Now more than ever we must show our support for school nutrition programs. As an increasing number American families struggle to make ends meet, school meals take on economic as well as nutritional importance AND as we know, childhood obesity is one of the most pressing health problems facing our nation's youth. The quality of school meals is critically important. We must take action to empower our children. Please don't delay - your email today can help make improvements to school nutrition programs a reality by the beginning of the next school year.

Here's How we ask Congress to renew and fund the school nutrition programs:

1. Find your state representative's contact form. All you need to know is your 9 digit zip code.
2. Copy and paste the letter at the bottom of this post and add any other relevant comments or observations from your experience.

** To learn about the child nutrition bill re-authorization visit the School Nutrition Association

Now, a perfect time to reward yourself with one of my favorite Savor meditations:

The Internet/ Email Meditation. I engage this often as I can become a captive of my own computer.

Breathing in, I thank the power of the Internet.
Breathing out, I am fully conscious of my current e-mail actions.

Beautiful and rejuvenating. Thank you Savor!

Your fellow Savor Community member,

Olivia Coleman

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Senator:

 Given the many pressing issues Congress and the Administration have had to deal with recently, renewal of the child nutrition programs has been delayed for more than a year.  But the future of the nation rests on the future health of our children. Our childrens' nutrition and health can wait no longer.

More than 12.5 million American children are obese. Also, in this tough economy, American families are struggling to make ends meet and depend on the school lunch, breakfast, and other child nutrition programs to feed their families. A recent study reveals that one out of every seven low-income, preschool-aged children is obese. The prevalence of obesity in low-income two to four year-olds increased from 12.4 percent in 1998 to 14.6 percent in 2008.

As a concerned citizen, I ask that you work with Senate leaders, Senators Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell, to fully fund and move the child nutrition re-authorization bill to the Senate floor for a vote in April.

Congratulations to Senators Blanche Lincoln and Saxby Chambliss for working across party lines to pass a strong child nutrition bill out of the Senate Agriculture Committee. It's now time for the full Senate the pass the bill so that the new reforms and resources will reach children by the next school year. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

(Your name)