First Lady Michelle Obama's White House garden, says the LA Times, is giving nutrition advocates "increased hope that Congress would bolster the school lunch program" when "it takes up renewing the Child Nutrition Act."

Ideas for improving the bill have many excited, with many different components being considered.

The LA Times reports that one of the portions "would give the Department of Agriculture authority to update decades-old standards" in regards to the types of food children can buy at stores and vending machines. The current standards are "inconsistent and often unhealthy," according to Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), who is the author of the U.S. House bill.

Other priorities include "expanding the breakfast program," because experts say that "starting the day hungry" affects "children's ability to behave and learn," as well as methods to "streamline the way students are deemed eligible for free meals" so that "more children qualify."

We've also weighed in on how reforming the Child Nutrition Act can help improve food safety, ensure that school food service workers are properly trained, and allows for sick days so that workers aren't forced to choose between preparing food while sick or losing a day's pay for their families. Take a look here: http://campaignforqualityservices.org/workers/

You can read the full article here.