August 12, 2015 – Food Bank For New York City joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, Council Member Carlos Menchaca, and health advocates to discuss the importance of legislation ensuring that every child has the opportunity to eat well, learn and grow in order to become the future leaders of tomorrow.
Senator Gillibrand is pushing for increased funding for child nutrition as the authorization for several core USDA programs is set to expire in September. These programs include the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Summer Food Service Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. In addition, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act – a landmark achievement for improving the nutritional standards for food served in school cafeterias – is also set to expire.
In addition to supporting the reauthorization of these policies, Senator Gillibrand is also pushing to expand purchases from local food producers, particularly fresh fruit and vegetable growers and suppliers, to provide nutritious school meals – and raise students’ awareness of local agriculture. Senator Gillibrand is also proposing legislation that would help improve nutrition and nutrition education in underserved areas by expanding the USDA Summer Food Service Program.
Food Bank For New York City President and CEO Margaratte Purvis has joined Senator Gillibrand in supporting the bipartisan Summer Meals Act on behalf of the families that rely on Food Bank For New York City and its citywide network of food pantries, soup kitchens, and community-based organizations. “This legislation is essential to breaking down barriers such as paperwork burdens and transportation issues so that more children have access to free, nutritious meals during the summer months. In New York City, one in every five children relies on emergency food providers. This legislation would go a long way toward helping families ensure that their children have regular access to nutritious meals,” said Purvis.