By Gabriel Rom
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with a number of other city officials, participated in a rally Monday in support of the reauthorization and expansion of a host of school nutritional programs at IS 5 in Elmhurst.
The event, which was also attended by U.S. Rep Grace Meng (D-Flushing), Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Deputy Mayor Richard Buery, came as authorization for USDA’s core child nutrition program and a number of other auxiliary programs were set to expire in September and must be renewed this year or the bill and its provisions will expire..
The flagship $15 billion Hunger-Free Kids Act was spearheaded by first lady Michelle Obama and has substantially altered the food public-school cafeterias serve. In order for school meals to be eligible for federal reimbursement under the program, one of the main requirements is that they must contain at least a half cup serving of fresh fruit and vegetables. The program will expire Sept. 30.
As Congress is set to debate child nutrition standards and school meals this fall, Gillibrand emphasized that the programs must be both renewed and expanded.
“By preserving nutrition programs and standards at school, we are not only ensuring our kids are eating nutritious food, we are also expanding opportunities for our local farmers…no child should have to go without a healthy meal,” Gillibrand said.
At the event, Gillibrand also announced bipartisan legislation to provide more children with nutritious meals throughout the summer by expanding the USDA Summer Food Service Program.
“Child nutritional reauthorization is one of our biggest opportunities to alleviate child hunger. It is a critical piece of legislation,” said Triada Stampas, vice president for research and public affairs for Food Bank For New York City. “Because nutritional standards have come under attack, there is a real chance for backsliding and this bill helps protect against that.”
According to Stampas, 13.3 percent of Queens residents, or about 300,000 people, suffer from food insecurity. The city average is 16.5 percent.
Stampas says that while she is enthusiastic about the bill, she is concerned that reductions in both child nutritional education and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Programs (SNAP) could be used to help fund it.
“Some have characterized this bill as taking away a child’s dinner to pay for their lunch, so the pay-for question is an open question and it’s something we have our eyes on,” Stampas said.
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
