Child Nutrition Survey
New Survey Shows Americans Support Expanding Child Nutrition Programs
A new national survey of 1,001 American adults released by the Child Nutrition Initiative shows tremendous support for expanding child nutrition programs that provide lunch and breakfast to children in nearly 100 percent of public schools. Expansion of the Act would allow schools to provide the nutritious options children need to stay healthy, avoid obesity and stay focused in schools. A $1 billion increase to the Act is a critical element of the Administration's recently released "Let's Move" campaign. Polling data shows that Americans from both parties and all regions of the country overwhelmingly support this $1 billion expansion.
Poll Findings:
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Fundamental belief in the country that schools play an important role in protecting children's health. 82 percent of Americans believe schools have a responsibility to make sure children are eating properly throughout the school day. -
Public's core values about child nutrition translate into nearly universal support for programs that deliver meals to the nation's kids. 83 percent of Americans support expanding the Child Nutrition Act to "provide healthier food and cover more kids." -
Support remains extraordinarily high after adding price tag. 71 percent of Americans support increasing funding for the Child Nutrition Act by $1 billion. -
In this era of intense partisanship in Washington, child nutrition stands out as receiving uniquely strong bi-partisan support. Support for a $1 billion expansion is strongly bipartisan with 85 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of Republicans in favor of the increase. -
The reauthorization process begins its efforts from a position of considerable strength as well as a relatively high awareness of specific programs. 69 percent of Americans are familiar with issues and initiatives related to the national school lunch program. -
These particular programs established by the Child Nutrition Act are very well-liked by those who are familiar with them. 86 percent of Americans have a positive association with the national school lunch program and the national school breakfast program. -
Americans' attitudes toward child hunger, nutrition, obesity, and food safety underpin the strong support for the USDA's meal programs. 84 percent of Americans support strong and well-funded child nutrition programs in schools for promoting child health and fighting obesity.
