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This just in.............
Well I am off the hook. It passed. That prior email was from late last night. I guess Bonnie wanted me to talk to the Assembly members early this morning (clearly she is not familiar with my hours). See if I had not procrastinated I would have wasted my time calling Assembly members, when my lobbying was not needed for passing. And I wouldn't have been able to share all my wisdom with you guys (no snickering).
Children of California Get Much Needed Assistance
AB 569 Passes Assembly Floor
SACRAMENTO—AB 569, authored by Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, to address school nutrition received bipartisan support in the Assembly today. The bill would attack the epidemic of childhood obesity head on by requiring foods sold during breakfast and lunch periods to be sold as full meals. It would also restrict the sale of junk foods such as chips, candies and soft drinks and encourage the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables instead.
"The statistics are frightening and action is needed now to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease," stated Garcia. "The action taken by the California State Assembly sends a message that we will make children's health a priority over profits gained from fatty, greasy foods."
Health experts claim since the early 1970’s, childhood obesity rates has more than doubled for preschoolers aged 2-5 and tripled for teenagers aged 12 to 19 years. According to the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, 26.5% of children in grades 5, 7 and 9 in California are overweight. The consequences for these children are many, including low self-esteem, poor body image, discrimination and poor health.
The bill will now move to the Senate Education Committee for a hearing before moving to the Senate Floor for a vote.
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