[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62295-62296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24844]




                        Presidential Documents 



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

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 62295]]

                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 well-being 
                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.

[[Page 62296]]

                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.
                <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2014-24844
Filed 10-16-14; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F5