Stabenow to convene child nutrition reauthorization hearing
June 05, 2014 | 06:03 PM
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., announced today that the committee will hold a hearing Thursday on reauthorization of the child nutrition programs, including the school lunch program.
The hearing, entitled “A National Priority: The Importance of Child Nutrition Programs to our Nation’s Health, Economy and National Security,” will be held in Room 328A of the Russell Senate Office Building at 10 a.m.
The House Appropriations Committee version of the fiscal year 2015 Agriculture appropriations bill includes a provision that would require the Agriculture Department to grant a one-year waiver from the healthier meals rules for schools that say they have lost money on their meals programs for six months.
The Senate Appropriations Committee contains a softer provision, allowing more flexibility in sodium and grains. Both bills are expected to come to the floor this summer.
Stabenow has defended the school meal rules under the 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.
Last June, the House Education and Workforce Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee held a hearing entitled “School Meal Regulations: Discussing the Costs and Consequences for Schools and Students.”
At that hearing, Sandra Ford, then president of the School Nutrition Association, called on Congress to pass permanent changes to some of the rules.
In a press release issued after the hearing, Rep.Todd Rokita, R-Ind., said, “While well-intended, these new regulations have essentially put the federal government in the business of dictating the type, amount, and even color of food that can and cannot be served in school cafeterias.”
“Providing students healthier meals is a laudable goal we all share, but the stringent rules are creating serious headaches for schools and students.”
▪ June 27, 2013 Printed Hearing — School Meal Regulations: Discussing the Costs and Consequences for Schools and Students
▪ — Sandra Ford Testimony
▪ — Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education — June 27, 2013 Hearing Page
The hearing, entitled “A National Priority: The Importance of Child Nutrition Programs to our Nation’s Health, Economy and National Security,” will be held in Room 328A of the Russell Senate Office Building at 10 a.m.
The House Appropriations Committee version of the fiscal year 2015 Agriculture appropriations bill includes a provision that would require the Agriculture Department to grant a one-year waiver from the healthier meals rules for schools that say they have lost money on their meals programs for six months.
The Senate Appropriations Committee contains a softer provision, allowing more flexibility in sodium and grains. Both bills are expected to come to the floor this summer.
Stabenow has defended the school meal rules under the 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.
Last June, the House Education and Workforce Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee held a hearing entitled “School Meal Regulations: Discussing the Costs and Consequences for Schools and Students.”
At that hearing, Sandra Ford, then president of the School Nutrition Association, called on Congress to pass permanent changes to some of the rules.
In a press release issued after the hearing, Rep.Todd Rokita, R-Ind., said, “While well-intended, these new regulations have essentially put the federal government in the business of dictating the type, amount, and even color of food that can and cannot be served in school cafeterias.”
“Providing students healthier meals is a laudable goal we all share, but the stringent rules are creating serious headaches for schools and students.”
▪ June 27, 2013 Printed Hearing — School Meal Regulations: Discussing the Costs and Consequences for Schools and Students
▪ — Sandra Ford Testimony
▪ — Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education — June 27, 2013 Hearing Page
