The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry unanimously approved Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln's Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 on Tuesday, reauthorizing child nutrition programs.

The bipartisan legislation invests $4.5 billion in new child nutrition program funding over the next ten years and, for the first time in 40 years, increases the reimbursement rate for school lunch by $.06 per meal. 

During consideration of the bill, the committee approved the manager's amendment and several other amendments offered by committee members. 

Now, the bill moves to the Senate floor, however no date for floor debate has been announced. The House Education and Labor Committee is expected to mark-up their version of the bill in April after the spring district work period.

United Fresh and other child nutrition advocates are committed to a robust Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill and are actively engaged with congressional leadership to find additional funds to support key priorities.

For more information, contact Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, United Fresh vice president of nutrition and health at 202-303-3400 ext. 403.