Dine & Cook | Alternative food journalism

The Senate passed the "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act" on Thursday.  The bill provides an additional $4.5 billion over 10 years to federal child nutrition programs, including school lunch. The bill was heavily lobbied for by First Lady Michelle Obama and if signed into law, it will be the first time that the federal government has increased funding for the programs in 30 years.

Statement from the First Lady on the Senate Passing Child Nutrition Legislation

I am thrilled that Congress has taken a major step forward today in passing the Child Nutrition bill – a groundbreaking piece of legislation that will help us provide healthier school meals to children across America and will play an integral role in our efforts to combat childhood obesity.  Over the past few months, this bill has garnered widespread support from both Democrats and Republicans, all of whom care deeply about the health and wellbeing of our children and are committed to ensuring they have the nutrition they need to learn, grow and succeed.  I know how much work it has taken to get to this point, and I want to commend Senators Reid, Lincoln, McConnell, and Chambliss for their leadership and thank them for their work to garner bipartisan support for this legislation.  While childhood obesity cannot be solved overnight, with everyone working together, there’s no question that it can be solved -- and today’s vote moves us one step closer to reaching that goal.