ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jun 24, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- This afternoon Congress passed the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. In addition to extending authority for programs due to sunset, this bipartisan legislation achieves many of the goals identified by members of the American School Food Service Association. The Association has expressed its gratitude to Members of Congress for crafting a strong bill. The bill was passed by unanimous consent and reflects the long tradition of support for these programs.

ASFSA president Donna Wittrock said, "We greatly appreciate the hard work done by Members of both parties on both sides of the Hill to put the needs of children first. We are pleased that Congress addressed program integrity by expanding direct certification for children in households that receive food stamps while not erecting difficult barriers for income eligible children that would negatively impact their participation. We appreciate inclusion of language on food safety that addresses this concern in ways that are within the purview of the local school food service program. We believe that making the 'Lugar pilots' (a streamlining approach for Summer Food Service Program administration) permanent and adding states will benefit at-risk children enormously and are grateful that it has been included.

Wittrock, who is Executive Director for child nutrition in Denver, Colorado, went on to say, "We think that expanding Senator Harkin's fresh fruit and vegetable pilot will provide valuable information on ways to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by children that, in turn, will help in the fight against childhood obesity. And, of course we are excited about the inclusion of a pilot to test the efficacy and impact of eliminating the reduced price category. We will now work with the Congress to secure funds to carry out this pilot."

Eliminating the reduced price meal category by raising eligibility for free meals to harmonize with WIC standards was one of ASFSA's highest priorities for this reauthorization. In testimony before the House Appropriations Committee, USDA Under Secretary Eric Bost estimated that 500,000-600,000 children not currently participating but eligible for reduced price meals would take advantage of the nutritious school meal program if the cost barrier were removed. The legislation passed by Congress and heading to the President for signing authorizes a pilot that would eliminate the reduced price fee in all or parts of five states and require a report back to Congress on the impact this change has.

The bill just passed is the most comprehensive child nutrition legislation in many years. ASFSA and its partners in the anti-hunger, nutrition and child communities have spent more than two and half years evaluating and developing proposals. Congressional staff worked tirelessly to craft this bill. It is exemplary of what can be achieved when people work together for a common, worthy goal.

ASFSA (http://www.asfsa.org) 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, ASFSA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children's health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.

From Healthy.net