Democrats Fight to Safeguard Healthy Meal Standards for Nation’s Children

WASHINGTON – The Committee on Education and the Workforce held a full committee hearing today entitled, “Child Nutrition Assistance: Are Federal Rules and Regulations Serving the Best Interests of Schools and Families,” to discuss the continued implementation of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA). Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) discussed the importance of safeguarding the healthier standards for child nutrition programs. 

 

“The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act has given us the opportunity to make reforms that improve the nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children,” said Ranking Member Scott (D-VA). “As we address the implementation of this law, it is important to remember that the guidelines are evidence-based; they are not based on politics or corporate bottom-lines. Our nutrition programs are also powerful tools in providing greater economic opportunities for at-risk youth, helping them break free of the tragic cycle of poverty. It is critical that we work with schools to ensure they have the support they need to be successful. When schools are sufficiently supported, our children have the foundation they need to learn and grow.”  

 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization at the United Nations, one-third of children in the United States are obese and one in five children live with food insecurity. For many children, their only access to nutritious meals is at school, through the school meal programs. Today, over 90 percent of school systems have reported that they are in compliance with the new federal standards. Protecting the progress of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act will ensure that all of our nation’s children have access to the nutritious foods needed to stay healthy and to keep them engaged in the classroom.   

 

The Honorable Tom Vilsack, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, testified before the committee on the importance of maintaining healthy meals for our nation’s children. The Secretary has led the Department’s implementation of the new standards. 

 

“Today, children across the nation are benefitting from nutritional improvements in meals and other food sold in schools, better access to meals through the Community Eligibility Provision, and the expansion of snacks and suppers for at-risk children through the Child and Adult Care Food Program,” said Secretary Vilsack in his written testimony. “As Congress begins considering reauthorization of the child nutrition programs and WIC, it is important to recognize the tremendous achievements that have been made as a result of the HHFKA, and ensure that we stay on a path to continue to strengthen these programs, which are critical to supporting the health and well-being of America’s children.” 

 

Through the first federal child nutrition program—the National School Lunch Act of 1946—Congress recognized that feeding hungry children was not just a moral imperative, but also an imperative for the health and security of our nation. Democrats on the Committee emphasized that any changes that weaken the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act are ones that would weaken our nation’s economy, national security and classrooms. This is the third hearing the committee has held on child nutrition in three months. 

 

For Secretary Vilsack’s full prepared testimony, click here.

 

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