Child Nutrition Initiatives Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-995
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2003-05-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural education
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Data banks
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Families
Family farms
Finance and Financial Sector
Fruit
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government procurement
Grants-in-aid
Milk
School lunch program
Social Welfare
State finance
Vegetables
WIC program

Summary:
action_date: 2003-05-05
text: Child Nutrition Initiatives Act of 2003 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) to revise, reauthorize, establish, and provide funding for certain nutritional and educational programs.
Amends NSLA to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to establish a program of incentives for healthier schools, under which a school or institution receiving funds for meals under NSLA or CNA may receive an increase in the reimbursement rate if it implements a plan for improving the nutritional value of meals consumed there by increasing the consumption of fluid milk, fruits, and vegetables, under criteria established by the Secretary. Requires such increased reimbursements to be not less than two and not more than ten cents per meal, to reflect additional costs incurred.
Amends NSLA to direct the Secretary to make competitive grants to nonprofit entities and educational institutions to establish and carry out Farm-to-Cafeteria projects that may include the purchase of equipment, the procurement of foods, and the provision of training and education activities, in order to improve access to local foods in schools and institutions receiving funds under NSLA and CNA (except the special supplemental program for women, infants, and children (WIC) which already has a WIC Farmers Market Nutrition program). Makes appropriations for Farm-to-Cafeteria projects (through transfers of specified amounts by the Secretary of Treasury).
Amends CNA to revise requirements for school breakfast and related programs to increase the required minimum amount payable for State administrative expenses, and to adjust such amount for inflation. Reauthorizes appropriations for State administrative expenses.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the WIC program should be fully funded. Reauthorizes appropriations for the WIC program, including funds for nutrition services and administration.
Makes appropriations for the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition program (through transfers of specified amounts by the Secretary of Treasury).
Makes appropriations for the Nutrition Education and Training (NET) program (through transfers of specified amounts by the Secretary of Treasury). Increases the required minimum amount for an NET grant to a State.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-05-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5737-5738)
action_date: 2003-05-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5736-5737)
action_date: 2003-05-05
text: Introduced in Senate