Today, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan highlighted positive changes in the school meals programs to promote childrens' health during National School Lunch Week, Oct. 10-14. Merrigan joined students, staff, and local farmers to celebrate National School Lunch Week and Farm to School Month at Carl G. Renfroe Middle School in Decatur, Ga. USDA, along with its partners, celebrate the program's accomplishments, including the achievements of HealthierUS School Challenge honorees and the enactment of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

"We know that children are America's greatest treasure and contributing to their health is one of our most important jobs we have at USDA," said Merrigan. "The Obama administration has enacted historic reforms in USDA's school meals programs but our work has just begun and our commitment to improving the quality and standards of food in our schools, coupled with efforts to increase physical activity, will help more kids to lead healthier lifestyles and put them on a path to win the future."

Since President Obama signed the HHFKA into law last December, USDA has worked to implement the Act's reforms, including provisions to simplify program administration, expand access and improve nutrition in school meals. And over 1,500 schools across the country have made improvements as part of the Healthier US School Challenge, a key component of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. Participating schools voluntarily adopt USDA standards for food they serve at their schools, agree to provide nutrition education, and offer greater opportunities for physical activity.

The theme of this year's National School Lunch Week is "School Lunch - Let's Grow Healthy" and places special emphasis on Farm to School efforts. 2011 is the first year that October is also being recognized as Farm to School Month. The initiative connects schools with regional or local farms to serve healthy meals using locally produced foods.

"Farm to school activities bring fresh, locally-produced food into school meals while providing our hardworking farmers with new marketing opportunities and school children with the chance to learn about how food is produced and harvested - a win-win situation all around," said Merrigan.

During National School Lunch Week, Oct. 10-14, USDA, along with its partners, have been highlighting the positive changes in the school meals programs to promote children's health and to celebrate the program's accomplishments, including the achievements of HealthierUS School Challenge honorees and the enactment of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

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