Governor Bredesen Promotes School Lunch Program

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen has proclaimed October 13-17 as National School Lunch Week in Tennessee in recognition of the vital role school lunch programs play in students’ lives. School systems across the state will provide fun activities to educate Tennessee’s children about healthy, nutritious lunches. The USDA School Lunch program provides more than 600,000 meals to Tennessee students each day.

"National School Lunch falls this year during Child Health Week in Tennessee, and it's a good time to focus on the importance of healthy, nutritious meals that give students the fuel they need to excel in school and establish good habits for a lifetime of good health," Governor Bredesen said. "The school lunch program helps fill that need and complements the health education Tennessee students receive through local school nutrition programs and coordinated school health partnerships."

Students across the state are invited to participate in “Vote for School Lunch 2008” to raise awareness of the nutritional value of different school lunch options. With children’s nutrition a prominent US health concern, the “Vote” campaign also serves to educate parents and students on the nutritional programs available in schools.

“We’re fortunate to have the federally funded National School Lunch Program to provide balanced, nutritious meals to Tennessee children every school day,” said Sarah White, Tennessee Director of the School Nutrition Program. “For some children, this lunch is their most nutritious, if not their only, meal of the day.”

Every school in Tennessee is served by the National School Lunch program, providing more than 111 million meals to Tennessee students each year.

Each child may vote at www.VoteForSchoolLunch.org before the deadline on October 17.  Parents and community members can help celebrate National School Lunch Week with your local school by volunteering in a school cafeteria or visiting your child’s school to eat lunch. Families can learn more about the school nutrition programs available by contacting your local school nutrition director.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.