National School Lunch Week, 2002

Proclamation 7609 of October 11, 2002

National School Lunch Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The future success of our Nation depends on our
children's healthy development. Since 1946, the
National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has made important
contributions to the well-being of our school children.
As part of the NSLP, more than 96,000 schools and
residential childcare institutions serve more than 27
million children each day. In addition to providing
young people with nutritious meals, this program
supports the academic mission of our schools and helps
to ensure that all our Nation's children reach their
full potential.

To avoid the formation of poor eating habits, which are
generally established during childhood, we must
encourage positive choices that fulfill dietary
recommendations. It is critical that our children eat
sufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables, reduce fat
in their diets, and consume essential nutrients in an
overall diet with appropriate calories. By making
modest improvements to their diets and increasing
physical activities, children can dramatically improve
their overall health.

To help meet this goal, the Department of Agriculture
launched the School Meals Initiative for Healthy
Children. This plan empowers schools to serve ``kid-
friendly'' meals that meet the recommendations defined
in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food
Guide Pyramid. Through Team Nutrition, a comprehensive,
behavior-based plan, the USDA assists schools by
supporting food service personnel with important
training. New recipes are now created by teams of
dietitians and chefs, and then taste-tested by
children. As a result, more children are enjoying
lunches that are lower in fat, saturated fat, and
sodium.

To motivate children to make sound choices, Team
Nutrition also educates them about the benefits of
healthy eating. State and local governments are
supplementing these programs through innovative
partnerships with educators, school administrators,
community organizations, the food industry, and others.
Through these cooperative efforts we are addressing
solutions to health problems, such as the increasing
incidence of childhood obesity, and we are enhancing
access to nutrition programs for needy children.

During National School Lunch Week, we recognize the
hard work and dedication of the thousands of food
service professionals who plan and prepare meals, and
provide vital nutritional education to our young
people.

In recognition of the contributions of the National
School Lunch Program to the health, education, and
well-being of our Nation's children, 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 of each year as ``National
School Lunch Week'' and has requested the President to
issue a proclamation in observance of this week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 13
through October 19, 2002, as National School Lunch
Week. I call upon all Americans to join the dedicated
individuals who administer the National School Lunch
Program at the State

and local levels in appropriate activities and
celebrations that promote all programs that support the
health and well-being of our Nation's children.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B