ALBANY, GA – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) toured Lincoln Elementary Magnet School in Albany, Georgia, met with cafeteria staff, ate lunch with the students, and held a media availability regarding the changes made to the lunch program at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School and schools throughout the entire nation. USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Deputy Regional Administrator Erin Swanson–Hall, USDA Deputy Director of the Special Nutrition Program Steve Hortin, and Dougherty County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joshua Murfree, Jr. joined Congressman Bishop on the tour.
“Not all students have been blessed with as many choices of healthy food as are now being served at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School and schools across the nation.” said Congressman Bishop. “As every child deserves a shot at a healthy and productive life, the new national school nutrition improvements are an investment in our children’s future and the future success of our nation.”
“Since one in three children are overweight or obese, and kids consume half their meals in schools, we must work together to make the school day healthier with healthier food, more exercise, and nutrition education. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is a great win for our nation’s kids – and their parents,” said Erin Swanson-Hall, USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Southeast Deputy Regional Administrator. “Valuable feedback from parents and nutrition advocates helped shape new standards which are now in effect. We came to Lincoln Elementary Magnet School here in Albany today with Congressman Bishop to have a nutritious school lunch and spread the message that The School Day Just Got Healthier.”
To start the 2012-2013 school year, USDA has launched a Back-to-School initiative, “The School Day Just Got Healthier,” to assist and prepare parents, students, and schools for the changes to the school food environment instituted by Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2012 (HHFKA).
For more information about the “School Day Just Got Healthier Program”, please click here. To view pictures of today’s visit, please click here.
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