Presidential Documents

63691 

Federal Register 

Vol. 75, No. 199 

Friday, October 15, 2010 

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. 

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63692 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 199 / Friday, October 15, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. 2010–26218 

Filed 10–14–10; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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