Ag Sec'y Says Both Too Little, Too Much Food Challenge Child Nutrition

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack named both too little food and too much food as challenges for Congress to address in reauthorizing the child nutrition programs at a Club Luncheon Feb. 23.

While 16.7 million children live in households that have difficulty obtaining enough food, one third of all children are overweight or obese, he said. Vilsack called obesity rates an epidemic and endorsed First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative to add exercise to good nutrition in combating the problem.

Vilsack underlined the importance of nutrition in USDA programs by noting that food programs comprise four-fifths of the department’s budget, ranging from the Special Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps) to the Women, Infants and Children’s program that provides special nutrition to low-income pregnant and post-partum mothers and infants. He added that nearly half of all babies born in the United States participate in the program.

He focused most of his comments on the school lunch and breakfast programs. He said that 31 million children receive USDA-assisted school lunches and 11 million receive school breakfasts. USDA, he said, feeds 9 billion meals to children each year.

Vilsack declared that the expanding the programs would contribute to the economy, reduce health expenditures and enhance national security. Children who don’t eat well don’t learn well and don’t become the educated adults the economy needs, he said. Ten percent of health expenditures can be traced to obesity, he noted.

He said only 25 percent of young adults 18 to 24 are fit for military service. In fact, he said, President Harry Truman established the school lunch program as a national security measure in 1946 saying, “No nation is healthier than its children.” Vilsack said 83 percent of Americans favor expanding child nutrition programs.

Vilsack outlined a multi-point program that would improve these programs. He declined a request to name the highest priority goal, saying that a comprehensive approach is required. The approach he described included boosting participation in the programs with the goal of eliminating hunger by 2015, improving the nutritional content of meals and assisting schools by providing equipment and training. Additionally, he said, it is important to ensure that vending machines and the a la carte line not undermine the nutrition provided in lunches served under the program.

He advocated paperless online applications for programs. and competitive grants to states that would encourage innovation in program delivery. Of course, he said, food safety must be ensured as well.

Vilsack stressed the importance of educating children and parents about nutrition. To draw attention to the need for good nutrition and exercise, USDA cooperates with the National Football League, the Ad Council and the American Dairy Management Association.

The goal, he said, is to reduce intake of sugar, fat and salt and increase intake of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Vilsack told the story of a Pittsburgh Steeler who was cramping in practice during high school. The coach, the story went, had him switch from candy and soda to banana and energy drinks before practice and his performance improved so much that he eventually made the NFL.