[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 26, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H5174-H5175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORT THE SCHOOL FOOD MODERNIZATION ACT

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

[[Page H5175]]

  

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak 
about the School Food Modernization Act which would help America's 
school cafeterias modernize its equipment and infrastructure.
  Earlier this week, I was proud to introduce this act with Congressman 
Mark DeSaulnier. We know nutrition plays a critical role in a child's 
development and for far too many children, sometimes the only meal of 
the day is the one that they receive at school. That is why it is 
essential to help schools access funding to purchase modern kitchen 
equipment and infrastructure.
  Some schools may be using the same equipment so long that it not only 
serves a student, but, quite frankly, served that student's parent as 
well.
  Food service staff needs modern facilities to serve high-quality, 
nutritious meals that meet the school nutritional standards. Our bill 
allows schools to participate in a loan assistance program from USDA to 
help them acquire new kitchen equipment.
  Schools would be eligible for Federal guarantees, up to 80 percent of 
the loan. It also strengthens training for food service personnel who 
want more education on how to prepare healthier meals.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation to help students 
form a lifetime of healthier eating habits.

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