Washington, DC – Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, released the following statement on the announcement this morning that more kids in Colorado ate meals this summer than ever before through Colorado’s Summer Food Service Program.

“At a time when so many families are struggling through the most savage economy since the Great Depression, we have to ensure that Colorado kids are not going hungry,” Bennet said. “Thanks to the hard work by the Colorado Department of Education Nutrition Unit, and dozens of sponsors, stakeholders and workers at summer food sites across the state, more Colorado kids got to enjoy good, healthy meals this summer.

“With kids back in school, I hope more schools will join the School Breakfast Challenge, so we can get more Colorado kids eating right from beginning of the day to the end.  As the father of three little girls and a former schools superintendent, I know that a nutritious diet is an important part of kids’ ability to succeed in school.  To be ready to learn in their first class, kids need a healthy breakfast to get them started on the right track each day. 

“Across Colorado, communities are taking action to address child hunger and improve nutrition.  Earlier this year the Senate passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to help tackle these challenges. I urge the House to follow suit and act quickly on this critical issue to ensure a healthy future for our kids.”

Last month, Bennet voted for the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 to reduce childhood hunger, promote health through improved nutritional quality, reduce childhood obesity and improve program efficiency. The bipartisan, fiscally responsible bill, which passed the Senate unanimously, had broad support among public health groups and child advocates across Colorado. He also authored the State Childhood Hunger Challenge Grants Provision, which was adopted in committee and included in the bill. For more information on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, please click here.