The Honorable George Miller
United States House of Representatives
2205 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Miller,
I’m writing to you about something that has shocked and offended me. And trust me when I say it takes a lot to shock and offend me. Some of the foods we’re feeding kids in schools are repulsive—and that unhealthy food is feeding the childhood obesity epidemic. I want to ask you to join the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in supporting the Healthy School Meals Act, which would help schools add healthy vegetarian meal options.
All kids—vegetarian or not—should have healthy options. I think we forget the simple fact that what we put in our bodies directly affects our bodies. Many kids aren’t able to bring lunches from home—they have to eat what’s in the lunch line. Without healthful options in the cafeteria, we're doing our children and the future of our country a great disservice.
That’s why I’m asking for your help. Schools want to serve better food, but they need assistance. The Healthy School Meals Act (H.R. 4870), recently introduced by Rep. Jared Polis, would provide financial rewards to help schools add more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based meal options to their lunch lines.
I’m positive we can make a difference. If we help children develop healthy habits early on, they’ll have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes in the future. And that would mean lower health care costs. See? Only good comes from this.
I know you’re as serious as I am about helping kids succeed and stay healthy.
Please join me in supporting the Healthy School Meals Act.
Sincerely,
Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman—comedian, actress, and author—has been a vegetarian since she was 10, 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.