Senator Patrick Leahy

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Child Nutrition Programs

As Ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Senator Leahy helps author many of the nation's public policies on school lunch programs and incentives to get people to eat and live more healthy lives

The Child Nutrition Programs are a group of federally- funded initiatives that provide healthy foods to millions of children, women and infants each year. These programs include:

School Lunch and Breakfast Programs

Summer Food Service Program

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

International School Lunch Program

What's New: Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization

I am pleased that because of the Child Nutrition reauthorization many wonderful local school-farm partnerships will be possible under my new farm-to-cafeteria grant program as authorized by this bill. Communities all across our nation are beginning to explore the benefits of linking local farms and school cafeterias. When these connections are made, children get healthier fresh food choices at school, and hands-on knowledge about where their food comes from and how it is produced. And farmers not only strengthen their local markets but become more involved with the schools in their community. With just a little seed money and some technical assistance these schools can create a program that teaches children about good nutrition, shows them the importance of agriculture, and supports local farms by keeping food dollars within the community. Under this new program, communities will be able to apply for competitive grants from USDA for up to $100,000 to purchase adequate equipment to store and prepare fresh foods, to develop food procurement relationships with nearby farmers, to plan seasonal menus and promotional materials, and to develop hands-on nutrition education related to agriculture.

Statements and Releases

Press Release - Congress Renews Child Nutrition Programs - June 25, 2004

Press Release - Leahy Successfully Leads Effort To Keep Milk In Schools And Bring Farm-Fresh Produce To Cafeterias - May 20, 2004

Statement - of Senator Patrick Leahy on Obesity and the School Lunch Room - May 11, 2004

Statement - Leahy And Specter Introduce Farm-To-Cafeteria Plan For Healthier Child Nutrition - October 17, 2003

Links to Other Nutrition Sites

Vermont Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs

USDA Food and Nutrition Service

The American School Food Service Association
The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger