This year, the US Congress has an opportunity to improve services to children through the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act (H.R.2997). A well-drafted reauthorization bill that includes improved access to services, meal quality, and nutrition education can reduce childhood hunger and obesity, especially for children from low-income families. The reauthorization bill would include changes to nutrition programs for children in child care (the Child and Adult Care Food Program), in school, and at home (through the WIC Program). The contents of the bill are currently being discussed in the Agriculture Appropriations conference committee. Senator Kohl and Representative Obey from Wisconsin are part of the Appropriations Committee.

The Food Research and Action Center- in conjunction with members of the Child Nutrition Forum- have created a “Statement of Principles” in response. These principles provide Congress with guidelines as they reauthorize child nutrition programs. For the Child and Adult Care Food Program in particular, the statement urges Congress to expand eligibility guidelines to serve more low-income children, to increase reimbursement rates to providers to encourage participation, to allow providers to serve a third meal, and to provide training and technical assistance to participating programs. Click here to learn more or to sign in support of these principles.

Please contact Senator Herb Kohl and your other federal representatives TODAY if you support expanding child nutrition programs. You can find out how to contact your US Congressional Representatives by clicking here and entering your mailing address.