Presidential Documents

62295 

Federal Register 

Vol. 79, No. 201 

Friday, October 17, 2014 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 9190 of October 10, 2014 

National School Lunch Week, 2014 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Ensuring access to balanced, healthy meals for all young people is essential 

to their success, and it is our responsibility as a Nation. Today, more 

than 30 million children depend on the National School Lunch Program 

for daily nutrition, and more than 13 million children are able to start 

their school day with a full stomach because of the School Breakfast Program. 

For many young people, these programs are the only regular source of 

food. That is why it is more important than ever to strengthen them and 

make sure they are supporting healthy lifestyles in classrooms across America. During National School Lunch Week, we encourage schools to expand 

access to nutritious food options, and we salute all those who work in 

our Nation’s school cafeterias and food preparation centers. Every day they 

provide essential meals to America’s students, contributing to their wellbeing and helping make sure they can fulfill their potential. 

In 1946, President Harry Truman signed the National School Lunch Act, 

which provided meals for over 7 million children in its first year. Since 

then, more than 220 billion lunches have been served, and my Administration 

is proud to continue building on this legacy—not just by increasing access 

to breakfasts and lunches, but also by working to improve their quality 

and nutritional value. When more than one-third of American children 

and adolescents are overweight or obese—and as a result, are at risk for 

conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes— 

ensuring access to healthy foods at schools helps support academic performance and improves children’s overall health. 

In 2010, I signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in order to raise nutritional standards and expand access to healthy meals. This year—in many 

of the more than 22,000 eligible schools across our country—educators and 

food service professionals are able to serve all their students free, nutritious 

breakfasts and lunches. Students now have more opportunities to eat healthy 

foods than ever before, including new options in vending machines and 

a la carte lines. And First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative 

has brought communities, schools, and elected officials together to promote 

nutrition and healthy lifestyles and empower children to make healthy 

choices in school and at home. 

By expanding access to nutritious meals, we can help put young people 

on the path to good health from their earliest days. When we provide 

our children with opportunities to live prosperous and productive lives, 

we build a Nation where all kids can reach their dreams and achieve 

the bright futures they deserve. 

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. 


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62296 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 201 / Friday, October 17, 2014 / Presidential Documents 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim the week of October 12 through October 

18, 2014, 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 tenth day of 

October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth. 

[FR Doc. 2014–24844 

Filed 10–16–14; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F5 


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