First lady Michelle Obama will hold an event on Tuesday to defend her healthy school lunch initiative as Republicans try to loosen the program's standards, according to The New York Daily News.
Her campaign, called "Let's Move," was implemented in 2010 to combat childhood obesity. Sam Kass, a White House chef and director of the program, criticized the GOP for trying to allow school cafeterias go back to their old ways.
"She wants to have a conversation about what is really happening out in the country," Kass said. "These standards are working."
A House subcommittee approved a bill last week that would allow schools to waive the rules if they have a net loss on school food programs for a six-month period. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) who claimed to have heard complaints from school administrators.
Obama's initiative sets the amount of fat, calorie, sugar, and sodium intake students obtain through school lunches. The Agriculture Department -- whichs puts the rules in place -- has worked with schools after some complaints over cost.
"This is a serious threat to the tremendous progress we have made," Kass added. "This is a critical moment for our kids. We cannot afford to roll back effective programs. We need to be doubling and tripling our efforts."
While some groups are supportive of the GOP's proposed bill, there are plenty of people who agree with Kass who called the Republican bill a "real assault."
"At a time when families are working hard to live healthy lives, school meals should be supporting families' efforts, not working against them," National Parents Teacher Association President Otha Thornton wrote to members of Congress.
