USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Wednesday highlighted the Obama Administration's priorities for reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act. Secretary Vilsack held a national conference call with United Fresh and hundreds of concerned advocates from across the country.

On the call, Secretary Vilsack outlined the administration's goals:

1. Improve access to the school nutrition programs to end child hunger.
2. Increase participation in the School Breakfast Program and provide higher reimbursement rates for schools to serve a healthy breakfast.
3. Improve the nutritional quality of school meals, including more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat and fat free dairy products, and providing financial reimbursements for schools to serve healthier foods.
4. Include funding to improve school kitchens so they can provide meals that meet the Dietary Guidelines and offer fresh fruits and vegetables.
5. Ensure that all foods served in schools are healthy and nutritious, including foods served in vending machines and the a la carte lines.
6. Ensure that parents and students have correct and complete nutritional information about foods being served in schools.
7. Strengthen the link between local farmers and school cafeterias; supporting farm-to-school programs.
8. Guarantee the integrity of the child nutrition programs.

Secretary Vilsack also called on advocates to engage their members of Congress to demand a strong child nutrition bill.

"I was impressed to hear Secretary Vilsack repeatedly mention the need to serve more fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals and their commitment to incentivize schools to improve meal quality" said Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, United Fresh's vice president for nutrition. "Many of the Obama Administration’s priorities match our priorities for child nutrition and we are committed to working with Congress for a strong bill." For more information, contact Lorelei DiSogra.