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The U.S. House has approved a measure that would provide $82.8 billion for several federal nutrition programs, Reuters reports. The funding was carved out of $121 billion in funding appropriated for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the federal Food and Drug Administration for the fiscal year (FY) that began October 1. Specifically, the bill includes a one-year extension of child nutrition programs valued at $16.9 billion, marking a $1.9 billion increase over fiscal year 2009. In addition, the Women, Infants and Children food program will be allotted $7.25 billion, an increase from $398 million from the previous FY, while the federal food stamp program will receive $58.3 billion, representing a $4.3 billion increase over FY 2009. Meanwhile, recognizing the potential for an H1N1 epidemic, the bill includes a provision that would allow the government to provide assistance to families with children who receive free or reduced-price lunches if schools are forced to close for five or more consecutive days. A representative for the School Nutrition Association says the school lunch clause will ensure that child nutrition "is not overlooked in the midst of a pandemic emergency." The bill also provides $350 million for dairy farmers, with $60 million earmarked to provide dairy products for donation to food banks and a minimum of $5.3 million for a livestock tracking system. In addition, the bill includes a resolution to a two-year-old ban on imports of poultry processed in China that will require the USDA to inspect Chinese food plants before shipments are allowed, perform annual audits and enhance inspections of products at their U.S. ports of entry. The Senate will now consider the bill (Abbott, Reuters, 10/8/09).