OTA applauds passage of child nutrition bill

The Organic Trade Association has applauded Congress for passing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that includes a US$ 10 million Organic Pilot Program OTA championed to help provide organic food choices in school nutrition programs. “OTA is pleased that this important legislation has passed and very excited that it includes OTA’s proposal for an organic pilot program giving children access to organic foods as part of healthy school feeding programs,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director and CEO.

The bill, which passed the Senate before the August recess, has moved through the House of Representatives, with House passage in a 264-to-157 vote. Under the Organic Pilot Program, competitive grants favoring socially disadvantaged schools will be offered for schools to increase organic offerings in their meal programs. Because the Organic Pilot Program is not mandatory, the Appropriations Committee will decide on funding for the program.

In addition to the Organic Pilot Program, the bill includes a US$ 40 million Farm-to-School Program that OTA also supported. This mandatory funding will provide a robust competitive grant and technical assistance program in the US Department of Agriculture to increase the use of local foods from small- and medium-sized farms in schools. The final bill also provides the first increase in meal reimbursement rates, other than that based on inflation, since the 1970s, and streamlines enrollment in school meal programs. OTA

Video: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visit Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Washington, DC where the President signs into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, legislation that will help provide all children with healthy food in schools. December 13, 2010.