My friend in Connecticut (Anna) saw that I was interested in healthy food at schools. I sent an invite a couple of days ago on my facebook page to all my friends to join the Jami Oliver Food Revolution. Anna directed me to this other great website that helps you write a letter to your local legislatures. I sent the following letter to Rep. Chellie Pingree, Sen Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine. I sent a letter to these reps about a month ago for Earth hour. Earth Hour is another great initiative to save energy! The Internet is making it easier to get on board with these great ideas. For more info on the healthy food campaign go to: http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/campaign/time_for_lunch/ Thanks Anna!
Dear Rep Chellie Pingree, Sen Olympia Snowe, Sen Susan Collins,
I’m concerned about child obesity. Right now, nearly one third of American children are overweight or obese. That’s a major threat to their health and to the future security and economic prosperity of our country.
It’s time to act, starting with the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. As a voter in your district, I urge you to invest at least $1 billion per year, to strengthen nutrition standards and to link schools to local farms.
Right now, schools receive $2.68 for each lunch served – only about $1 of which goes towards food. As a result, most schools have to rely on the cheap processed foods that are fueling the obesity and diabetes epidemics.
To help America’s children get back on the track towards good health, the Child Nutrition Act must include:
1. A full investment of at least $1 billion per year, as proposed by the Administration. School meal providers say a truly healthy meal costs $1 more, which is the goal we need to work towards. Investing in healthy food now will save hundreds of billions in health care costs down the line.
2. Stronger nutrition standards for all the food sold at school, including the food sold in school vending machines.
3. $10 million per year in mandatory funding for Farm to School programs, which create local jobs and help schools teach healthy eating.
When you reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, please keep America’s kids in mind and put their needs first. Thank you for your support.
-Kristen Bifulco
Camden Maine