The release of CT's School Breakfast Report Card and the announcement of a new bill concerning Healthy Food and Beverages in schools put EHC! in the news around the state. The School Breakfast Program has received positive feedback parents and students alike.

You can view the press coverage by clicking here.

EHC!'s 2006 Legislative Agenda focuses on important topics such as childhood nutrition, food stamps, and elderly nutrition programs. Additionally, EHC! supports the creation of a Connecticut earned income tax credit along with items aimed at economic security for our lowest income residents.

The major topics of concern under child nutrition are the School Breakfast Program and initiatives to provide a healthier school environment. EHC!'s agenda also addresses a necessary increase in staffing at the Department of Social Services.

The Summer Food Program bridges the gap in low-income children's access to healthy, well- balanced meals during summer vacation. Less than 30% of children that are receiving free or reduced-price lunch during the school year are receiving the same healthy meals during the summer months.

The Simplified Summer Food Program is currently operating in 26 states. It cuts down on paperwork and simplifies the administration of the program. This letter calls on Congress to appropriate funds so that Connecticut can be a part of the Simplified Summer Food Program.

The President's Fiscal Year 2007 budget proposals make cuts in health, education, and nutrition while tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans continue. This is leaving many American families, especially children and elderly, vulnerable to food insecurity.

The President's proposal would cut food stamps for about 300,000 people in low income working families. This proposal would also leave 40,000 children in need without access to free school meals. The plan is also lacking in financial support of the WIC program resulting in less accessability and decreased quality of client education.

The 2007 budget would also cut all funding for nutritional commodities aimed at low- income seniors and children, affecting more than 400,000 people a month. Funding will also be eliminated from the Community Food and Nutrition Program, which is the leading federally supported program to fight hunger at a local level.

email: smancini@endhungerct.org

phone: (860) 560-2100

web: http://www.endhungerct.org