Russ Feingold: “I am pleased that the Senate just passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. This legislation makes historic investments…”

“I am pleased that the Senate just passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. This legislation makes historic investments in the health and nutrition of our Nation's children. In addition to increasing funding for a number of programs, without adding a penny to the deficit, it requires a long overdue update of the nutrition standards for the food in our schools. I commend the chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Lincoln, and its ranking member, Senator Chambliss, and their staffs for their hard work on this important legislation. I also thank our leadership for working to ensure this bill passed. I am particularly glad the bill includes provisions based on legislation, the Student Breakfast and Education Improvement Act, Senator Kohl and I introduced last year to improve school breakfast programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act will help schools invest in their breakfast programs. Many of my colleagues know that school breakfast programs face hurdles that reduce participation. This bill will help schools start new breakfast programs, as well as expand or improve existing programs. As I mentioned, this legislation also includes a provision to update school nutrition standards based on legislation introduced for the past several Congresses by Senator Harkin that I have cosponsored. I am pleased that these standards will be updated and expanded to foods sold outside of the cafeteria.”