National School Lunch Week, 2014

Proclamation 9190 of October 10, 2014

National School Lunch Week, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Ensuring access to balanced, healthy meals for all
young people is essential to their success, and it is
our responsibility as a Nation. Today, more than 30
million children depend on the National School Lunch
Program for daily nutrition, and more than 13 million
children are able to start their school day with a full
stomach because of the School Breakfast Program. For
many young people, these programs are the only regular
source of food. That is why it is more important than
ever to strengthen them and make sure they are
supporting healthy lifestyles in classrooms across
America. During National School Lunch Week, we
encourage schools to expand access to nutritious food
options, and we salute all those who work in our
Nation's school cafeterias and food preparation
centers. Every day they provide essential meals to
America's students, contributing to their well-being
and helping make sure they can fulfill their potential.

In 1946, President Harry Truman signed the National
School Lunch Act, which provided meals for over 7
million children in its first year. Since then, more
than 220 billion lunches have been served, and my
Administration is proud to continue building on this
legacy--not just by increasing access to breakfasts and
lunches, but also by working to improve their quality
and nutritional value. When more than one-third of
American children and adolescents are overweight or
obese--and as a result, are at risk for conditions like
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2
diabetes--ensuring access to healthy foods at schools
helps support academic performance and improves
children's overall health.

In 2010, I signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in
order to raise nutritional standards and expand access
to healthy meals. This year--in many of the more than
22,000 eligible schools across our country--educators
and food service professionals are able to serve all
their students free, nutritious breakfasts and lunches.
Students now have more opportunities to eat healthy
foods than ever before, including new options in
vending machines and a la carte lines. And First Lady
Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative has brought
communities, schools, and elected officials together to
promote nutrition and healthy lifestyles and empower
children to make healthy choices in school and at home.

By expanding access to nutritious meals, we can help
put young people on the path to good health from their
earliest days. When we provide our children with
opportunities to live prosperous and productive lives,
we build a Nation where all kids can reach their dreams
and achieve the bright futures they deserve.

The Congress, by joint resolution of October 9, 1962
(Public Law 87-780), as amended, has designated the
week beginning on the second Sunday in October each
year as ``National School Lunch Week'' and has
requested the President to issue a proclamation in
observance of this week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week
of October 12 through October 18, 2014, as National
School Lunch Week. I call upon all Americans to join
the dedicated individuals who administer the National
School Lunch Program in appropriate activities that
support the health and well-being of our Nation's
children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.