KY Kids to Benefit from Federal Child Nutrition Bill

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Dec 10th, 2010

KY Kids to Benefit from Federal Child Nutrition Bill

Public News Service-KY

Thousands of Kentucky kids are starving for good nutrition, not just empty calories. On Monday, President Obama is expected to sign a bill aimed at improving opportunities for kids to eat healthy meals in schools and child-care settings. Child advocates are rejoicing over the recent passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Lacey McNary, deputy director of Kentucky Youth Advocates (and KVH member), says the legislation will improve children's access to nutritional meals, especially for thousands of Kentucky kids who often go hungry.

"A lot of children get a good percentage of their nutrition at school. So, this bill will move us in the right direction in terms of making sure children have healthier options at school."

The legislation implements new school food-safety guidelines and, for the first time, establishes nutritional standards for all foods sold in schools, including vending machines. It also encourages schools to use locally grown produce and establish school gardens.

McNary contends the measure could also help trim the fat from Kentucky kids.

"This is really important in Kentucky because we have the third highest rate of obesity in the nation. So, making sure that we have good, quality, nutritious meals for children just couldn't come at a more critical time."

According to the Kentucky Department of Education, 52 percent of Kentucky's children receive free or reduced-cost meals at school, and on any given day, more than 188,000 children in the Commonwealth experience hunger for lack of food.

McNary says child advocate groups are concerned about cuts to food stamps to partly pay for the school nutrition improvements, but they hope those cuts will be reversed.

"You know, we don't want to 'rob Peter to pay Paul,' in a sense. We want to ensure that families that need food stamps will be able to get them - especially in this economy, when more and more families are relying on food stamps."

The $4.5 billion Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was approved last week by the U.S. House of Representatives; the Senate approved it unanimously in August.

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