Congresswoman Linda Sánchez Applauds Passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

Press Release

Today, Rep. Linda Sánchez proudly voted in favor of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This legislation will help the 540,000 children in Los Angeles County who live in poverty and the 3 million children across California using food and nutrition assistance programs have access to the fresh, quality foods they need in order to combat obesity, end hunger, and grow up healthy.

In Los Angeles County alone, more than 587,000 children receive meals through the National School Lunch Program and over 275,000 students utilize the School Breakfast Program.

"As a mother, I understand how important it is for kids to eat healthy, well-rounded meals," said Rep. Linda Sánchez. "Hunger and obesity among our children have reached unprecedented levels, but with this bill, more children will have access to fresher, better quality foods, in their homes, schools, and communities."

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) contains the most significant improvements to child nutrition programs in more than 30 years, including updates to the National School Lunch Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

The nationwide problems of childhood hunger and obesity have gotten worse in recent years. The HHFKA is designed to address these problems by increasing access to child nutrition programs and improving the nutritional quality of meals. The legislation increases the reimbursement rate for school lunches for school districts that meet federal nutrition standards, connects more children with produce from local farms, and eases the application and certification processes so more children have access to these programs.

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