Our Kids Can't Wait

Fund and pass a robust, well-funded Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) this summer! That’s the message that members of Congress should continue to hear as they go on summer break.

Both the Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee have passed a child nutrition bill that take steps in the right direction. Now, the bills - Senate bill S3307 and HR5504 in the House - need to be considered by the full Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. While neither may be considered perfect, if a child nutrition bill is not voted on and passed this summer, we risk losing historic investments and improvements for child nutrition programs aimed at reducing obesity and ending hunger. Schools will miss out on millions of dollars in meal reimbursements, and the opportunity to improve the nutritional quality of food available in school, including getting unhealthy food out of vending machines.

Please Help Today
Action for Healthy Kids joined other advocates in this ad in Roll Call, a leading Capitol Hill publication. Now, here are three ways you can let your voice be heard.
1) Join the nationwide "Call-in to Congress and the White House" before the end of July when Congress adjourns for summer recess. Call toll-free, 1-866-277-7617, to connect to your Representative and Senators. You can also use this number to call the White House. Urge your Members of Congress and President Obama to pass a robust CNR bill before the end of the 111th Congress. Members of Congress need to press House and Senate leadership to make CNR a "must pass" priority for this year. (Thanks to Voices for America's Children for use of their toll-free number).
2) Schedule district appointments now. Your legislators are coming home and aren’t scheduled to return to Washington until after Labor Day. Now’s a great time to meet with them whether through a meeting or site visit at your school, agency or program.  Find contact information here.
3) Below you can access model letters to copy, adapt and email to your Senators and Representative urging them to work with their respective leadership to move child nutrition to the floor, to ensure adequate funding is in place, and to pass a bill this summer. Find contact information here.

This legislation, spelling out our federal child nutrition programs and setting funding levels for those programs, was up for reauthorization last September, but because it did not make it to the floors of Congress in time, it was extended for one year. That year ends September 30.

Your action today can help make improvements to school nutrition programs a reality by the beginning of the next school year, and will make a significant difference in promoting children’s health and readiness to succeed in school.

Model Letter for Members of House of Representatives
Model Letter for Senators