TAKE ACTION NOW!
FEDERAL LEGISLATION - Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act (CNR)
August/September Update:
The Senate passed their Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) bill August 5th by unanimous consent. The bill contains $4.5 billion for child nutrition over the next 10 years (this is just 6 cents per meal extra per day, and that is not enough!) Now we need to build momentum for the House to pass their version upon return in September, which will be just two weeks before the bill is set to expire.
Unexpectedly, the Senate cut $2.2 billion from SNAP (Food Stamps) in order to pay for the child nutrition bill. We oppose funding cuts from SNAP to pay for the CNR.
SNAP, although not a school or child care based program, is important to achieving the goals for all children to have easy access to healthy food. We are disappointed to see this shift of resources from one vital nutrition program to another, and we have registered that disappointment with our Senators.
I urge you to share your opinion today, with Senator Gillibrand (202) 224-4451 and Senator Schumer 202-224-6542 (if you are from New York State). You can thank them for moving this bill, voice concerns about the funding level and source of the funding (the SNAP/Food Stamps), and share any perspective you have. This is really the last opportunity you will have to have your Senators attention on this bill now that it's passed in the Senate. I urge you to take this opportunity to weigh in about their decisions. For more information you can read Senator Gillibrand's press release.
There is still time to influence House action on CNR and impact the funding and content of the bill.
The House version of CNR invests $8 billion in child nutrition programs (instead of $4.5 billion) and has not targeted
other nutrition programs to pay for it. PLEASE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY to contact your Representative and
ask that they fully fund and pass HR 5504, the Improving Nutrition For America's
Children Act, when they return from recess in September, and that they
do so without cutting funds from other nutrition programs. Please
call your Representative today and ask them to pass the House version with AT LEAST $8
billion in funding, without taking money from SNAP (Food Stamps). Click here for phone numbers. (Note that once
you enter your zip code and address, you will be provided with a link to your
Senators' and Representative’s contact information.) Please also ask that they include the provisions of H.R. 4870 in the bill, to pilot plant-based commodity foods.
This message to the House is truly important. Again, the Senate bill makes only half the investment in child nutrition and cuts SNAP (Food Stamps) to do so. We want the stronger House bill to move forward.
Thank you again for your support for child nutrition. Let's hope we start the new year with at least an $8 billion bill and other vital nutrition programs intact!
New York Residents*, call:
Senator Kirstin Gillibrand: 202-224-4451 (Washington, DC) and 212-688-6262 (NY) - to thank and express concerns
Senator Charles Schumer: 202-224-6542 (Washington, DC) and 212-486-4430 (NY) - to thank and express concerns
Your Congress Person: (for NYS or other states) : Click for phone number and to email - to urge to pass at least $8 billion in funding, without taking money from other important food programs, and include provisions of H.R. 4870 in the bill.
* If you live outside of NYS, you can contact your Senators here.
After you call, please follow up with an email letter to your Senators and Congressperson. We want to flood their telephone lines and email boxes!
You can see a sample letter here. You can get the email address or contact forms for your Senators or Congress Person by clicking on the links above.
When you are done doing this be sure to share this link with all of your friends, relatives, and colleagues who care about this issue.
Please also email us by clicking here to let us know you called.
We are part of a strong coalition called the NYC Alliance for Child Nutrition Authorization. Check out their website for a much more thorough review of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act.
STATE LEGISLATION
New York Coalition for Healthy School Food has worked closely with the NYS Governor Paterson’s office to advance New York State legislation to improve all food in K-12 schools. Over the last several years legislation has been voted on but not passed, and all versions have contained significant compromises that benefit the food industry.
NYCHSF believes that the following are critical to the success of state legislation to improve school foods:We do this by:
 Offer a whole foods plant-based (bean, lentil, tofu) entrée each day as a healthy option Offer an enriched non-dairy milk option to any students who request it Eliminate artificial ingredients from meals and all other foods offered in schools (artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners) Eliminate all added transfats Eliminate all deep or flash fried products For grain products, offer only 100% whole grains Reduce added oils and sugars.- Focus on whole plant-based foods including fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains
- Offer nutrition education which is not influenced by the food industry and is science based
- Restrict competitive foods to only fruits, vegetables, legumes, all natural trail mixes, and other health supporting items
- Encourage farm to school programs with economic incentives
- Provide reimbursements that provide enough funding so cafeterias are not dependent on a la carte sales
While schools currently do not receive nearly enough funding to provide meals that meet these requirements, we should strive to do what is best for children, and the recommendations above reflect current nutrition knowledge. We must make children’s health a priority. Since habits are developed early in life, and because schools are the place where children go to learn, it is imperative that schools set the best example and serve only health supporting foods.
Take Action:
There is currently no movement on NY State legislation to improve school food. We are working to get legislation reintroduced. Contact Governor Paterson's office to request legistation that addresses the above points.
LOCAL ACTION
While federal and state legislation would help to prevent massive hours of efforts across the state and the country, as of yet meaningful legislation has not been passed to address meals and competitive foods. At the local level, you can get involved in your schools Local Wellness Policy effort.
Each school that participates in the federal school meal program must have a federally mandated Local Wellness Policy, which includes ongoing efforts to ensure implementation. Many schools have committees that address the policies mandates, while many other schools do not. Creating change in school only happens because people like you who care get involved.
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Ted Barnett, MD, makes a statement of concern at the 2008 NYS PTA Convention
Stepping Up to A Healthier Harlem Conference Attendee signs up for the NYCHSF email list
Real Food Display at Baum Forum Conference |
