FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net
Tel. 347.563.6408
Comment: NSAC Applauds Introduction of the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act
Washington, DC, July 21, 2022 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Interim Policy Director, in response to the release of the House version of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act.
“The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is pleased to see the House of Representatives version of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR), the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act, that was introduced yesterday by House Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA). The release of the House CNR bill is a positive and important step on the path toward reauthorizing critical childhood nutrition programs, including school food and farm-to-school programs. The bill is vital to ensuring healthy food access and strengthening the market connections that keep food dollars in local communities. NSAC applauds the inclusion of Farm-to-School grants of $ 15 million per year (up from $ 5 million,) facilitating local purchasing, and the authority and authorization for $ 35 million a year for kitchen equipment that helps schools buy whole, local products. Congress typically revisits child nutrition programs and policies every five years in a single omnibus bill known officially as the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, or CNR for short, but has not done so since 2010. NSAC thanks Chairman Scott for his leadership and urges Congress to continue on a path toward reauthorization for these programs which are vital for improving child nutrition, supporting family farmers and local economies, and building vibrant, more equitable communities.”
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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net
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