Dear Senator/Assembly-person ______:

I am writing to ask you to support a Healthy School Lunch Resolution. This resolution would encourage schools to provide students with healthy lunches as an alternative to the standard fare of cheeseburgers, pizza and chicken nuggets. I strongly urge you to support this resolution.

We constantly read about the obesity epidemic in the United States, particularly among children, and the negative health consequences associated with obesity. An overwhelming majority of doctors, and even the USDA Food Pyramid, agree that meat and dairy products should only constitute a small portion of a healthy diet, with the majority of foods coming from grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Yet most children consume far more fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol than is healthy for them, and do not consume enough fruits and vegetables. There are currently no healthy options for students in the vast majority of (your state) schools. With fast food restaurants in many schools, and with cafeterias serving mostly fast food-style burgers and pizzas, how do we expect students to be healthy? Most people develop lifetime eating habits while they are young, so the food we provide students now can influence their dietary choices for the rest of their lives.

Furthermore, the majority of students who eat federal school lunches are of lower socioeconomic status and are at higher risk for developing obesity and diet-related diseases.

In addition to providing healthy food for all students, the lunch program recommended by a Healthy School Lunch Resolution also accommodates students who are vegetarian, kosher, or lactose intolerant, and who are currently unable to eat the vast majority of school lunches.

Clearly, the politics of the USDA's commodities program and the influence of the Cattlemen and the Dairy Council have taken priority over the health of our children for too long. This is such an important resolution, and I urge you to do all you can to support it.

Thank you for your time and efforts on this issue, which is so important to me.

Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address