The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is Now Law!
Posted by Pat Nicklin on Monday, December 13, 2010
This morning, at Harriet Tubman Elementary School in District, President Barack Obama signed into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
The bill reauthorizes the federal child nutrition programs, some that have been in place since the 1960s – school breakfast and lunch, out-of-school meals, and WIC (Women Infant and Children). But this bill goes way beyond just reauthorization. For the first time since the 1970’s, it adds 6 cents for every school meal lunch reimbursement.
Six cents may not sound like much, but it’s a huge difference for schools who need every penny. It provides funding for expanding a program to bring free suppers to low-income children and helps build access to every child nutrition program. It addresses child obesity as well as hunger – two sides of the same coin. It’s a good, solid bill and critically important to Share Our Strength because many of the bill’s provisions form the basis for our organizational strategy to end childhood hunger.
I was honored to be there representing Share Our Strength’s supporters and staff, who worked so tirelessly on this legislation over the last 5 years. I was seated in the audience with the other nonprofit representatives, USDA staff, and congressional staff, many of whom I’ve seen in many rooms, on the Hill and off.
If you remember your sixth-grade history and government class, you’ll know that the founders made the process for passing legislation especially difficult. I’m pretty sure Madison and Jefferson would be surprised at the rancor and discourse of today’s legislature. But in the midst of a recession, as the deficit climbs, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 was passed, with bi-partisan support, at $4.5 billion. That had a lot to do with the persistence and vision of Share Our Strength and its partners.
In her speech today, the First Lady said that the most important measure of our country is its ability to make our children healthy and safe. All of you who support our work and are our arms and legs in the field should be proud that you helped pass a bill that will provide the children who needs us the most with that assurance.
December 13, 2010 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: Child Nutrition Reauthorization, no kid hungry
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