[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 196 (Thursday, October 14, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 57003-57004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22511]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 196 / Thursday, October 14, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 57003]]

                Proclamation 10279 of October 8, 2021

                
National School Lunch Week, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program has 
                provided nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost 
                lunches in our schools, improving our children's health 
                and well-being. School meals are one of the most 
                powerful ways in which our Nation promotes health and 
                ensures children receive the nutritious food they need 
                to be successful in the classroom. Today, tens of 
                millions of children participate in the program. During 
                National School Lunch Week, we recognize the integral 
                role the National School Lunch Program plays in 
                contributing to student health, reducing child hunger, 
                and supporting American agriculture.

                The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the importance of 
                the National School Lunch Program for millions of 
                children who rely on school meals. During the darkest 
                days of the pandemic when businesses closed, people 
                lost their jobs, and millions of Americans turned to 
                food banks to feed their families, school meals 
                remained a consistent source of quality nutrition.

                My Administration is dedicated to nutrition, food 
                security, and ensuring that school meals are accessible 
                to all children. This includes a commitment to 
                providing safe, healthy meals free of charge to 
                children, especially as the pandemic continues to 
                compromise the food and nutrition security of our most 
                vulnerable students. To help the millions of families 
                who struggled to provide meals for their children 
                during the pandemic, the American Rescue Plan provided 
                additional emergency food and nutrition assistance for 
                those in need.

                School meals would not be possible without the 
                remarkable work of our Nation's farmers and food 
                producers. This year, my Administration awarded $12 
                million in Farm to School Grants to 176 grantees--the 
                most projects the Federal Government has funded since 
                the program began in 2013. These grants increase access 
                to locally produced foods, enhance agricultural 
                education for students, and support local farmers. 
                Strong partnership with local farmers is key to our 
                efforts to improve nutrition security and increase 
                access to healthy foods in schools. During National 
                School Lunch Week, we show our appreciation to our 
                local farmers who supply the foods that keep our 
                children well-nourished and ready to learn.

                During National School Lunch Week, we also honor the 
                commitment and dedication of the school nutrition 
                professionals who have gone above and beyond to 
                continue providing meals to students despite the 
                continuing challenges of a once-in-a-century pandemic. 
                They have continually found new and creative ways to 
                meet the moment and ensure that students who depend on 
                school meals for nourishment are able to grow and 
                thrive.

                The Congress, by joint resolution of October 9, 1962 
                (Public Law 87-780), as amended, has designated the 
                week beginning on the second Sunday in October each 
                year as ``National School Lunch Week'' and has 
                requested the President to issue a proclamation in 
                observance of this week.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, by virtue of the 
                authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws 
                of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 10 
                through

[[Page 57004]]

                October 16, 2021, as National School Lunch Week. I call 
                upon all Americans to recognize and commemorate all 
                those who operate the National School Lunch Program 
                with activities that raise awareness of the steadfast 
                efforts in supporting the health and well-being of our 
                Nation's children.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-22511
Filed 10-13-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F2-P