February 2, 2007

Testimony for HB479, Improve access to healthy school meals.

Chairman Jore and members of the committee: For the record my name is Carolyn Smillie, I am a junior at Carroll College and am interning with the Montana Catholic Conference this session. The Montana Catholic Conference is the public policy arm for the two Catholic Bishops in Montana, representing over 140,000 Catholics in the two dioceses statewide.

I am here today to testify on behalf of the Montana Catholic Conference for the Montana children who would be positively affected by this bill.

The Montana Catholic Conference upholds the strides public policy has taken to ensure that schoolchildren are fed in a safe and healthy environment.

In the summer of 2005 I volunteered with a summer food service program in Helena, which is the same program present in schools during the year. Every day lunch would be provided at public parks throughout Helena. At these locations I witnessed firsthand the positive outcome that these lunches had on underprivileged children in Montana.

Many Montana children benefit greatly from free lunch and breakfast programs. But there are places in which the most basic of amenities are needed either to implement or to continue these services. Many children go without essential nutrition because their school does not own milk coolers or steam tables to keep their food at a safe temperature. Others lack basic necessities like tables, (I am told at Helena Middle School students sit on the floor for lack of proper seating); still more lack ovens and transport equipment, or even refrigerators and freezers. This equipment is essential and yet impossible to get without the necessary funds.

Every child in Montana deserves an equal chance to succeed. House Bill 479 provides the means of assistance to Montana schools that would provide for these necessities.

I thank Representative Raser for sponsoring this bill and urge a do pass. Thank you Mr. Chairman and the members of this committee for your time and attention.