Call Congress

Download talking points for calling:

• Rep. Nancy Pelosi
• Rep. George Miller
• Rep. Carolyn McCarthy
• Other members of the Ed & Labor Committee (Is your legislator on the committee? Check this list.)
• Rep. Sander Levin
• Rep. Pete Stark
• Rep. Jim McDermott
• Other members of the Ways & Means Committee (Is your legislator on the committee? Check this list.)

Our top priority is getting Congress to invest at least $1 billion per year in healthier school food. President Obama has proposed a $1 billion investment, but the bill currently in the Senate cuts that proposal in half. We need the House to pass a bill with full funding, which will enable schools to purchase fresh ingredients, update kitchen equipment, train staff and build relationships with local farmers.

What's more, the Senate bill pays for the investment by making a funding cut to farm conservation programs. This is a shame, because farm conservation programs help farmers use environmental practices that produce the clean, healthy food that children need in school. A better option would be to cut subsidies to the wealthy landowners who profit from unhealthy processed foods. "Direct payments," which send taxpayer dollars to corn, soy and wheat farmers no matter whether they plant any crops, are the most wasteful example.

Our other two policy priorities (stronger nutrition standards for school vending machines and support for Farm to School programs) are largely included in the Senate bill, which is very encouraging. We should urge House legislators to prioritize them, too.