your Senator or Representative's office. Look up your Senator or Representative online to get their email address.
The message is simple:
"With 1 in 4 kids at-risk of hunger and 1 in 3 obese or overweight, the time for strong action is now. Congress must pass a robust, well-funded child nutrition bill this summer to help reach the national goals to end child hunger by 2015 and solve child obesity in a generation. The health and future of America's children depend on it. Please bring the child nutrition bill (S. 3307/H.R. 5504) to the floor."
To learn more about how Farm to School programs can benefit your community and for more information on our other CNR priorities, visit the One Tray website.
How to Get Involved Over Recess
Both the Senate and House of Representatives will be on recess from August 9 to September 12, 2010.
There are many ways that you can get involved during Congressional recess to get your legislators to support $50 million in mandatory funding for farm to school programs in Section 122 of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act. Every effort counts, from setting up a site visit to calling your Senators and Representatives. Here is a list of ways to get involved:
- Set up a site visit: Tips [PDF]
- E-mail or fax your Senators and Representatives: Tips
- Call your Senators and Representatives: Tips [PDF]
- Schedule a meeting with your Senators, Representatives, or their staff people: Tips [PDF]
- Attend a public town hall meeting occurring during recess in your district and voice your concern. For more information about the dates and times of these meetings, consult your Senator's and Representative's websites.
- See the Advocacy Toolkit for additional information on getting involved with the US political process.
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