​There are several child nutrition programs which help families, schools, and child care programs provide healthy foods to children. Rather than revisit each one separately, Congress uses a process called Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) to revisit and modify the permanent laws that established many of these programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010 was the most recent CNR, and certain provisions in that law expired at the end of September 2015. 

Some of the programs typically included in CNR laws are permanently authorized and have permanent authorization of appropriations.1 The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are two examples of such programs. In other words, programs of this type do not expire, even if the CNR law expires. Other programs – WIC, for example – have permanent authorization, yet their authorizations of appropriations expired when the HHFKA expired.1 Funding for these programs has been provided through yearly appropriations acts since the expiration of HHFKA. Still other programs expired and ceased to operate when HHFKA expired.

Especially in light of recent crises like the COVID pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn, CNR is an important step towards improving access to healthy food for all children. Dr. Lee Beers, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, recently reported to Congress that physicians across the nation have seen an alarming rise in child obesity – including body weight increases between 20% - 90% over the last year.2 Furthermore, Feeding America projects that 1 in 6 children may experience food insecurity in 2021.3 Both child obesity and food insecurity have been exacerbated by the current crises experienced nationwide.

Undoubtedly, Child Nutrition Reauthorization is a crucial endeavor for the 117th Congress. Thankfully, CNR is largely a bipartisan effort, and Congress has already started working towards a new CNR law to be enacted before this session ends in January 2023. 

I hope this has increased your understanding of CNR. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. For information on the Academy’s CNR stance and talking points, visit here. Also, there are several active Action Alerts in the Academy’s Action Center.

Talk Soon!

Dawn Matusz, MS, NDTR
Public Policy Coordinator



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On March 12, NvAND will be hosting our annual Legislative Day.  Why is it important?  First, there is a bill pending that affects our licensure bill.  In the Committee on Commerce and Labor hearing, there were a number of questions that were asked by the Legislators that showed an interest in the
bill, but not necessarily support.  It is still sitting in Committee before it goes to the full Assembly.  We need to be sure that all members of the Assembly and Senate realize the importance of passing this bill. 

Second, we are the nutrition professionals.  We do our jobs using strong scientific evidence.  Many times, bills might come before the legislator that affect some aspect of nutrition.  By meeting the legislators and making sure they have an understanding of who we are and what we do and that we use evidence-based information, they know they can call on us for advice.  That one-on-one relationship with legislators is important. Can you spare 15-20 minutes on March 12 to meet, virtually, with a legislator?  I have 34 appointments scheduled but not enough of our members to meet with those legislators.  If you can spare 15-20 minutes, please sign up to attend.  We will have a training/kickoff on March 5 so you will know about the bill and what to say.

Thank you to those already registered and I hope to see more of you sign up.

Kara Freeman, DrPH, RD, FAND
State Public Policy Representative

Kate Gardner Burt, PhD, RD is an assistant professor and Undergraduate Program Director of the Dietetics, Foods, and Nutrition Program at Lehman College, City University of New York. Dr. Burt is a registered dietitian and culinary nutritionist who teaches courses in cultural humility and foodways and professional practice. Her research broadly aims to reduce racial and ethnic inequities in dietetics and food systems. Within this scope, Dr. Burt’s recent work focuses on unveiling systemic racial bias in the profession and in our dietary recommendations. She received her BS in film and television from Boston University and her MS in exercise physiology and nutrition, RD and PhD in food and nutrition policy from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Register for our annual conference to hear an amazing presentation given by Dr. Burt!

Sora Julie Lee, RDN, LD is the current Diversity Liaison for NvAND. She is a clinical dietitian at Veterans Affairs. Sora Lee has served on the NvAND board for two years and joined to increase diversity in dietetics and increase cultural competency in our practice. While serving on the board she has learned more about NvAND’s role in disseminating crucial and helpful information to the members which allows her to be informed about our dietetic community and provides networking opportunities. Sora Lee stated that learning about the efforts and impacts NvAND makes in our community has been the most positive experience of serving on the board. Sora Lee thinks fellow members questioning if they should serve on the board most definitely should! It provides a supportive learning space that may bring opportunities and skill sets to enhance your profession. Sora Lee loves that NvAND has such a positive and supportive environment that celebrates and encourages each other.
The Diversity Liaison serves a 2-year term.