12.13.2010 At a signing ceremony with the First Lady, President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act into law today, Monday, December 13th. Click here for a summary of the bill.
A few of the many highlights for California communities in the legislation:
- $40m each year in additional lunch reimbursement will be available to California schools that meet new standards.
- 700 schools in California will have the opportunity to provide free meals to all students based on new provisions in the law.
- ~500,000 toddler and infants in child care will benefit from improved nutrition standards in Child Care Food Program sites.
- All three million lunch participants should have access to free drinking water during lunch.
This bill represents real progress in nutrition policy. But, it is partially paid for by cutting future CalFresh benefits. Call Congress and the White House to thank them for passing and signing this important bill but also demand that these cuts be restored.
Click here for a before/after elementary school lunch menu
