DENVER, Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For thousands of Colorado kids, returning to school means five days a week of breakfast and lunch – meals not readily available to them throughout the summer months. Congress is reviewing the laws governing federally funded school nutrition programs through the reauthorization process. The current law is set to expire on September 30.
"Children should have the food they need to thrive. With one in five Colorado children not always sure when or where they will get their next meal, it has never been more important to support the federal programs funded through the Child Nutrition Reauthorization," said Kathy Underhill, executive director for Hunger Free Colorado.
In October 2014, 42 percent of Colorado students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch.
The following programs face expiration:
About the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Coalition
The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Coalition is comprised of organizations focused on preserving and strengthening child nutrition programs. Coalition members include: Colorado Children's Campaign, Colorado Fair Share, Children's Hospital Colorado, Healthier Colorado, Hunger Free Colorado, LiveWell Colorado and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado.
Contact:
Katie Trexler Kern, Evolution Communications Agency303.941.4118 or [email protected]
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"Children should have the food they need to thrive. With one in five Colorado children not always sure when or where they will get their next meal, it has never been more important to support the federal programs funded through the Child Nutrition Reauthorization," said Kathy Underhill, executive director for Hunger Free Colorado.
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In October 2014, 42 percent of Colorado students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch.
The following programs face expiration:
- The National School Lunch Program guarantees that millions of low-income children receive a healthy lunch during their school day.
- The School Breakfast Program ensures that children can get a healthy breakfast at school.
- The Child and Adult Care Food Program reimburses child care centers, Head Start Programs, family child care homes, homeless shelters and afterschool programs for snacks and meals.
- The Summer Food Service Program ensures that children still have access to free, nutritious meals and snacks during the summer when school is out.
- The Afterschool Snack and Meal Program bridges the hunger gap between lunch and dinner for children who participate in afterschool programs.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, and access to health care for pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children.
About the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Coalition
The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Coalition is comprised of organizations focused on preserving and strengthening child nutrition programs. Coalition members include: Colorado Children's Campaign, Colorado Fair Share, Children's Hospital Colorado, Healthier Colorado, Hunger Free Colorado, LiveWell Colorado and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado.
Contact:
Katie Trexler Kern, Evolution Communications Agency303.941.4118 or [email protected]
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/back-to-school-means-back-to-regular-meals-for-colorado-kids-300135756.html
SOURCE Child Nutrition Reauthorization Coalition
