Child Nutrition Reauthorization Action Needed in Michigan!

Greetings,
I wanted to pass on this call for action related to the reauthorization of Child Nutrition Programs, which include the National School Lunch and National School Breakfast Programs, among others.

Representative Rush Holt from New Jersey has introduced a crucial bill to support Farm to School Programs. This stand-alone bill calls for $50 million in mandatory funding for Farm to School programs through a competitive grant program. The National Farm to School organization has asked for our help in Michigan to get this bill passed, first through the House of Representatives. If you live in the district of one of the key MI Representatives listed below and would like to support Farm to School, please make a quick phone call or send a letter to their office asking them to support this legislation. The key Representatives are:

*Peter Hoekstra MI-District 02 (Benzie, Wexford, Manistee, Mason, Lake, Oceana, Newaygo, Muskegon, Ottawa, and part of Allegan Counties)
(202)225-4401
(202) 226-0779
2234 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515

*Vernon J. Ehlers MI- District 03 (Kent, Ionia, and Barry Counties)
(202)225-3831
(202) 225-5144
2182 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515

*Dale E. Kildee MI-District 05 (Genesee, Tuscola, and part of Saginaw Counties)
(202)225-3611
(202) 225-6393
2107 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515

You can view a map of these Congressional Districts here - http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd?state=MI.

Attached you'll find some information about this and other bills to support Farm to School in the Child Nutrition Reauthorization, a general summary, and a sample letter and phone script you can use when communicating with your Representative.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, and please let me know if you contact your Representatives so we can help the National Farm to School organization track our efforts!

Best,

Colleen Matts
Farm to School Specialist
CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems
Michigan State University
303 Natural Resources Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1222
517.432.0310
www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu