California endorsements



	Healthy School Lunch Endorsers From the California PTA (who both endorsed and lobbied for the resolution): Dear Assemblymember Nation, The California State PTA has adopted a position of Support on ACR 16 (Nation). We support efforts to provide healthy, nutritious and varied meals in the school lunch and breakfast programs. The provision of healthy food options that meet the nutritional standards in current law is a positive step toward combating the epidemic in childhood obesity. Thank you for introducing this bill on behalf of California's children. Sincerely, Michael Butler Legislative Advocate California State PTA 500 N Street, #26 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 442-5667 American Cancer Society Dear Assemblymember Nation: On behalf of the volunteers and staff of the American Cancer Society, I am pleased to inform you of our SUPPORT of ACR 16. Cancer prevention depends on changing health habits and behaviors. Poor diet, obesity, and physical inactivity may be responsible for one out of every three cancer deaths, as many as smoking. The American Cancer Society guidelines on diet, nutrition, and cancer prevention emphasize a diet with high proportion of plant foods, limited amounts of meat, dairy, and other high-fat foods, and a balance of caloric intake and regular physical activitiy. Healthy eating means consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day for children, adults, and teen girls, and at least seven servings a day for teen boy. Surveys conducted in 1998 amongst 12 - 17 year olds, and in 1999 among children ages 9 - 11 and adults, found that only a minority of Californians met these recommendations. Vegetable and salad consumption was particularly low -- on average adults reported eating 2 servings a day, teens 1.3 servings, and children about 1.4 servings. ACR 16 will help to promote the availability of school lunch menu items featuring fruits and vegetables. I look forward to working with you on this issue. If I can assist you in any way, including research, testimony or other kinds of material support, please feel free to call. Sincerely, Theresa M. Renken Legislative Advocate American Heart Association The American Heart Association (AHA) supports ACR 16 and urges your support on legislation that provides healthy lunch options for our youth. A significant percentage of children who rely on free or reduced priced school lunches are considered at risk of diet-related diseases such as some forms of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and other degenerative diseases. AHA recommends that there be greater emphasis in the American diet on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes with a reduction in consumption of animal foods, which are generally higher in saturated fat and cholesterol. Thank you for your leadership in this area. Sincerely, Jamie Morgan Legislative Director Asthma Education & Resource Council I am writing to thank you for your courage and sensibility in taking a leadership role for the resolution ACR 16. Having vegetarian school lunches available in public schools is a long overdue and important step towards healthy eating habits for the children in California. Recent childhood obesity, diabetes, and asthma statistics are alarming and call for resolution like this one. The time has come for school nutrition to reflect current nutrition science. Shifting children's eating patterns to a healthy plant centered diet will protect against disease, behavior problems, allergies and general quality of life and self-esteem. On behalf of the Asthma Education and Resource Council, I fully support the resolution ACR 16 and hope that California will follow Hawaii's lead and vote to pass ACR 16. Again, thank you for leading California to a healthier way of life. Sincerely, Roslyn Layton Executive Director Diabetes Coalition of California We are writing on behalf of the Diabetes Coalition of California, a statewide coalition of persons with diabetes, health professionals, and organization concerned with improving the care and treatment of persons with diabetes in our state. We would like to express our support for ACR 16 (Nation), which would urge the California Department of Education and Health Services to develop nationally sound school lunch menu plans that would include a daily vegetarian meal option. Additionally, this resolution would urge the Departments to include information about multicultural and vegetarian/vegan eating patterns and nutrition educational material and instruction. Of the estimated 2.2 million individuals in California who have diabetes, and increased number of children, who are developing Type 2 diabetes at an alarming rate due, in large part, to obesity caused by poor nutrition. As vegetarian and vegan diets typically include more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes-and are generally lower in saturated fat and calories- they are an excellent option for children who are over weight and at risk for developing diabetes. Providing children with nutritional meal options and the education need to make good diet choices will help prevent obesity and keep California's children healthy. The Diabetes Coalition is committed to the prevention and detection of diabetes, and to improving diabetes care and access to care in our state so that all the persons in California who are impacted by diabetes will be supported and assisted with the management of this disease. The Diabetes Coalition of California urges you to support ACR 16. If we may provide any additional information or be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Jennifer Kent Chair, Advocacy Committee California Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO The California Federaton of Teachers supports ACR 16 (Nation). The resolution requests appropriate state agencies to develop nutritionally sound school lunch menu plans that would provide daily optional plant-centered vegetarian school lunches. The Federation believes that students should have the option of vegetarian/ vegan school lunches. Students should not be forced to provide their own lunch from home merely because they do not subscribe to the type of lunches that a majority of students eat. In addition, it could provide a healthier alternative for all students. We ask for an "AYE" vote on ACR 16 (Nation). Sincerely, Mike Weimer Legislative Representative California Association of Student Councils The California Association of Student Councils is officially in support of ACR 16, authored by Assembly Member Nation. Students all across the State ave very concerned about the quality of food they are being served. With national obesity rates at an all time high, it is time that schools begin offering students healthier choices and a wider vairety of options. If the bodies of students are properly nourished in the cafeteria, their minds will be able to properly function in the classroom. It is imperative that the meals served to the students in this State are nutritional and supplemental to student health. In a statewide survey conducted among over 2000 high school students this summer, nearly 600 listed More Healthy Food Options as one of their top five changes that would benefit their schools. The passage of this bill would be a giant step in the right direction and would benefit students not only during their time in the education system, but might also foster good eating habits that will serve students well in the future. CASC is also willing to supply testimony in favor of the bill. The students of California are in favor of ACR 16, and wish to lend their voices to the legislative process and take ownership of their education. As this bill most directly affects the state's students, any support from them could certainly prove valuable. Thank you for your ime and consideration. Dante Randazzo Governmental Affairs Program Director California Association of Student Councils American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees The AMerican Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees(AFSCME) AFL-CIO, would like to inform you of our support of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 16, as introduced. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 16 would request the appropriate state agencies to develop nutritionally sound school lunch menu plans that would provide daily optional plant-centered vegetarian school lunches and would state that nutritional education materials and instruction should include information about multicultural eating patterns and vegetarian/vegan eating patterns. As the intent of Assembly Concurrent Resolution 16 is directed at ensuring that all pupils are assured nutritionally balanced diets regardless of their food preferences and avoidances, AFSCME supports its implementation and asks for your support. Please vote YES on ACR 16! Sincerely, Willie L. Pelote, Sr. Political & Legislative Director, California Other Endorsers Include: Supporting Agencies American Heart Association Asthma Education and Research Council California Diabetes Associaiton CHIP (Coronary Health Improvement Project) CHOICE Center for Informed Food Choices EarthSave Los Angeles FARM FARM Sanctuary Food Studies Institute Health(C-BEACH), San Diego State University Humane Society of the United States National Humane Education Society Natural Resources Defense Council Native Foods, Incorporated Organic Consumers Association Osteopathic Center for Children Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Seeds of Change Society of Ethical and Religious Vegeterians Soy Happy! Youth for Environmental Sanity Medical Professionals Dr. Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, Professor & Chief, Division of Epidemiology, UCSD Dr. Gerry Boss, Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Diego Dr. Hans Diehl, Chairman, Lifestyle Medicine Institute Dr. Joel Fuhrman, New Jersey Department of Family Practices Dr. Lawrence Hansen, Professor of Pathology and Neurosciences, USD Dr. Nancy Harrison, Dept.of Pathology, Scripps Memorial Hospital Chula Vista Dr. John McDougall, Founder & Director, McDougall Program Dr. Dean Ornish, Founder/President, Preventive Medicine Research Institute Dr. Renate Pilz, Associate Professor of Medicine, UCSD Nedim Buyukmihci, Professor of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis Joy Zakarian, Senior Research Associate Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Religious Organizations Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh The International School for Krsna Consciousness Concerned Citizens California Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O'Connell Frances Moore Lappé and Anna Lappé, Co-Authors, Hope'sEdge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet John Robbins, Author, Diet for a New America & The Food Revolution James Cromwell, Celebrity Alicia Silverstone, Celebrity Bill Maher, Celebrity Dr. Ruth Heidrich, Author / Athlete 145 Individual letters from adults, families & teachers 35 Individual letters from students La Quinta High School Student Petition - 113 student signatures Multi-Area Student Petition 39 student signatures Please note: New endorsers are being added daily. Please check back to see who else has signed on to the Healthy School Lunch Initiative.