Before adjourning for the summer recess, the U.S. Senate passed child nutrition legislation – entitled the “Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act – that provides $4.5 billion over the next ten years to fund programs to reduce childhood obesity, including First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative.

The legislation is focused primarily on low-income children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, and it would also expand a program providing after-school meals to at-risk children.

The measure also prohibits school vending machines and a la carte lines from selling candy bars and high-sugar sodas.  

The bill must now be considered in the U.S. House of Representatives where it is expected to be approved before many child nutrition programs expire on September 30th.