2009 Reauthorization
In 2009, Congress will review the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. This legislation, which is set to expire on September 30, 2009, includes all the Federal child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast and the National School Lunch Programs, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
TAKE ACTION:
Sign your organization on to the Statement of Principles.
Invite Members of Congress to Your Child Nutrition Sites.
The July 4th and August recess are fast approaching - ideal times for Members to visit your child nutrition programs, and start them thinking about the upcoming Child Nutrition Reauthorization. These FRAC resources can help you organize program site visits:
- Child Nutrition Programs in Action - Potential Site Visits (pdf)
Helps determine when and where to invite Members, as well as identify the goals of each visit. - Site Visits to Child Nutrition Programs (pdf)
How to identify a site, prepare for the visit, craft a message, work with the media, and follow up with your Member after the visit. - Model invitation letter and model scheduling request (MSWord documents)
By witnessing the work you're doing, Members can see the vital importance of child nutrition programs, which touch millions of children each day. They are shown to improve educational achievement, nutrition, and overall health. Reauthorization provides the opportunity to improve and strengthen these programs so they better meet the needs of our nation's children.
For a list of the programs and background information, download FRAC 101: Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act. (pdf)
The House Committee on Education and Labor and the Senate Committee on Agriculture have jurisdiction over these programs.
USDA Public Hearings:
Statement of the Food Research and Action Center (pdf) on the 2009 Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition and WIC Programs (CNR) (pdf), delivered at the final USDA CNR Listening Session, Chicago, Illinois, 9/10/08.
Over 300 organizations and individuals delivered testimony at regional listening sessions in: Boston, Massachusetts; Austin, Texas; San Francisco, California; Baltimore, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; and Denver, Colorado.
Speakers included local, state and national anti-hunger advocates; public, private and nonprofit providers; program sponsors; medical experts; academics; industry representatives; school food service directors and providers; nutritionists; and concerned parents and individuals.
They provided recommendations on improving access, meal quality and nutrition in the programs that are due for reauthorization: school breakfast and lunch, summer feeding, afterschool and child and adult care food programs, and WIC.
USDA has completed a summary of the hearings for the coming Presidential Administration to use in the 2009 reauthorization of the Child Nutrition and WIC Programs.
FRAC will keep you updated with reauthorization materials, themes, talking points, model recommendations and additional information as these USDA plans proceed.
FRAC Contacts:
Ellen Teller (202) 986-2200 ext. 3013 eteller@frac.org
Crystal FitzSimons (202) 986-2200 ext. 3006 cfitzsimons@frac.org
Geri Henchy (202) 986-2200 ext. 3025 ghenchy@frac.org
On June 30, 2004, President Bush signed the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 into law (Public Law 108-265).
View fact sheets, analyses, and press releases about the Act in the Implementation Center
Information on changes to School Meals Eligibility, Applications and Verifications
Free School Meals for Migrant Children and Youth provides information on migrant students' eligibility for free school meals
Information on Local School Wellness Policies and a Stake Holders Briefing
Click here for information on the overcertification debate, childhood obesity, rural area issues, the President's budget and other specific policy concerns.