USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed the School Nutrition Association national conference in Washington on March 5th and highlighted the Obama Administration's priorities for reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. He also issued a call to improve the nutrition and physical activity habits of the nation’s children by doubling the number of HealthierUS Schools across the country and emphasized USDA's collaboration with First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative.

"The reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act is an important opportunity to improve the health of our children and reduce hunger in this country but the federal government cannot do it alone because it's people who work in our schools that are on the front line of providing healthier meals, nutrition education and enabling more physical activity," Vilsack noted. "I am challenging parents, educators, nutrition experts, and community leaders to join us in doubling the number of HealthierUS Schools across the country in the next year because we all have a stake in improving the health and nutrition of our children."

The Obama Administration has proposed an additional $10 billion in funding over ten years starting in 2011 that will allow for improvement in the quality of the School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, increase the number of children participating and ensure that schools have the resources they need to make program changes, including training for school food service workers, upgraded kitchen equipment and additional funding for meal reimbursements for schools that are enhancing nutrition and quality. The money will also allow additional fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products to be served in school cafeterias and an additional one million students to be served the healthy diets in school.

The HealthierUS School Challenge was established to recognize schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Four levels of superior performance are awarded: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold of Distinction. Schools can participate by going to the HealthierUS School Challenge web page to learn about the range of educational and technical assistance materials that promote key aspects of the Dietary Guidelines. The website includes a menu planner for healthy school meals, and provides tips on serving more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and lower amounts of sugar, sodium, and saturated and trans fats in school menus.