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Passed with unanimous, bipartisan support
6/5/2007
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Jeff Caligiuri
(916) 319-2032
Sacramento – The State Assembly today approved Assembly Bill 1503 by Assemblymember Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield), a measure designed to improve the nutritional and quality standards of meals served at schools across the state. The legislation, introduced at the request of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, passed with unanimous, bipartisan support.
AB 1503 requires all public K-12 schools in California to discontinue the use of unhealthy fried foods and trans-fats in order to receive a 6 cent increase (from 15 to 21 cents) in the state reimbursement rate for free and reduced-priced meals. The increase in the reimbursement rate is designed to offset the higher costs of fresher and more nutritious food items.
“Our children are at an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure - it’s time we do something about it,” said Fuller. “It is crucial that our school environment support proper nutrition and the promotion of healthful eating habits. The sale of food and beverages at our schools need to be aligned with the nutrition education students receive in the classroom.”
AB 1503 will increase access to healthy food choices for children in California, which will have a life-long influence on students’ educational and physiological development. Students with limited access to nutritional foods face higher risks of obesity, childhood diabetes and a lifetime of health related problems. Poor nutrition also affects a student's ability to perform academically and is a significant contributor to a student's success or failure in the classroom.
“This measure will contribute significantly to dealing with the obesity epidemic, which is a significant cause of chronic diseases in children,” stated Fuller.
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