Sam Farr: “I rise in support of S. 870, a bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to extend the availability…”

“I rise in support of S. 870, a bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to extend the availability of funds to carry out the fruit and vegetable pilot program. We hear a great deal about the importance of teaching our children good nutrition as well as about the epidemic of obesity and poor eating habits among American children. This morning's USA Today even had several articles about nutrition and obesity throughout the paper, this is a very important issue and one that is near and dear to my heart and that of my district. However, for all the press, talk and concern, we do far too little about it. The first year of the Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program is nearing its end, but remaining funds need to be used to extend the program until the end of the 2003-2004 school year so we can get the necessary information as we begin to debate child nutrition reauthorization later this year. The 2002 Farm Bill authorized funds for a pilot project to test the feasibility of offering free fruits and vegetables to students during the school day.”