President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama Speak at Signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

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Food Policy & Law

President to Sign Landmark Child Nutrition Bill

by Helena Bottemiller | Dec 13, 2010

Today President Obama will sign the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 into law during a special signing ceremony at a local Washington, D.C. school. The bill, which reauthorizes many federal nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, is a critical part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood obesity within a generation.

“It’s a great day for kids,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on a call with reporters late last week. “It’s going to be a very significant day, if not one of the most significant days, in child nutrition perhaps since 1946 when the School Lunch Act was enacted by President Truman.”

The bill would, for the the first time, set nutritional standards for all food sold in schools–including vending machines and a la carte lines–and mandate an increase in the meal reimbursement rate for the first time in over three decades, by approximately 6 cents a meal. The legislation will also expand enrollment of already-qualified students in federal meal programs, provide funding for farm-to-school programs, and expand access to breakfast programs.

Food safety protocols also get a boost in the new law. The bill improves recall procedures and extends existing HACCP requirements to include “all places where school meals are prepared or served,” according to the House Education & Labor Committee.

The landmark legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate in August and approved 264 to 157 in the House in early December. source

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25 Responses to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama Speak at Signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

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  4. dannie22 says:

    I’ve decided. I want the dress and those boots! Lol!!

  5. I think whenever you overplay your hand and over-politicize an issue it tends to get kind of funny and sometimes downright silly; which is the inspiration for this video “Michelle Obama warns: Beware of Weapons of Mass Consumption!”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlpbsbLAn28

  6. rikyrah says:

    This is a great accomplishment for the Administration.

    POTUS AND FLOTUS look fabulous.

  7. Ametia says:

    Thank you, POTUS & FLOTUS. LOL chalk up this piece of legistlation to another key victory for our presient! 2012 here we come!

  8. Ametia says:

    First Lady Michelle Obama joins President Obama at the food bill signing on Monday morning at a Washington school.

    Excerpt from her speech:

    “We can all agree that here in the wealthiest nation on earth, all children should have the basic nutrition they need to learn and grow and pursue their dreams. … And that’s why we’ve seen such a groundswell of support for these efforts … From educators working to provide healthier school meals … From doctors and nurses who know that unhealthy kids grow into unhealthy adults … From business and labor leaders who know that we spend nearly $150 billion a year to treat these diseases … From advocates and faith leaders who know that school meals are vital for combating child hunger … “And from military leaders who tell us that when more than one in four young people are unqualified for military service because of their weight, childhood obesity isn’t just a public health threat — it’s not just an economic threat — it’s a national security threat as well. These folks come at this issue from all different angles. But they’ve come together to support this bill … And they know that in the long run, it won’t just save money, it will save lives.”

  9. Ametia says:

    NO.POTUS.DIDN’T. say if he didn’t get that bill passed, he’d be sleeping on the couch! LMBAO I know that’s right.

  10. Ametia says:

    What a beautiful couple POTUS & FLOTUS. The kids are excited!

  11. Ametia says:

    Nancy Pelosi is there!

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