School meals debate intensifies; House floor action nears
June 10, 2014 | 05:57 PM
The lobbying over whether to keep the healthier school meal rules imposed under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act is intensifying as the House prepares to take up the fiscal year 2015 Agriculture appropriations bill this week.
The White House has issued a policy statement opposing the bill, and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., who supports the current rules, has announced a witness list for a hearing Thursday.
In addition, First Lady Michelle Obama, who campaigned for the passage of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act and is now defending it, has invited some supportive school food service directors to help harvest the White House kitchen garden on Thursday with the help of school children. (See stories below.)
The School Nutrition Association, which represents school food service directors and the companies that make foods for schools, is urging House members to maintain the provision in the bill that would require the Agriculture Department to grant a waiver from the healthier meals rules to any school that says it has lost money on its lunch program for six months.
SNA argues that children are rejecting some of the foods and the rules in effect, and that those that will go into effect, including new standards for food sold in vending machines, are raising havoc with school food service budgets.
But a wide range of nutrition and medical groups and 19 former SNA presidents oppose the waiver or any roll back of the provisions, and are urging members to oppose the waiver, perhaps through an amendment to strike it.
That includes the United Fresh Produce Association, because the waiver would also exempt schools from the requirement for children to take fruits and vegetables at each meal.
The National Education Association, a major teachers’ union, sent House members a letter today supporting the current meal standards and opposing the changes.
“These common-sense requirements are essential to ensuring all children a healthy and successful start in life, particularly those whose families cannot afford to provide fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods at home on a regular basis,” the NEA wrote.
“The benefits and cost-savings to our children and our nation in the long-run will be significant,” the group said. “We urge you to OPPOSE provisions in the FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would undermine these important nutrition standards and SUPPORT any efforts that would restore them.”
First Focus Campaign for Children, a national bipartisan advocacy organization focused on making children and their families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions, also wrote members a letter urging them to maintain the current standards.
Also, a news conference has been scheduled for Wednesday featuring House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Sam Farr, D-Calif., House Education and the Workforce Committee ranking member George Miller, D-Calif., Rep. Rosa De Lauro, D-Conn., chef Tom Colicchio, the makers of the film “Fed Up,” and Ashley Giglio, a parent and former school teacher.
▪ School Nutrition Association — Protect School Meals
▪ First Focus Campaign for Children — Letter to Rep. Boehner
The White House has issued a policy statement opposing the bill, and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., who supports the current rules, has announced a witness list for a hearing Thursday.
In addition, First Lady Michelle Obama, who campaigned for the passage of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act and is now defending it, has invited some supportive school food service directors to help harvest the White House kitchen garden on Thursday with the help of school children. (See stories below.)
The School Nutrition Association, which represents school food service directors and the companies that make foods for schools, is urging House members to maintain the provision in the bill that would require the Agriculture Department to grant a waiver from the healthier meals rules to any school that says it has lost money on its lunch program for six months.
SNA argues that children are rejecting some of the foods and the rules in effect, and that those that will go into effect, including new standards for food sold in vending machines, are raising havoc with school food service budgets.
But a wide range of nutrition and medical groups and 19 former SNA presidents oppose the waiver or any roll back of the provisions, and are urging members to oppose the waiver, perhaps through an amendment to strike it.
That includes the United Fresh Produce Association, because the waiver would also exempt schools from the requirement for children to take fruits and vegetables at each meal.
The National Education Association, a major teachers’ union, sent House members a letter today supporting the current meal standards and opposing the changes.
“These common-sense requirements are essential to ensuring all children a healthy and successful start in life, particularly those whose families cannot afford to provide fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods at home on a regular basis,” the NEA wrote.
“The benefits and cost-savings to our children and our nation in the long-run will be significant,” the group said. “We urge you to OPPOSE provisions in the FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would undermine these important nutrition standards and SUPPORT any efforts that would restore them.”
First Focus Campaign for Children, a national bipartisan advocacy organization focused on making children and their families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions, also wrote members a letter urging them to maintain the current standards.
Also, a news conference has been scheduled for Wednesday featuring House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Sam Farr, D-Calif., House Education and the Workforce Committee ranking member George Miller, D-Calif., Rep. Rosa De Lauro, D-Conn., chef Tom Colicchio, the makers of the film “Fed Up,” and Ashley Giglio, a parent and former school teacher.
▪ School Nutrition Association — Protect School Meals
▪ First Focus Campaign for Children — Letter to Rep. Boehner
