Congressman Kagen provides healthy food for our children
GREEN BAY, WI — Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. today told a group at Green Bay’s Howe Elementary School that proper nutrition and increased availability and accessibility of healthy food choices should be top priorities for Wisconsin public schools.
“We are creating a better future for all of us when we invest in our children’s health,” said Kagen.
Kagen is leading an effort in Congress to guarantee that children have the foundation to lead healthy lives. The only member of Congress from Wisconsin on the House Agriculture Committee, he said the Farm Bill passed on Wednesday features a number of provisions that benefit local farm families, promote the production of cellulosic biofuels, and encourage healthy eating.
“I am proud to say that this legislation addresses our fundamental needs, from what we put in our bodies to what we put in our gas tanks,” Kagen said. “It’s good for Wisconsin agriculture, our health, and our economy.”
The Farm Bill included the USDA Snack Program, which helps schools provide healthy snacks to students during after-school activities. The bill also incorporated changes to existing law to allow schools to include locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for lunches and grant program targeted at developing and testing solutions to the rising rates of obesity in the nation.
Kagen was joined by Green Bay School Superintendent Dan Nerad, Betsy Farah, food service coordinator for the Ashwaubenon School District, and Howe Elementary Principal DeAnn Lehman.
“Every public school district in America now has to have a wellness policy,” said Green Bay Superintendent Nerad. “We think passage of the Farm Bill is an opportunity to advance that agenda.”
“We are very happy to be participating in this wonderful opportunity to work with our local producers and buyers,” said Betsy Farah of the Ashwaubenon district.
The bill also creates a pilot program to encourage the purchase of more fresh fruits and vegetables in low-income households, includes a provision to invest in nutrition programs to adjust to rising food prices, increases attention to nutrition education through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and increase accessibility to Farmers Markets. Other provisions ensure that Senior Citizens have ample access to food that is healthy and fresh and provides senior citizens with vouchers to buy fresh produce at markets and roadside stands.
