House Approves Child Nutrition Act

The New York Times (12/3, Pear) reports, "Congress gave final approval on Thursday to a child nutrition bill that expands the school lunch program and sets new standards to improve the quality of school meals, with more fruits and vegetables." The bill championed by First lady Michelle Obama would be financed, in part "by a cut in food stamps starting in several years." The Times adds that President Obama is expected to sign the bill.

 

The AP (12/3) reports that the bill would expand school lunch and dinner programs to include more children. Some lawmakers say the legislation could help "stem rising health care costs due to expanding American waistlines and to feed hungry children in tough economic times." But opponents are concerned about its costs and say it is "an example of government overreach."

 

The Christian Science Monitor (12/2, Paulson) reported that "the bill, formally known as the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, includes some of the biggest changes to the Child Nutrition Act since the program was started nearly half a century ago." It provides "$4.5 billion over 10 years to child nutrition programs – the first time the federal government has increased funding for them in 30 years." Also under the legislation, schools would be reimbursed 6 cents more than the current $2.68 "reimbursement rate...from the federal government for free school meals."

 

USA Today (12/3, Eisler) adds, "On the safety front, the bill also includes provisions to better train school cafeteria workers and more quickly alert schools that may have received food that has been recalled because of contamination concerns."

 

‎Politico (12/3, Phillip) reports that Michelle Obama said Thursday "that she is 'thrilled' that the legislation is close to the finish line. She called it 'a groundbreaking piece of bipartisan legislation that will significantly improve the quality of meals that children receive at school and will play an integral role in our efforts to combat childhood obesity.'" The Chicago Tribune (12/3, Steffen), Reuters (12/3, Abbott), and AFP (12/3) also cover the story.