As Congress takes up the Child Nutrition Act—which reauthorizes the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs—we have a great opportunity to call for soymilk to be included for those children who cannot drink cow's milk for religious, ethical, or health reasons. For years, the U.S. government has subsidized school districts so that they can offer cow's milk to millions of economically-disadvantaged school children. Soy milk has only been provided to children who can produce a doctor's note explaining why they need non-dairy beverages. Yet children who are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals often lack routine access to a doctor, so they're unable to obtain such a "permission slip." Allowing soy milk—a nutritious, humane alternative to cow's milk—would solve this problem for many children who need or prefer non-dairy beverages.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Members of the dairy industry have vowed "to fight the soymilk encroachment head on,"and soymilk supporters need to fight back with equal vigor. Contact the following key legislators and urge them to allow soymilk to be a reimbursable School Lunch and Breakfast option when they reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act:
Senate Agriculture Committee:
Chairman Thad Cochran, 202-224-2035
Ranking Democrat Tom Harkin, 202-224-2035 (same # but ask to speak with the Minority office)
House Education and the Work Force
Chairman John Boehner, 202-225-4527
Ranking Democrat George Miller, 202-225-3725
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