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Congresswoman Ramirez, USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small Meet with Parents to Discuss Children’s Nutritional Needs in IL03

May 10, 2024

Congresswoman Ramirez and USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small visited Monroe Elementary School and participated in a group discussion with local parents about nutrition and school-based meal programs

Chicago, IL – Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) welcomed USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small to meet with Palenque LSNA Parent Mentors from IL03 Chicago Public Schools ton discuss the critical role federal meal programs play in reducing child hunger and improving children’s overall health and well-being. During a closed conversation, the Congresswoman and the Deputy Secretary heard directly from constituents about the nutritional needs of their children and students and the role the federal government serves in meeting those needs through federal programs like free school lunches and summer EBT/WIC.

"Every student in IL-03 and our nation, no matter where they are born or what zip code they live in, deserves access to nutritious meals in school. Recognizing the role that school meals play in combating food insecurity for many families, I am proud to welcome Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small to our district, where she heard directly from our families about students’ nutritional needs," said Congresswoman Ramirez. "I look forward to continuing to work with Deputy Secretary Torres Small and the administration towards a future where every child has access to healthy food at school and at home."

"Ensuring students have access to healthy and nutritious meals year-round is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and the USDA," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. "I was proud to stand alongside Representative Delia Ramirez today and discuss the steps USDA is taking to improve the nutritional quality of school meals so that every child in our nation can get the nourishment they need to flourish and thrive."

The visit of Deputy Secretary Torres Small comes as the Biden Administration rolls out new school nutrition standards that prioritize the health needs of students, respect cultural and religious preferences, and support local economies. 

Congresswoman Ramirez and USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small visited Monroe Elementary School, an elementary school of 650 students located in Logan Square.
 

Issues: Health Care