News and Press Releases :: December 2, 2010

Terry Supports Healthy Meals, Not a Government Takeover of School Lunches

WASHINGTON- Congressman Lee Terry issued the following statement after voting ‘no’ to a so-called kids nutrition bill. The ‘Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010” is another example of the federal government overstepping their authority to force costly and ludicrous mandates on local school districts. The bill includes $4 billion in new spending and numerous new rules and mandates for school districts across the country.

“I absolutely support healthy school lunches and it is important that all kids get nutritious meals, but this bill goes too far,” said Congressman Lee Terry. “Instead of improving current programs this legislation goes further and adds billions in new spending and numerous government mandates to already financially struggling school districts. This bill goes so far as to regulate nutrition content for bake sales and concession stands at school sporting events.”

Fast Facts:

Imposes federal nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools, including bake sales and concession stands.

Spends taxpayer dollars to promote school breakfasts with more advertising rather than providing additional meals for children.
Government takeover of “local wellness policies” and adding new reporting mandates for schools.

Here is a segment of a letter from American Association of School Administrators, Council of the Great City Schools, and National School Boards Association (11/15/10):

“All of the national organizations representing the nation’s public school districts do not support the Senate version of the Child Nutrition reauthorization bill (S. 3307) pending before the house. …As a result, the nation’s school administrators, school boards, and big city school districts recommend passing a simple extension of current law.”