Farm Bill Includes Boosts for School Nutrition
Bill Includes Expanded Funding for Fruit and Vegetable Programs
The Farm Bill recently passed by Congress includes some good news for school nutrition. At 673 pages, the legislation covers a huge variety of issues related to agriculture, wildlife and nutrition, including some important steps forward for school health. Relevant provisions for schools include:
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program: This program provides $500 million over five years for selected schools to purchase at least one daily fresh fruit or vegetable snack for children. Part of the funding is allocated to each state, with additional funding distributed based on population. The program focuses on low-income school districts.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables for Distribution to Schools (also known as the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit Program): Funding for participating schools to purchase fresh produce is increased to $50 million over five years.
Geographic Preference: This provision allows schools to specify a geographic preference when purchasing food with funds from the federal school lunch program. (Language in the previous Farm Bill made it difficult for schools to specify such a preference.) This change allows schools to prioritize the purchase of fresh, locally grown ingredients and makes way for the expansion of farm-to-school programs.
Grain Pilot Program: The legislation allocates $4 million to establish a pilot program providing whole grain products for school meals at selected schools in six states.
Food Education and Gardening: Vegetable gardening programs for schools in high-poverty areas are specifically mentioned in the bill, along with projects that promote nutrition education. Funding still needs to be allocated for many of these programs.
HSC applauds the legislators and advocates who made these health-promoting provisions a part of the Farm Bill. This bill, along with the upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act (which begins in 2009) can help create a policy environment that prioritizes nutrition and health for schoolchildren.
Interested in learning more? Contact HSC’s school wellness director Jean Saunders at 312-419-1810.
HSC Marathon Team Welcomes New Members
HSC Team Registration Available for Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Runners on the HSC charity athletics team are welcoming new members and beginning to prepare for racing in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 12, 2008.
Although open registration for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has closed, Healthy Schools Campaign has a limited number of guaranteed charity bibs for the race!
As the weather gets warmer, many athletes are beginning to train for fall events such as this one and are looking for a charity to support with their efforts. This is the perfect time to let friends, family and colleagues know about opportunities to join the HSC team.
Charity athletes receive training and fundraising support - and make a difference for children’s health and learning for a lifetime.
Green Schools Event Emphasizes Climate Change
June 11 Breakfast Briefing Features National Experts on Emerging Trends and Issues
Green building for schools offers enormous benefits for student health and the environment, making it one of today’s most exciting environmental trends.
HSC recently hosted a green school workshop and tour of Tarkington School, Chicago’s first green school, for design professionals and school administrators. On a national policy scale, HSC has signed on in support of the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which has the potential to bring significant financial investment in green school construction.
Green building promises to yield positive health and performance benefits for our nation's children and educators. How does it relate to one of the other most prominent environmental issues of our time, climate change?
On June 11, HSC will host a dynamic panel discussion with national and local experts working at the forefront of issues surrounding climate change and the school environment. Speakers include:
- Rachel Gutter, Schools Sector Manager for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
- Jonathan Magaziner, Program Manager and Analyst for the Clinton Climate Initiative
- Karen Shoup, Capital Budget Director and Administrator of School Construction for the Governor's Office of Management and Budget
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