172588 Child nutrition reauthorization 2009: Strengthening key public health nutrition programs

Monday, October 27, 2008: 11:15 AM

Margo G. Wootan, DSc , Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington, DC
Lorelei_X DiSogra , United Fresh Produce Association, Washington, DC
Laurie True , California WIC Association, Sacramento, CA
     
Every five years, Congress reauthorizes the child nutrition programs (e.g., the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). The next child nutrition program reauthorization is scheduled for 2009. The child nutrition programs affect the lives of millions of children, infants, and mothers of young children each year. During the school year, 30 million children per day participate in the National School Lunch Program and 9.7 million children per day participate in the School Breakfast Program. Each month, more than 8 million people participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, about 75% of which are infants and children. Reauthorization presents an opportunity to strengthen these important programs to improve public health through fostering better eating habits among Americans at a key time in both their physical development and in the formation of lifelong eating habits.

Learning Objectives:
1. Articulate the contribution of the school meals programs and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to children’s health and nutrition. 2. Assess ways in which the child nutrition programs could be strengthened to better promote and protect public health. 3. Outline key policy priorities for advocates, USDA, and Congress for the 2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

Keywords: Nutrition, Public Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I manage the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity, a national coalition that will play a key role in advocacy efforts to improve the nutritional quality of American's diets through the 2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Promoting Nutrition Among Vulnerable Populations
See more of: Food and Nutrition