The Honorable George Miller
United States House of Representatives
2205 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Miller:
Can you help children across America get healthier food choices at school? I know how important child nutrition is to you. That’s why I’m writing to ask you to include the provisions of the Healthy School Meals Act, H.R. 4870, in the Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill. This would help schools add healthy plant-based foods to lunch lines.
I’m a singer and songwriter with a lot of young fans, and I am deeply concerned about the health of children today. Childhood obesity has hit a record high, and a growing number of children are at risk of diabetes.
We have to help children develop better eating habits. School lunch lines should be shining examples of a healthy diet, but many school meals have far too much fat and cholesterol. Low-fat vegetarian meal options could help children stay healthy, but many schools in the United States do not offer these nutritious choices.
I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 12, and it’s important to me that children who choose to avoid meat have options at school. Adding more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based vegetarian choices would give all kids a choice that’s far healthier than greasy burgers, pizza, and fries.
Many schools are trying to serve more healthful foods, but they face some big challenges. That’s where you can really help. The Healthy School Meals Act would assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture in distributing healthier commodity foods to schools, and it would give schools financial incentives for adding more fruits, vegetables, and healthy low-fat vegetarian meal options.
I hope you’ll include the provisions of the Healthy School Meals Act in revised child nutrition legislation. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis, a three-time Grammy nominee, has been a vegetarian since she was 12, the year she wrote her first song, so she knows firsthand the importance of childhood nutrition. Now, she's asking Congress to pass the Healthy School Meals Act of 2010, H.R. 4870, which would help school food service programs serve more fruits, vegetables, and healthy plant-based vegetarian meal options.