Statement from Vicki Escarra, President and CEO, Feeding America, on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Draft Legislative Proposal

CHICAGO, March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America President and CEO, Vicki Escarra, today issued the following statement regarding the Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act:

"On behalf of Feeding America and its more than 200 network member food banks, I thank U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, (D-Ark.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, for her leadership and commitment to advancing the Child Nutrition Reauthorization process. Through the release today of a draft legislative proposal, Chairman Lincoln has signaled her commitment to expanding nutrition program access for children in need.

Nearly one in four children in the United States is at risk of hunger. This draft legislative proposal has the potential to increase access to nutritious food both during the school day and when school is out. This is an important step in addressing the gaps for low-income children afterschool, in the summer, and over weekends and extended school holidays.

We continue to support President Obama's proposal for $10 billion over 10 years in new funding for child nutrition programs. We look forward to more details in the week ahead and stand ready to work with the Senate Agriculture Committee to secure appropriate additional funds and realize the full potential of the Child Nutrition Law to help end child hunger."

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

SOURCE Feeding America