Congress is currently considering national legislation to improve the nutritional quality of foods and beverages in schools. Please sign the petition below to ask your members of Congress to take junk food out of schools by requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update its nutrition standards for foods and beverages offered from vending machines, a la carte in the cafeteria, and in school stores on the whole campus throughout the school day.
USDA’s current school nutrition standards were developed in the 1970’s and are no longer consistent with nutrition science or current concerns regarding children’s nutrition. For example, USDA does not consider candy bars, snack cakes or French fries to be junk foods in schools.
As your constituent, I urge you to cosponsor H.R.1363/S. 771, the bipartisan Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act.
The bill calls on 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.
Signed by:
[Your name]
[Your address]
