Keeping Our Kids Healthy Through Team Up for School Nutrition Success Kristy Anderson Government Relations Manager American Heart Association July 22, 2015

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is our #1 killer CVD is our costliest chronic disease 80% preventable through adopting healthy habits HEART DISEASE EFFECTS EVERYONE

Oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke More than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters ABOUT THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION We fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide critical tools and information needed to save and improve lives

Eating nutritious foods and teaching kids healthy, life-long lessons goes to the core of our mission Only 1% of kids meet ideal heart health 14% of children ages have elevated blood pressure and 90% eat too much salt One-third of kids are overweight or obese and are more likely to become obese adults and suffer from chronic disease later in life WHY SUPPORT HEALTHLY SCHOOL FOODS?

The National School Lunch Program is a $15 billion federal program 31 million+ children get school lunches 12 million+ participate in the breakfast program Many children get 50% or more of their daily calories in schools – and that number is growing, making healthy school foods critical SCHOOL FOODS BENEFIT MILLIONS OF KIDS

Evidence-based organization Policies based on rigorous science review by doctors, researchers, nutritionists Leadership has a robust scientific focus/background WE ARE THE VOICE OF SCIENCE

We educate on children’s health through: Simple Cooking by Heart Programs TEACHING THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY KIDS Teaching Gardens Jump Rope for Heart

LEARN THE LATEST |

LEARN THE LATEST facebook.com/yourethecure

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: SODIUM