Nemours, an integrated children's health system, congratulates the United States Senate on passing the bi-partisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, prior to the September 30th expiration of the child nutrition legislation. We applaud Senators Lincoln and Chambliss for their leadership in advancing this historic legislation.
This momentous bill strengthens local school wellness policies and makes it possible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement nutritional standards for all foods sold in schools. Most notably, it raises nutritional standards for child care centers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and provides funding for training, tools and technical assistance so that child care providers are able to comply with new standards and promote wellness among young children.
"The Senate has seized this opportunity to address hunger and nutrition on behalf of our nation's children, especially our youngest children, who increasingly spend time in child care," said Debbie Chang, Vice President of Policy and Prevention at Nemours. "Establishing healthy habits early in life will set the stage for later childhood and will help children grow up to be healthy, happy, productive adults." Nemours is pleased to have worked with the Senate to promote the Delaware model for wellness in child care and to lead the Healthy Kids, Healthy Future movement addressing obesity prevention for children from birth to age 5.
In order to achieve the Administration's goal of "solving the problem of childhood obesity in a generation," we must start with our youngest children, including the 12 million who spend time in child care settings nationally. Just as the school lunch program can promote health and reduce hunger in school-aged children, the subsidy program for meals in child care – the Child and Adult Care Food Program – can promote healthy habits in our youngest kids.
"We know that good nutrition is vital to children's healthy development and that it factors into their ability to learn and achieve in school," said Ms. Chang. "Federal nutrition programs play a particularly important role for needy families, contributing to children's nutrition, overall health and growth, and school readiness."
The child nutrition reauthorization bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent today. Nemours strongly urges the House continue this momentum and pass its version of the reauthorization language before the programs expire on September 30th.
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