Congress faces divisive issues this month, but the lame duck session has a rare opportunity to achieve bipartisanship by passing a piece of legislation almost everyone believes in.
The bill, aimed at improving school lunches and child nutrition programs, has already passed unanimously in the Senate. Now it deserves approval by the House of Representatives.
It takes a comprehensive approach to childhood nutrition, addressing a pair of problems that often go together, a lack of nutritious food in many homes, and the growing U.S. incidence of childhood obesity.
The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act seeks to banish junk food and sugary drinks from school cafeterias and vending machines. It would provide $4.5 billion over 10 years, and its goals include training cafeteria staff and helping schools prepare menus that include more whole grains and fresh vegetables. Encouraging healthy eating at school would go a long way toward encouraging good habits, good nutrition and good health.
The legislation also aims to expand enrollment by eligible students in breakfast and after-school feeding programs. Since students consume a substantial proportion of their daily calories at school, the cafeteria is the best place to encourage a healthy diet and prevent hunger among the nation’s 31 million children.
The bill also seeks to expand use of local farm produce in school meals, an approach that will help to sustain small farms, reduce energy consumption and put more fresh vegetables on lunch trays.
The bill has the support of a broad coalition of interest groups, including the national PTA, the American Heart Association, and leading food and beverage companies.
Republican support in the Senate came as part of a bargain that the legislation would not increase the deficit. The cost of the program would be offset by cutting a projected increase in food stamp benefits. Those benefits are needed as well, but President Obama has pledged to find another source of funding for them.
This is legislation that the next Congress might be pleased to claim, but the quicker it is passed, the quicker its initiatives can be put to work. A good national nutrition program will contribute to the nation’s health, and by sharpening students focus on classwork, it is likely to improve learning as well.
— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.
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