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Legislative Conference Addresses School Nutrition Programs

Posted on: Wednesday, 9 March 2005, 18:00 CST

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Over 750 school nutrition professionals will meet in Washington, DC next week to advocate for strong school nutrition programs. From March 13 to 16, 2005, the 33rd annual Legislative Action Conference of the School Nutrition Association (formerly the American School Food Service Association) will take place at the Washington Renaissance Hotel. The conference and participants' advocacy efforts will build on the bipartisan progress of the child nutrition reauthorization process in Congress last year:

-- Budget Reconciliation: SNA urges the Congress to exempt the child nutrition programs from any budget reconciliation requirement that may be enacted.

-- Elimination of the Reduced Price Meal Category: SNA recommends that Congress appropriate the funds necessary to carry out the pilot project authorized last year to provide free school meals to children from families up to 185 percent of federal poverty income guidelines.

-- Simplified Summer Food Service Program: SNA recommends that Congress expand the number of states until all states are included. Last year's Reauthorization converted the Simplified Summer Food Program Pilot, also known as the Lugar Pilots, to a permanent program, and added six states to those that were eligible to participate.

-- Team Nutrition Network and Nutrition Promotion: SNA recommends that Congress appropriate 50 cents per enrolled child per year to implement these programs. The funding would support USDA's Team Nutrition program, and state and local programs to provide nutrition education to children.

On Tuesday, March 15, 2005, SNA President Karen Johnson, SFNS, will testify at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns will address attendees on Monday, March 14, 2005. The Conference will also include panel discussions on nutrition policy and promotion, budget reconciliation and a presentation by USDA Food and Nutrition Service officials. Several members of Congress are scheduled to attend. On March 13, 2005, Donna Brazile, chair of the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute (VRI) will address attendees.

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The School Nutrition Association is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. The Association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals. Founded in 1946, SNA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children's health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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