Senator Gordon Smith needs to hear from his constituents that Oregon residents want soda and junk food out of our nation’s schools.

Please urge Senator Smith (R-OR) to cosponsor the bipartisan Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act, S.771. This bill would call on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bring its nutrition standards for foods sold out of vending machines, school stores, and alongside meals in step with current nutrition science. The new standards would apply to all foods sold on campus throughout the school day.

Please take a moment to send a quick message to Senator Smith and ask him to cosponsor this school nutrition bill. Also, please help by passing this alert along to friends and family. Thank you in advance for your help!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Attn: Betsy McDonnell and Jason Vaillancourt

As a Oregon resident and your constituent, I urge you to cosponsor S.771, the bipartisan Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act.

The bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bring its nutrition standards for foods sold out of vending machines, school stores, and a la carte in the cafeteria in line with current nutrition science. Developed in the 1970s, those standards do not address important nutritional concerns like calories, saturated and trans fat, and salt.

Despite the increase in childhood obesity rates, many of our nation's schools still sell candy, snack cakes and sugary drinks to children through vending, a la carte in the cafeteria, and school stores. Yet, schools can make just as much money selling healthier foods. As you know, good nutrition is central to children's health and ability to learn.

I look forward to hearing whether you will cosponsor the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 25, 2007