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HEARING ON SB5436: FOODS SOLD IN SCHOOLS
FRI. FEB. 28
1:30 PM
CHERBERG BUILDING
Senate Hearing Room 1 (main floor)
OLYMPIA
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Come to the Hearing!

Please plan to attend this important hearing in the Washington Senate Education Committee. Your presence alone sends a strong message that the issue of junkfood marketing and sales in schools is very important to people all over the state. THIS IS A SUBSTITUTE BILL and weaker than the original. (Here's what we would REALLY like to see in a bill.) Nonetheless, it does require all schools to have a policy on commercialism as well as junkfood, so it is a small but significant step in the right direction.

We have great testimony lined up and now we need a great turnout! In the past few weeks, CCCS and Children's Alliance have succeeded in getting over 20 other statewide organizations to take a stand on junkfood in schools.

Make a Phone Call!

IF you live in one of the districts of a member of this committee, contact him/her before Friday and tell them how important it is to you to get Junkfood marketing and sales out of schools.

What you can say--

• Sales of junkfood in schools contribute to child obesity and diabetes.

• Schools in other states are making as much or MORE MONEY selling healthy foods and beverages in vending machines.

• Without any GUIDELINES, schools have turned into a junkfood free-for-all. This bill asks local districts to set policies to get it under control.

SSB5436 SUMMARY

This bill establishes an advisory committee in the office of the superintendent of public instruction to develop a model policy regarding access to nutritious foods, opportunities for developmentally appropriate exercise and accurate information related to these topics. The policy shall address the nutritional content of foods and beverages sold in competition with the federal school breakfast and lunch program. In addition, the advisory committee shall consider and make recommendations regarding related issues, such as: the impact of commercial marketing of products and services in schools and the availability and quality of health, nutrition and physical education curricula (recommendations due Aug. 2004) Each local school board of directors shall convene a working group during the 2003-2004 school year to advise it on issues related to nutrition in schools, physical activity of students and the marketing and sales of commercial goods and services in schoolsŠEach district's board of directors shall establish its own policy on competitive foods by August 1, 2005.

(Here's a complete draft of the bill, as of Feb 28.)

Ask for Support!

If you are a constituent of one of the following Education Committee members, please ask him/her to support SSB5436!

1st --Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe-D (N. King, S. Snohomish/Bothell)
360.786.7600
mcauliff_ro@leg.wa.gov
(CO-SPONSORED BILL; THANK HER)

2nd --Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen-D (NW Pierce Co.)
360-786-7609
rasmusse_ma@leg.wa.gov
(CO-SPONSORED BILL; THANK HER)

18th-Sen. Joe Zarelli-R (S Lewis, W. Cowlitz, N. Clark Co.)
360.786.7634
zarelli_jo@leg.wa.gov
(VICE-CHAIR; ASK FOR HIS SUPPORT)

30th--Sen. Tracey Eide-D (South King Co./Federal Way)
360.786.7658
eide_tr@leg.wa.gov
(ASK FOR HER SUPPORT)

44th--Sen. Dave Schmidt-R (S. Snohomish Co.)
360.786.7686
schmidt_da@leg.wa.gov

45th--Sen. Bill Finkbeiner-R
360.786.7672
finkbein_bi@leg.wa.gov
(ASK FOR HIS SUPPORT)

47th--Sen. Stephen L. Johnson-R (S Central King Co.)
360.786.7692
johnson_st@leg.wa.gov
(COMMITTEE CHAIR; ASK FOR HIS SUPPORT)

49TH--Sen. Don Carlson -R (Vancouver)
360.786.7696
carlson_do@leg.wa.gov
(ASK FOR HIS SUPPORT)