Bank on It: A Food Bank Blog

Will Obama State of the Union Include Bad News for Child Nutrition Programs?

Posted At: January 27, 2010 5:28 PM | Posted By: Food Bank
Related Categories: Children & Youth, Nutrition & Food, In the News, Public Policy & Legislation, Government Supports

by Triada Stampas

Last year the Obama administration made promising gestures toward improving child nutrition in America, including a proposal to add $1 billion to child nutrition programs.

But will these leanings lead to action? Tonight’s State of Union Address could offer a grim clue.

President Obama is expected to call for a three-year freeze on domestic programs. And with the Child Nutrition Act now up for reauthorization in Congress, some fear that the freeze could mean arresting the growth of critical programs feeding America’s hungriest children -- right when they are needed most.

With the economic crisis ongoing, families in New York and across the country are still reeling from lost jobs and slashed salaries, making nutritious food hard to afford.

The NYC Hunger Experience 2009 report, recently released by the Food Bank For New York City, found that almost half (47 percent) of households with children in New York City experienced difficulty buying needed food for themselves and their families last year.

A Child Nutrition Reauthorization that provides for Universal School Meals would ensure these children can count on at least one nutritious meal per day.

“Will a program created to 'promote the health and well-being of the nation's children' survive the freeze?” wrote Debra Eschmeyer, Food and Society Fellow at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade, in today’s Huffington Post. “Probably not, unless we, the voting public, find our voice and let our elected officials know that child nutrition in general -- and the National School Lunch Program in particular -- is a priority.”

What would you say to President Obama to convince him not to freeze funds for child nutrition programs? Share your thoughts!