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Urge Congress to Improve School Foods
Urge your Senators and Representative to cosponsor amendments S1392/HR2987. Introduced by Senator Harkin and Representative Woolsey, this legislation would improve school foods by requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work with the National Academies’ Institute of Medicine to set nutrition standards and limit the sale of junk food out of vending machines, a la carte lines, fund-raisers, and other school venues.
While childhood obesity is skyrocketing, many of our nation's schools raise funds by selling soda and other low-nutrition foods to children. Unlike foods served as part of the National School Lunch Program, these foods are not regulated. Please urge Congress to rid schools of junk food and provide more healthy food choices in schools.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please co-sponsor legislation to improve school foods
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I urge you to cosponsor important legislation to address childhood obesity and unhealthy diets. Amendments S1392/HR2987 by Senator Harkin and Representative Woolsey would improve school foods by reducing the amount of low-nutrition foods sold in vending machines, a la carte lines, fund-raisers, and other school venues.
Obesity is one of the greatest health challenges of our time. Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents. Poor diets, along with lack of physical activity, also contribute to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke and other serious illnesses.
While obesity is a complex, multi-factorial problem, the over-consumption of
high-calorie, low-nutrition beverages and snack foods at schools is a key contributor. The Harkin/Woolsey bills would help to ensure that foods sold outside of the school meal programs make a positive contribution to children's diets and do not undermine the national investment in school meals.
Soft drinks and junk foods are widely available to students in schools. 40% of elementary schools, three-quarters of middle/junior high schools, and virtually all senior high schools have vending machines, school stores, or snack bars. The most common items sold out of these venues include soft drinks, sports drinks, imitation fruit drinks, chips, candy, and baked goods that are not low in fat. Replacing those foods with healthy options would be a significant step toward helping children to eat better and reduce their risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other serious diseases.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please let me know if you will cosponsor this important legislation to improve school foods and reduce childhood obesity.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
January 14, 2004
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Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Representative Lynn Woolsey of California, ranking democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Education Reform, have introduced legislation that would reduce the presence of low-nutrition foods in schools. These amendments, S1392 and HR2987 respectively, would require the Secretary of Agriculture to work with the National Academies' Institute of Medicine to develop regulations for the nutritional quality of foods sold out of vending machines, a la carte lines, fund-raisers, and other venues throughout the campus, throughout the school day.
Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have doubled in children and tripled in teens. While obesity is a complex, multi-factorial problem, over-consumption of soft drinks and low-nutrition snack foods is a key contributor.
Currently, only 2% of children meet the five main recommendations for a healthy diet from the Food Guide Pyramid. Children's soft drink consumption increased by 40% between 1989 and 1996. Children who consume more soft drinks consume more calories and are more likely to be overweight than children who drink few soft drinks. The number of calories children consume from snacks increased by 30% (from 460 to 610 calories) between 1977 and 1996.
The sale of foods in school vending machines, a la carte lines, school stores, and fund-raisers (often referred to collectively as "competitive foods") can negatively affect children's diets, since many of these foods are high in calories, added sugars, and saturated fat and low in nutrients. The most common items sold out of vending machines, school stores, and snack bars include soft drinks, sports drinks, imitation fruit drinks, chips, candy, and baked goods that are not low in fat. 43% of elementary schools, 74% of middle/junior high schools, and 98% of senior high schools have vending machines, school stores, or snack bars.
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