House Approves Child Nutrition Act

December 2, 2010

HOUSE APPROVES CHILD NUTRITION ACT
Carson votes for bill to make significant improvements to child nutrition programs

WASHINGTON D.C. - In an effort to help children gain the nutrition they need to be healthy and successful, Congressman André Carson today voted to approve the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

The legislation will provide healthier meals to 31 million children with over $300 million being sent to states - including $7.8 million to Indiana - to improve the nutritional quality of meals served in schools.

"These enhancements are especially important for the growing number of children who arrive at school hungry and go home to little or nothing on the dinner table," said Congressman Carson. "Hunger is a barrier to learning. By expanding the school meal program and improving the quality of the food we serve during the school day, we are preparing our kids to excel in the classroom."

Passage of the legislation today by the House will send the bill to the President's desk for his signature. The Senate had previously passed this bipartisan bill by unanimous consent on August 5.

Highlights of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

• Add approximately new 115,000 students to school meal programs

• Connects an additional 4,500 students per year with school meals

• Enhances universal meal access for eligible children in high poverty communities

• Provides an additional 21 million meals to at-risk children nationwide

• Increases the federal reimbursement rate for school lunches for the first time in over 30 years for districts who comply with federal nutrition standards

• Establishes national nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools throughout the day

• Connects more children to healthy produce from local farms

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House Approves Child Nutrition Act