The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act is an important opportunity to strengthen the federal school meal and child nutrition programs to improve access to quality, nutritious foods. Designed to improve food security in the United States, this legislation covers all federal child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Afterschool Snack and Meal Program, and WIC. These programs reach millions of children and families every day. While the child nutrition programs and WIC are permanently authorized, every five years Congress reviews the programs through a reauthorization process starting Sept. 30, 2009. Given Congressional focus on numerous critical issues this fall, a short-term extension is expected that will delay the reauthorization process to 2010.
As public health and nutrition advocates, we have a long history of engaging in the reauthorization process to improve nutritional status and enhance food security for children and families. In addition, these programs can be leveraged to support a healthier food system. The purchasing power of meal programs has the potential to bolster regional food systems and the new WIC food package has spawned efforts to improve food offerings at smaller stores in underserved neighborhoods. Recognizing the potential for multiple benefits sets the stage for cross-sector collaboration to maximize benefits for child nutrition and health. A set of recommendations for reauthorization has emerged that builds on the expertise of the nutrition, public health, community food security, school food service and agricultural sectors:
Expand access to child nutrition programs. The application process should be simplified for providers and parents; in cities with a high percentage of children that qualify for breakfast or lunch programs, a paperless model is a good option. In addition, offering universal breakfast in schools and providing suppers in after-school programs will help ensure that all children eat three nutritious meals each day.
Improve the nutritional quality of children’s meals. The Institute of Medicine is currently reviewing the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and will be making recommendations to update the nutrition standard and meal standards for the programs in October 2010. In the meantime, increasing reimbursement rates will help schools and providers keep up with the increased costs of procuring and preparing fresh and healthful foods. To develop a skilled work force that can procure and prepare foods that are healthy and delicious, the reauthorization should include funding for training programs and technical assistance.
Strengthen nutrition standards for competitive foods. Standards will be proposed to limit the sale of junk foods and sugar sweetened beverages on school grounds. Through independent review in 2007, the Institute of Medicine report Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way toward Healthier Youth has recommended guidelines that are the gold standard for ensuring that school environments promote healthful food habits.
Strengthen nutrition education in schools. Consistent, reliable funding will ensure that nutrition education and training is offered to all teaching staff, food service staff and students.
Increase the use of foods from regional food systems. Farm to institution programs provide schools with the freshest, high-quality food available while supporting regional producers; establishing a farm to institution initiative within the Secretary of Agriculture’s Office will help to guide policies that support farm to institution across the country. In addition, funding and technical assistance are needed to improve and evaluate school food procurement to support the local and regional procurement of school foods.
Maintain the quality and effectiveness of WIC. Funding needs to be increased to meet the needs of all eligible women and children, particularly in light of the current economic times and rise in unemployment. A new food package was finalized in December 2007 to provide purchasing power for fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and culturally appropriate healthy choices; regulatory improvements to support the success of the new food package should be introduced.
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