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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Push for Healthier School Meals for CO Kids

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010   

DENVER - Although Congress is in a "lame duck" session, one piece of legislation being considered could greatly improve the lives of Colorado children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is up for re-authorization. It provides kids from low-income families with healthy meals and snacks in school.

Cody Belzley, vice president of public affairs for the Colorado Children's Campaign, says the bill would serve one of Colorado's fastest-growing populations, children living in poverty.

"Colorado is a terrific place to grow up for many children. But more and more Colorado kids are facing the hardships of growing up in poverty."

Belzley says that from 2000 to 2009, the number of children living in poverty in the state doubled, and increased by another 30,000 children from 2008 to 2009.

She says part of the problem is that poor children often don't have access to higher-quality foods at home, which creates a seemingly contradictory problem of hunger and obesity.

"Fresh produce and healthy organic foods tend to be much more expensive. The unhealthy foods are less expensive and more conveniently located in low-income neighborhoods."

Belzley acknowledges that budgets are tight: the authorization has been stalled in Congress because of questions of how to fund the bill. But she says kids shouldn't get lost in what she calls "a political shuffle."

Alexis Weightman, senior public policy officer with the Colorado Health Foundation, notes that children get one-third to one-half of their daily calories during the school day, so providing healthy food choices is especially important.

"The legislation would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to set nutritional guidelines for all foods provided in schools nationwide, including school lunches, school breakfasts, but also vending machines, and a la carte items."

Those guidelines would make serving whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and fresh fruits and vegetables priorities on school menus.

The bill, S. 3307, was passed by the Senate in August but has yet to receive a House vote.




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