National School Lunch Week, 2010

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Part V

The President

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Proclamation 8583--National School Lunch Week, 2010

Proclamation 8584--Columbus Day, 2010

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8583 of October 8, 2010

National School Lunch Week, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

No child should have to learn on an empty stomach.
Nearly 65 years ago, America made protecting the health
of our children a national priority by developing the
National School Lunch Program. This groundbreaking
program has prevented hunger and promoted education by
enabling our young people to have access to safe,
balanced, and affordable meals at school. It has also
supported their development, encouraged their learning
capacity, and instilled life-long healthy habits. This
year, during National School Lunch Week, we recognize
the vital importance of this historic program, and we
recommit to serving meals that will contribute to the
health and well-being of a new generation.

With more than 31 million children participating in the
National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million
in the School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at
school is more vital than ever. When one in three
children in this country is overweight or obese, we all
have a responsibility to make sure our kids receive
good nutrition at school and learn to make healthy
choices early in life. This is an essential part of
First Lady Michelle Obama's ``Let's Move!'' initiative,
which is a nationwide campaign dedicated to ending the
epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation so
that children can reach adulthood at a healthy weight.

To foster school environments that encourage physical
activity and nourishing diets, ``Let's Move!'' is
partnering with the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to increase the number of schools
that participate in the HealthierUS School Challenge.
The Challenge establishes rigorous standards for
nutritional quality in school food, participation in
meal programs, physical activity, and nutrition
education--all key components that make for healthy,
active children.

Chefs across America are also helping create nutritious
and appealing school meals. Over 1,900 have volunteered
to offer their unique talents and knowledge of food and
nutrition to ``Chefs Move to Schools,'' an initiative
that pairs chefs with interested schools in their
communities. Together, chefs and school administrators
are creating wholesome meals while teaching young
people about nutrition and making balanced, healthy
choices. I invite all Americans to visit LetsMove.gov
to learn more about this initiative and other
strategies to raise a healthier generation of kids.

To provide more fruits, vegetables, and other fresh and
nutritious foods for school meals, the USDA is also
working to develop farm-to-school partnerships with
local farmers, States, localities, tribal authorities,
school districts, and community organizations. The USDA
Farm to School Team is helping to provide quality foods
in school menus, to increase markets for local farms,
and to teach young people of all ages about the source
of the food they enjoy. To enable school cafeterias
across our Nation to prepare these healthy foods, the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded the
purchase of new food service equipment such as salad
bars, and the replacement of aging or outdated
appliances such as deep fryers.

This week provides us with an opportunity to reflect on
the critical role the National School Lunch Program
plays in promoting the health and well-being of
tomorrow's leaders. We also recognize the talent and
dedication of all the food service professionals,
educators, program administrators, and parents whose
time and energy help ensure America's students have the
healthy food necessary to grow and succeed.

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 10 through October 16, 2010, 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
eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.