Farm Bureau, Vilsack, Support Senate Child Nutrition Legislation Goals

The American Farm Bureau Federation told Senate Agriculture Committee leaders that it supports the goals of the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016. In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, AFBF said the legislation “improves flexibility for school lunch programs and reinforces dietary guidelines which include dairy, meat, fruits and vegetables, and grains.” The Senate scheduled an initial markup of the bill this week. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack also supported the legislation, saying “the Senate's bill is a win for children, parents, schools and for our country's future.” Vilsack noted that the bill maintains the commitment to science-based nutrition standards for school meals and protects the advancements made in children's health since the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.