Child Nutrition Reauthorization
Child nutrition legislation is scheduled to be reauthorized in 2009. Covered under this legislation are the school
meal program, the WIC program, child and adult care food, and several other programs. The USDA is accepting
comments on this topic through October 15. Go to the USDA's site for more information:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/Sessions/default.htm

Farm Bill
The 2007/08 Farm Bill was at long last adopted by Congress in May, 2008. This Farm Bill took several steps in
the movement to recognize food stamps as a nutrition program rather than a "welfare program."
  • The name of the Food Stamp Program was changed to the "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program"
    (SNAP)
  • Nutrition education was authorized through the statute as an optional component of the program
  • The Manager's Report which accompanies the legislation, also includes the following statement: "The
    Managers expect that the Secretary will support and encourage implementation of the most effective
    methods, informed by current science, for nutrition education under the Food and Nutrition Act,
    including those that are consistent with recommendations and actions of expert bodies to promote
    healthy eating and physical activity behavior change. Funds provided under the Food and Nutrition Act
    should be used for activities that promote the most effective implementation of programs to increase the
    likelihood that recipients of, and those potentially eligible for, supplemental nutrition assistance program
    benefits will choose diets and physical activity practices consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for
    Americans. The Managers recognize that state nutrition education activities under the Food and Nutrition
    Act work best when coordinated with other federally funded food assistance and public health programs
    and when policies are implemented to leverage public/private partnerships to maximize the resources and
    impact of the programs."

California Legislation
CAN-Act's positions on 2008 proposed legislation:
Support
  • AB 433, Beall - Changes to food stamp asset limit
  • AB 1966, Garcia - School breakfast
  • AB 1996, Swanson - Food stamp eligibility
  • AB 2300, Laird, School meal direct certification
  • AB 2474, Gagliani - Obesity prevention coordination
  • AB 2704, Leno, Water availability in schools
  • AB 2708, Solorio, Restaurant logos in school food service
  • AB 2726, Leno, Healthy food purchase pilot program
  • AB 2844, Laird, Food stamp reporting
  • SB 441, Torlakson, Vending machines
  • SB 1101, Cedillo, Emergency Food Program tax check off
Oppose
  • AB 2572, Parra - Menu labeling - Oppose
CAN-Act Policy Issues