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Action Requested To Support Ending Childhood Hunger by 2015
PTAs throughout California asked to sign statement of principles
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The Food
Research and Action Center (FRAC) would
like PTAs throughout California to join thousands of groups
nationwide in telling Congress to support strong investments in child nutrition
programs by signing the Statement of Principles for Child Nutrition
Reauthorization. National PTA and state PTAs across the nation have enrolled to
support President Obama's goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015.
California
State PTA joined 70 California organizations in signing onto the Statement of
Principles. Unit, council and district PTAs are now needed to add their voices
and demonstrate statewide support. These principles would improve access, meal
quality and nutrition for millions of children.
California is home to key child nutrition leaders such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
Rep. George Miller, Chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor, and
Committee Ranking Member Howard P. "Buck" McKeon. California has more children
who benefit from federal child nutrition programs than any other state.
Now is
the time to sign the Statement of Principles and show members of Congress that
your own organization supports the Child Nutrition Forum's reauthorization
efforts.
To view the statement and sign on, click here.
PTA: Child Nutrition
and Wellness
Background
Our nation has created a network of successful and cost-effective anti-hunger
programs, which improve the quality of life for millions of Americans. PTA
helped enact the original legislation for the National School Lunch Act in
1946, and has fought to improve anti-hunger and nutrition programs ever since.
Numerous studies have confirmed the success of the federal school meals
programs in improving the nutrition, health and education of children in the
United States.
The
nation is currently faced with a childhood obesity crisis that has reached
epidemic proportions. At the same time, many children who are considered to be
of a healthy weight are suffering from malnutrition, with as few as 2 percent
of them eating a nutritious diet.
Investing
in child nutrition programs cuts future expenses associated with poor nutrition
and low academic achievement. PTA will seek the expansion and improvement of
the National School Lunch Program, National School Breakfast Program, Child and
Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, Special Supplemental Food
Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Nutrition Education and
Training Program, and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. These programs are
administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
PTA Position
PTA supports federal efforts to improve child nutrition and wellness.
Priorities include promoting universal meals programs, updating regulations
governing school meals programs to reflect current science and health trends,
advocating for parent involvement in school wellness councils, and encouraging
parents to play a more active role in the messaging sent to their children
about nutrition and healthy food choices.
PTA
opposes child nutrition block grants and other proposals that would threaten
the availability of funds for programs that feed hungry children. Existing
child nutrition programs promote overall nutrition and wellness, prepare
children for learning, and improve children's school attendance and behavior.
Talking Points
- Millions of
children depend on federal child nutrition programs to provide up to
one-half of their nutrient intake per day.
- Adequate
nutrition improves school attendance, learning, behavior, and
productivity.
- Payments for
school meals go directly to the schools and institutions - not to students
- and provide the basic support needed to operate these programs. Without
this support, schools would not be able to offer the programs, denying
access to all, and harming the neediest children the most.
- School meal
reimbursements have fallen far behind the costs of production and are
inadequate to maintain the high-quality nutrition standards established in
law.
- Regulations
governing school meals programs should reflect current science and health
trends to better address the health and wellness needs of all children.
everychild.onevoice.
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