Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) is advocating for a reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act that makes student health a priority by providing increased funding for better school food. Specifically, HSC is advocating for a reauthorization that will:

Increase funding for the school meal program. HSC urges Congress to increase the reimbursement rates for school meals to cover the full costs (including food, energy, labor and overhead) of serving meals that meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Bring school food nutrition standards into alignment with the current US Dietary Guidelines. HSC supports the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations for school food standards that increase the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables served, increase whole grain requirements, and bring calorie requirements into alignment with current nutrition guidelines.

Facilitate farm to school opportunities. HSC believes that farm to school programs are important for ensuring that schools have access to the freshest and healthiest food. HSC urges Congress to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act with policies and programs that support farm to school opportunities.

Give the USDA authority to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools. HSC believes that all food sold in schools—including the snacks and a la carte items sold outside the school meal program—should meet standards for nutrition that support students’ health and readiness to learn.

Streamline the administration of the school food program. HSC supports the use of current best practices and technology to streamline administration of the child nutrition programs so that school districts can reduce administrative costs and more students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals can access those nutritious meals at school.

Healthy Schools Campaign’s policy priorities are in alignment with those that President Obama and Secretary Vilsack have announced as the administration’s priorities for reauthorization of the child nutrition programs. HSC urges Congress to support these changes in the Child Nutrition Act and provide adequate funding to prioritize health and learning for all students. Click here to download these policy goals in PDF form »