Putnam Introduces Bill To Promote Healthier Foods In Schools

Press Release

Congressman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) today introduced legislation that would increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in school breakfasts and lunches. The bipartisan bill, the Children's Fruit and Vegetable Act (H.R. 4333), includes several strategies that will improve health and limit obesity among America's schoolchildren.

"Trying to get kids to eat their vegetables may seem like an old problem, but we have only to look at the level of childhood obesity which has tripled in America during the last 20 years to know that healthy eating habits are in decline," said Putnam. "In addition, the federal government's investment in nutrition programs must be revised to reflect modern health standards. Particularly among needy students, school programs often provide the primary opportunity for consumption of nutritionally valuable foods. The tools provided under this bill will result in school meals that not only appeal to students but also better meet students' nutritional needs."

The Democratic sponsor of measure, Congressman Sam Farr of California, said, "USDA spends more than $10 billion a year on school feeding programs, but only a small fraction goes to fruits and vegetables. The federal government talks about the food pyramid and healthy eating, then spends billions on unhealthy food. It's time we put our money where our mouth is and address the poor quality of food in our schools."

Provisions in HR 4333 include:

* USDA will implement a plan to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables purchased for school feeding programs.
* USDA will work with schools to encourage the use of salad bars in school cafeterias, a proven strategy for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.
* Improve overall cafeteria quality and feeding infrastructure
* Promote farm-to-cafeteria programs
* Provide schools with training and technical assistance

The measure would implement the recommendations of a recent report titled "School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children" by the Institute of Medicine, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, which states that increasing the amount and variety of vegetables and fruits in schools is one of the best ways to make school meals healthier. The group's recommendation's that schools increase their offering of fruits and vegetables are intended to bring school meals in line with dietary guidelines.

The full IOM study is available online here:

http://www.iom.edu/en/Reports/2009/School-Meals-Building-Blocks-for-Healthy-Children.aspx

One of the key provisions in the Children's Fruit and Vegetable Act (H.R. 4333) instructs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement a plan that will remove barriers to the purchase and distribution of perishable fruits and vegetables within school feeding programs.

"Florida, growing a wide range of produce, can be a leader for the nation in this regard," said Putnam.

The legislation also provides competitive matching grants and technical assistance to schools to improve access to local foods. The bill directs $10 million a year for five years toward these farm-to-school programs.

Putnam said he and Farr will be working to include the provisions of this legislation into next year's Child Nutrition Act reauthorization.

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