Release No. 0434.05

Contact: Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623
Susan Acker (703) 305-2286

USDA OFFICIALS OBSERVE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK CELEBRATIONS

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2005-In school visits across the country next week, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials will recognize the outstanding achievements of the school lunch program as well as honoring several schools participating in USDA's HealthierUS School Challenge.

"President Bush has encouraged everyone to develop lifelong healthy eating and physical activity habits," said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. "During National School Lunch Week we will acknowledge schools that are helping our children move to a healthier lifestyle by providing a healthy school meal and teaching students to make good nutrition choices."

USDA's HealthierUS School Challenge recognizes schools that meet voluntary nutrition and physical activity standards established by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. During National School Lunch Week, USDA officials will encourage students, parents and teachers to utilize MyPyramid.gov and MyPyramid for Kids, the child-friendly version of MyPyramid. As part of the weeklong celebration, USDA officials will visit the first gold level HealthierUS school district with 49 elementary schools in Louisville, KY.

"Across the country, schools, families and communities are working to prevent childhood obesity," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Eric Bost. "MyPyramid for Kids assists schools and parents by providing new dietary guidance for children through an interactive computer game, classroom lesson plans to improve nutrition and physical activity habits."

The National School Lunch Program, administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, is a meal program that provides federal assistance to more than 100,000 schools and residential childcare institutions. Over 29 million children each school day are served nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches through the program.

School districts and independent schools choosing to take part in the school lunch program receive both a cash subsidy and commodities from USDA for meals they serve. The meals must meet federal nutrition standards and must be offered free or at reduced prices to children who meet eligibility standards.

National School Lunch Week was established in 1963 by presidential proclamation. It is designed to help raise awareness of, and support for, the role that the National School Lunch Program and nutrition education play in the lives of children. This year, National School Lunch Week runs from Oct. 10 -14.

More information about the National School Lunch Program, MyPyramid for Kids and nutrition information can be found at . Information about President Bush's Healthier US Initiative and the "5 A Day for Better Health" program can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/fitness/ and http://www.5aday.gov/

Back to the top