School Nutrition Program Gets Signature

 School Nutrition Program Gets Signature. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.

Yesterday morning the President and the First Lady took part in the signing of the Healthy, Hungry Free Kids Act of 2010

OBAMA: At a very basic level, this act is about doing what’s right for our children.  Right now, across the country, too many kids don’t have access to school meals.  And often, the food that’s being offered isn’t as healthy or as nutritious as it should be.   That’s part of the reason why one in three children in America today are either overweight or obese.

The First Lady had the opportunity to discuss the White House garden and other projects being started around the country.

MRS. OBAMA: So with everything that all of you are doing to give these children a healthy start in life, you are fulfilling the mission of this legislation every single day.  That’s why we’re here.  So I want to thank you all, all of our partners, for what you’ve done, not just in hosting us here today but in making sure that we’re doing the right thing by our kids.  

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack held a press call later along with celebrity chef Rachael Ray to discuss the bill.

VISACK: This bill will give the USDA authority to set nutritional standards for foods that are regularly sold in schools during the school day including vending machines, in the à la carte line and in school stores which is an important effort to bring consistency with a nutrition message. For the first time in over 30 years the bill will provide the first real reimbursement rate increase for school lunches and school breakfasts and this will allow schools to better able access healthier foods, more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy all of which is very important in terms of dealing with the obesity issue and hunger issue which America’s children are facing.

Rachel Ray has been a big supporter of this legislation and says this was an important step.

RAY: And to see things like $40-million over 10 years to bring the farm and the local foods back into the schools that;s just fantastic news for the economy and for all of our communities, to give that connection to the kids of where they come from and to be literally eating off the land in their own community, it’s just a big deal I’m so thrilled to be a part of the process.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.