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ACTION ALERT: Oppose the Harkin Amendment to H.R. 2419
Please contact U.S. Senators Boxer and Feinstein TODAY to urge them to oppose the Harkin Amendment to the Farm Bill of 2007 (H.R. 2419).
Senator Harkin (D-IA) will offer an amendment to the Farm Bill of 2007 this week. This amendment would establish nationwide school nutrition standards for ALL foods and beverages sold in schools. These new standards would apply to all items sold in vending machines, a la carte lines, school stores and other campus venues throughout the school day. The Harkin Amendment would affect all school districts by imposing burdensome requirements on schools outside of the federally subsidized school breakfast and lunch programs. Further, by codifying a particular nutrition standard in statute, this amendment would restrict the authority of school boards to address local school nutrition issues.
While CSBA believes school nutrition is an important part of fostering a healthy learning environment for children, CSBA opposes additional mandates and regulations outside of the federally subsidized school meals program that would limit local control. CSBA would appreciate your advocacy efforts to oppose the Harkin Amendment.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please Oppose the Harkin Amendment to the 2007 Farm Bill!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As a local school board member and constituent in California, I am writing to urge you to oppose the Harkin Amendment to the Farm Bill of 2007 (H.R. 2419) regarding national school nutrition standards. This amendment will impose burdensome requirements on schools outside of the federally subsidized school breakfast and lunch programs. These new standards would apply to all items sold in vending machines, a la carte lines, school stores and other campus venues throughout the school day. In essence, this amendment would restrict the authority of school boards to address local school nutrition issues by codifying a particular nutrition standard in statute with which school districts would need to comply.
Additionally, this amendment would impose an unfunded mandate on schools by dictating what kinds of foods and beverages schools are able to offer their students without any federal funding to offset the potential costs to school districts.
Finally, this amendment dismisses the work of local wellness committees, which Congress required school districts to establish in 2004. These policies are just now taking effect, and should be given a chance to work.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
November 13, 2007
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