Oklahoma Residents: Urge Senator Coburn to Improve Food in Schools

Senator Tom Coburn needs to hear from his constituents that Oklahoma residents want soda and junk food out of our nation’s schools.

Please urge Senator Coburn (R-OK) to cosponsor the bipartisan Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act, S. 771. As Senator Coburn is one of the few medical doctors in the Senate, his support is critical.

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 Coburn 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

Subject: Cosponsor S. 771, the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Attn: Brian Treat

Subject: Cosponsor S. 771, the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act

As an Oklahoma 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:
August 03, 2007

Background Information

The United States Department of Agriculture currently regulates foods sold in most schools. However, USDA’s nutrition standards for foods sold outside of school meals are outdated and allow for the sale of many low-nutrition foods. Nutrition science has evolved since USDA implemented its nutrition standards in the 1970s. The standards no longer make sense from the standpoint of science, current dietary patterns, or health. For example, candy bars are allowed under current regulations, but seltzer water is not.
For more information visit www.schoolfoods.org.

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