Sen. Harkin Responds to Healthy School Snacks

By Claire Kellett, Anchor/Reporter

Tools

By Kelli Code

Story Created: Oct 6, 2006 at 5:15 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 6, 2006 at 6:48 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS - Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) says promoting healthy food and drink choices in schools has been a major goal.

He applauded Friday's announcement that major food companies will make school snacks healthier. That's important because he said more than 90 percent of high schools and middle schools, and more than 80 percent of elementary schools in the U.S. have vending machines or snack bars.

Senator Harkin said, "We have to start with kids early in life, we know obesity is becoming a huge problem, poor nutrition leads to poor health later on."

Harkin said the next step is to make sure all schools make the switch.

Next Article Search for Missing Man in Cedar River Will Resume Monday

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.