[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 41 (Monday, March 29, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CHILD NUTRITION IMPROVEMENT AND INTEGRITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 2004

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, obesity and poor nutritional habits are 
growing problems in our Nation, particularly among our children and 
adolescents. Health costs alone will be stratospheric in the near 
future due to the poor eating habits of our youth.
  The very foods children need for good nutrition are often grown in 
their own communities. Farm to Cafeteria projects across the country 
link farmers with local schools to serve students the freshest possible 
foods as part of the National School Lunch Program. When combined with 
nutrition education, farm visits, and school gardens, children learn to 
enjoy and even get excited about eating healthy--and at the same time 
family farmers strengthen their markets and community ties. While Farm 
to Cafeteria projects have proven cost-effective over time, schools 
often need assistance to cover the initial staff resources, training, 
and equipment required for a successful project.
  To respond to this need, our colleague Ron Kind and I have introduced 
the bipartisan Farm to Cafeteria Projects Act (H.R. 2626) that is now a 
part of this bill. The Farm-To-Cafeteria provision establishes a $10 
million competitive grant program to provide schools with up to 
$100,000 to cover these costs and garner long-term benefits for 
children, farmers, and their communities during the term of the 
reauthorization.
  I ask my colleagues to vote for this piece of legislation, to show 
the country that we care about what our children are eating.

                          ____________________