First Lady Ready For Battle Over ‘Devastating’ Changes To School Nutrition Rules

First Lady, Michelle Obama, and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy, Sam Kass, went into full blown battle mode after the House Republicans dropped an Agriculture Appropriations Bill bomb on Tuesday that could destroy some of the hard-won school nutrition victories of the Let’s Move! campaign. Approved by voice vote in subcommittee, the House’s FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations Act would alter current nutrition law by requiring the Agriculture Department to grant waivers to schools struggling to comply with the mandates to serve healthier foods–low in sodium, fat, and calories, and rich in whole grain, lean protein and produce–to the 32 million children fed in the National School Lunch Program. As a result, school lunch programs will have less fruits and vegetables available to students, and therefore more sodium and sugar will be consumed. Next Tuesday, the First Lady will be discussing school nutrition issues with school leaders and school nutrition experts invited to the White House for a roundtable meeting. She’ll be urging supporters to take action. Mrs. Obama will stress the importance of students, parents, school officials, community leaders, and health advocates coming together to protect and advance the tremendous progress that has been made in schools across our country. Click here to take action.

The Fight to Label GMOs Strengthens

In a New York Time survey conducted in January 2013, some 93 percent of respondents said they wanted genetically modified ingredients to be labeled. More than 1.4 million people have signed the Center for Food Safety?s petition urging the federal agency to require G.M.O. labeling. On March 24th, millions of people from 52 countries and more than 400 cities participated in the March Against Monsanto to protest the bio-tech company, Monsanto, and the genetically engineered crops they produce. In the US, Vermont recently became the first state to require labeling of G.M.O. foods, and Connecticut and Maine have passed similar laws, though they are contingent on other states enacting legislation. It is clear that the overwhelming majority of the population believes that they have a right to know what is in their food. The louder, and more consistently, we demand changes within our food system, the sooner they will become a reality.

Historic Climate Change Rally to Take Place in NYC

In September, heads of state will be in New York City for a historic summit on climate change. During that time, thousands will gather, using this important moment to?bend the course of history. This will be the biggest demonstration in the history of the climate movement to take place in New York City. We all need to be there!?Click?here to see a formal invitation, written by Bill McKibben, Founder of?350.org, and please share it. If you’re ready to say you’ll be there,?RSVP on Facebook here. We need to show just how big and unified our movement has grown. This is the most pressing issue of our time, and generations beyond us. If you?re feeling like it?s time to change the trajectory of this planet, make your way to NYC on?September 20-21. Tell everyone!