With the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act set to expire at the end of next month, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand brought her message to renew and strengthen the legislation to the bustling Sunset Park Recreation Summer Program.
The HHFKA seeks to improve the nutritional values of what school cafeterias and summer programs serve children and mandates that in order for school meals to be eligible for federal reimbursement, one of the main requirements is that they must contain at least ½ cup serving of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Gillibrand is also pushing to expand purchases from local food producers, particularly fresh fruit and vegetable growers and suppliers, to provide nutritious school meals and also raise students’ awareness of local agriculture.
Gillibrand is also proposing legislation that would give more children access to healthy summer meals by expanding the USDA Summer Food Service Program. The legislation would help improve nutrition and enhance learning in underserved areas by better integrating summer education and meals programs, making it easier for public-private partner organizations to participate in the summer meals program, and by providing the option of a third meal for children who attend evening enrichment programs.
“As we debate child nutrition standards, we need to make access and serving healthy food at our schools a priority,” said Gillibrand. “By preserving nutrition programs and standards at school, we are not only ensuring our kids are eating nutritious food, we are also expanding opportunities for our local farmers. In addition, the Summer Meals Act would give more children access to quality meals when school is out for the summer by strengthening the USDA summer nutrition program.”
Joining Gillibrand at the recreation center to support the measures were Sunset Park Lawmakers Assemblyman Felix Ortiz and City Council Member Carlos Menchaca.
“I applaud Senator Gillibrand for her leadership in introducing the bipartisan Summer Meals Act of 2015. The bill aims to make sure more children can access summer meals when school is out. Among its positive features would be to allow programs like this one to offer three meals a day—so important with more and more parents juggling work and child care when school is out,” said Ortiz. “More than 1,500 organizations nationwide have urged Congress to pass the Gillibrand bill—from the national group Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) to many organizations such as the Food Bank For NYC, the NYC Coalition Against Hunger, Hunger Solutions New York and many others here in New York.”
“I want to thank Senator Gillibrand for her leadership in ensuring that young people—even here in Sunset Park—have access to fresh foods and vegetables and summer meals,” said Menchaca.
“Her struggle in Washington to support working families and young people will undoubtedly be felt here in New York City. I am proud to be a partner in this cause, and to augment the call for healthy food options for our communities,” he added.
The City’s Park’s Department operates the Sunset Park Recreation Center located at 7th Avenue and 43rd Street. It keeps regular summer hours with an array of programs for the area youth, which is a strong offspring mix of Chinese-Asian and Hispanic immigrants that make up most of the area.
There are several counselors on hand, and the center features a huge outdoor pool as well as a gymnasium, computer room among other amenities.
