07/01/04

American Dietetic Association Commends U.S. Government for New Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2004

Media contacts: Doris Acosta, Kelly Liebbe
800/877-1600, ext. 4822, 4769
media@eatright.org

CHICAGO - After passing unanimously by voice vote last week in both the House and Senate, President George W. Bush signed the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 into law on June 30, an important step toward improving the health and well-being of our nation’s children, according to the experts at the American Dietetic Association, the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.

“This is an important step in improving child nutrition,” said registered dietitian and ADA President Susan Laramee. “ADA worked closely with Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle throughout the process and we are grateful to all members for placing such a high priority on child nutrition.”

The bill, a bipartisan effort that was more than 18 months in the making, contains many provisions that will improve the nutrition integrity of school environments, the WIC program, Summer Food Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program. In addition, the bill includes many provisions that reduce barriers to WIC, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Program, and CACFP eligibility and allows children in school lunch programs to certify for free- or reduced-price meals only one time per year.

Key nutrition components to the bill include: local wellness policies that would govern foods sold on school campuses throughout the school day, an expanded fresh fruits and vegetables pilot program that will provide free fruits and vegetables to students in designated schools, a nutrition network that will fund nutrition education programs and personnel at the state level and many pilot and grant programs intended to support local districts in improving nutrition and physical activity among students.

It is the official position of the American Dietetic Association that the school and community have a shared responsibility to provide all students with access to high-quality foods and nutrition services as an integral part of the total education program. Educational goals, including the nutrition goals of the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, should be supported and extended through school district policies that create an overall school environment with learning experiences that enable students to develop lifelong, healthful eating habits.

With nearly 70,000 members, the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association serves the public by promoting optimal health and well-being for all people. Visit ADA at http://www.eatright.org/.