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First Lady Urges Congress to Act on School Meals
Filed under: Celeb Parents, In The News, Day Care & Education, Mealtime, Celeb News & Interviews
Michelle Obama is pushing for healthier school lunches. Credit: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP
In an op-ed essay appearing in Monday's edition of The Washington Post, Mrs. Obama wrote that the Child Nutrition Bill would require more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and less fat and salt in school lunches and breakfasts. And she said it would help eliminate junk food in vending machines.
"We owe it to the children who aren't reaching their potential because they're not getting the nutrition they need during the day," the first lady wrote.
In encouraging Congress to pass the bill, she wrote that "our prosperity depends on the health and vitality of the next generation."
The bill was approved by the House Education and Labor Committee last month, and a Senate committee has approved similar legislation.
Congressional passage would be just the first step. Many of the most difficult decisions, including what kinds of foods will be sold and what ingredients may be limited, will be left up to the Agriculture Department.
The legislation would also expand the number of low-income children eligible for free or reduced-cost meals, a step Democrats say would help President Barack Obama reach his goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
Related: Michelle Obama Launches Website to Combat Childhood Obesity
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
8-02-2010 @ 1:43PM
Brandi said...I agree, setting healthier eating habits early on will prevent overweight children with having to struggle throughout their lives. I was overweight as a child and I wish that someone would have provided me with healthier choices.
Reply
8-02-2010 @ 5:30PM
Heidi said...While I agree 100% with Michelle Obama that there is a need to provide more nutritious foods in school lunches, she should also work to tighten the Food Stamp rules. There is no reason why people on Food Stamps should be allowed to use the benefit to buy things like Twinkies, Slim Jims, Chips, Soda and Gum. These items have no nutritional value whatsoever. I work in a convenience store and see it all the time. Because these quasi-foods are not specifically banned from being purchased with Food Stamps (like tobacco and alcohol), we have to allow it. Personally, I view it as taxpayer theft. I'm all for giving a helping hand when people need help buying food. But this stuff should not be considered food - especially when taxpayers are footing the bill.
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8-02-2010 @ 9:25PM
Heather said...We don't have food stamps here so when the welfare cheque comes people are free to buy anything they wish ( also not sure how it works) . It kind of sounds like a good idea because then they can only buy food. I agree they need to make sure only food is being bought not pop, and candy. They also need to make sure the healthy food is cheaper then the garbage food. Where I live it is often cheaper to buy the frozen pizza ( $5) chicken ($5 on sale) veggies ( $4 for the no name green beans which never go on sale for some reason) and rice or potatoes
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8-04-2010 @ 10:51AM
omgtorres said...this is a parents job... not the schools... we all know fruits and veggies , whole grains, low salt/sugar are best... but it all comes down to choice, and thats done by parents....
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