Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is using her clout to back legislation that would make school lunches healthier. Among her ideas is to increase the federal reimbursement rate for the National School Lunch Program, which currently stands at $2.68 for a free lunch.

With school districts facing budget cuts all over the country, it's more important than ever to ensure that there's enough money and resources available to provide children with well-balanced and wholesome school meals. Increasing the federal reimbursement rate for meals would enable schools to cover the rising costs of meeting dietary guidelines and to purchase fresh, healthy foods.

Senator Gillibrand agrees, says that by increasing the federal reimbursement rate, schools will be able to provide more nutritious meals.

Here's what Senator Gillibrand said to Buffalo's WNED:

"This is an investment. I think making sure that our children don't become obese, and don't become obese adults and cost our healthcare system $500 billion a year is a very important priority."

Gillibrand "is also proposing legislation that would ban trans fats in school lunches" and "would reduce the amount of junk goods and snacks available in schools."

You can support an improved Child Nutrition Act - which is set to expire this fall - by writing a letter to your member of Congress: http://action.seiu.org/page/speakout/nutritionact