Despite upfront costs, food bill a good investment

President Barack Obama was to sign a bill today that may increase the national debt by $4.5 billion over the next 10 years and expand government intrusion into everything from school vending machines to math club bake sales.

Because of the importance of school lunches to most children, however, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is a good idea.

First lady Michelle Obama has made childhood obesity a priority, vowing to put an end to it in one generation.

Too many children are eating too much junk food, and without school lunch programs, too many of them would go without one or two decent meals a day.

In our land of abundance, that is an outrage. Yes, many kids are under- or improperly nourished because of the irresponsibility of the adults in their lives, but that is through no fault of the children. Many other responsible families are struggling because of the economy.

The bill will expand free school meals as well as give Washington the power to decide what kinds of foods may be sold in vending machines, lunch lines and fundraisers during school hours.

It increases federal reimbursement for free school lunches by 6 cents a meal, something sorely needed by many local school districts. It will allow 20 million additional after-school meals each year in all 50 states. Most states now only provide money for after-school snacks.

Kids might not have to do without pizza and hamburgers, but they likely will be eating food made with leaner meat and more whole grains, and vending machines will be stocked with less candy and fewer high-calorie drinks.

The USDA may be able to decide how many school-sponsored fundraisers featuring snacks will be allowed.

In an ideal world, parents would have the money, wisdom and determination to see to it that their children eat only healthy foods and get plenty of exercise.

In the real world, too many American children spend their time in front of televisions or video screens filling up on sugary and fatty foods.

In the real world, obese children are likely to turn into obese, unhealthy adults requiring more than their share of medical attention.

Dollars spent today to try to reduce that likelihood is money well spent.