OXIESEC PANEL

Name	Size	Modified	Perms
📁 ..	-	03/17/2019 06:24:57 AM	rwxrwxr-x
📄 03036edfece701eaa1537fea4014dd44.spc	52.22 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:52 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 04d0c6cc2bf146b1318b78f84416b912.spc	123.26 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:28 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 0582678c8cfff117f770f9368b70c2b5.spc	19.97 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:53 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 06d19ca88661ebf5f2459dd4315a2bb1.spc	169 bytes	02/11/2020 10:50:53 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 09c20f5ef1098fa6a0dcbf757db22c44.spc	212.6 KB	03/07/2020 03:53:26 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 0bb533998a40e1ca3cefc59d6e542fc8.spc	34.69 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:53 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 0ed254d4d9db6e3afe193b00bc6471bb.spc	31.22 KB	03/11/2020 01:28:56 PM	rw-r--r--
📄 1469d584e9747d132077c9df3cda6c97.spc	121.54 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:28 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 1608544648e39ada42071bed51f3b175.spc	192.61 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:54 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 1857fc578c17e6145bcf223d333aa48d.spc	79.19 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:54 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 192555ba2ac5f902a3e3f1c0e4aae46c.spc	176 bytes	02/11/2020 10:50:54 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 196f73e8cf4330017ab92ef17541ebea.spc	34.06 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:54 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 19d7e90c3867383bc4790ba57a9f0a5c.spc	39.17 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:54 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 19f3a21c36072f501f634db8e658bc9f.spc	17.31 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:54 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 1a2ad7ec8e9ae3e242926fdbb1c728ec.spc	34.11 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:55 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 1afdf65a8c3ff9f8db7a8f10b580c286.spc	41.69 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:55 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 1bb80174ec75e092e3e7dbd063def8b9.spc	29.45 KB	03/06/2020 06:31:05 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 1de9a562a6be22df63820a9463bcd78e.spc	168 bytes	02/11/2020 10:50:55 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 1e85d1a99d268e01b229ade5baf241c4.spc	40.19 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:55 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 23796aacf2848a8f58cd3ef3f69e38fc.spc	419.69 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:56 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 2408c179b723e6418904b92398f6b137.spc	83.21 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:57 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 242d3dabf79d13154fcc384ff8b2d25e.spc	138.23 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:24 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 24739622a680323db111e64a3e3c3305.spc	13.08 KB	03/11/2020 01:28:57 PM	rw-r--r--
📄 26ad3f3473af193dfc893e18704c9003.spc	5.83 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:58 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 2799184659106c88b5072a3e3f763a4d.spc	12.3 KB	02/11/2020 10:50:58 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 2abcd685295b4a261ad2e866188e5e11.spc	123.52 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:29 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 2d3ca8b6dffd0b708a87b587b3ae50cc.spc	48.87 KB	08/11/2020 06:13:30 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 30d0eeac4a6b2d98cdef50ef2edffa28.spc	38.41 KB	07/21/2020 08:32:16 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 30d5af6cd4c10ea02520bcaba31f3d1c.spc	474.22 KB	02/20/2020 06:35:59 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 3291222baa2e5dd4e0c4863cead17f0a.spc	366.46 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:02 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 346a1bcfe350fe2a1953cd7fbdc86186.spc	33.68 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:03 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 3691c57bc9ef4dc350ce3298a8291556.spc	34.69 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:02 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 38d3dc98ecc1c3d1c27452a54603959b.spc	30.38 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:02 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 3f7816c2aa3e261331a0214ae283daba.spc	36.88 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:03 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 3fabe39fe5de4def5db0b070e9d0c12e.spc	89.1 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:03 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 402e99fadf0b4cfb19572847e3765644.spc	31.17 KB	02/20/2020 06:35:54 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 403c286cb5177de3aee8ae96d600e668.spc	22.17 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:03 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 473e9ea85fa887bf730a58a3138e8427.spc	51.38 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:03 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 47481ffe1d8aa644664a3e0c5e57b911.spc	33.55 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:04 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 4b9b019425e46aa5699b25b164731ea6.spc	191 bytes	02/11/2020 10:51:04 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 4e8baeaef3679f9460ffdecddbb1f6a7.spc	38.47 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:04 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 4eb2ea2e7b4ee9f516345a8e766106ea.spc	41.31 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:04 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 4eb3be40ca0ee332f013def0ede20b51.spc	57.32 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:04 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 4eea197c2a9df7be5770ed85a45166af.spc	32.13 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:04 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 50df6b48e1a1b469b4fa9e86fc0c5018.spc	33.52 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:05 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 51447ae67b6d856982df0ea0496cf24b.spc	27.75 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:05 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 52598486d45e22d0c8e6d2cb26125d0e.spc	185 bytes	02/11/2020 10:51:05 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 52db6769e7a09162da92fb931530d490.spc	251 bytes	02/11/2020 10:51:05 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 557bca13c9bf58c561d365f34528cf99.spc	660.96 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:10 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 569a7c623553d15856943f80ff0d9ef0.spc	38.82 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:05 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 588359e68ff59d4ef53aaf3edb6a44cf.spc	5.91 KB	03/29/2020 11:25:33 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 593ed9fb92861195f982096e36a276a5.spc	78.73 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:08 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 59b7e8b10798f98d6ede55dc16d36abd.spc	286.35 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:10 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 5b48fed85f692b870a2e1c54eb110eea.spc	92.95 KB	02/27/2020 05:27:34 PM	rw-r--r--
📄 5b894986f9f55d997ed60e84c8fb60c7.spc	32.87 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:10 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 5c46aa1f7a9fbddb1de61f99e41c4c73.spc	27.51 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:10 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 5c541078070a50b4ef826d433fcade97.spc	203 bytes	02/27/2020 05:27:37 PM	rw-r--r--
📄 5c744a4198beb7326dcf101f961486b4.spc	56.9 KB	08/20/2020 06:22:11 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 5ef8b2cef4776b3e3f9f79092ce932ca.spc	123.2 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:29 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 60bc545cda9dafe75484b88be1dd4ae9.spc	62.66 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:27 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 60cdba7804abf8b71744dac57a1fd036.spc	37.57 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:12 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 6270f865db79068a5dedb78ba877e7a0.spc	32.31 KB	04/10/2020 11:49:32 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 64e0619d4a6fcecb77cd4fa41dd6658c.spc	43.69 KB	02/20/2020 07:08:27 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 66267a4d6dba7887fc7d4a1aa2da9b75.spc	124.15 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:28 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 6b370910388637897c5bc54c01bf6458.spc	39.47 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:12 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 6cedd2c7609f97e8201f50ac95407eb3.spc	373.91 KB	02/14/2020 05:05:41 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 6f3a7e432f89d87825c8f322156d359e.spc	105 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:14 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 6fb29d2636fbee8586653a44de845c14.spc	36.78 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:15 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 73bb6c1505db5ddb104f30c60b108890.spc	41.35 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:15 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 75223b5917c4f5312a6c6a8aecd9f9e6.spc	50.85 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:15 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 77ff73ee1cbbb4a6cb4bb52bbfd0543c.spc	94.22 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:15 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 7947ab9dba76b764cad321483ebe03c4.spc	26.63 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:16 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 7c2f1bde8d6c3ddb510b8089c44af91e.spc	43.81 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:16 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 7d1ab5c52f2c3ab33c409e73bedecc5e.spc	3.86 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:16 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 7f39e24ab9c263578364ff0fcde11837.spc	168.82 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:17 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 7fb89d7009fbbd9a5c1c2dcac2e055af.spc	2.12 MB	02/11/2020 10:51:32 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 80d5eace46cca553f0c7e7a631ed6703.spc	122.15 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:29 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 8464ad04f90f3f666985ad6a300191a2.spc	183.31 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:21 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 87bb9147a3420bb80136500148ef65dd.spc	373.91 KB	02/14/2020 05:06:32 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 89342927fe6500da4a2cd74e4c24cd84.spc	63.45 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:24 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 8bbfe139e67e5f738b9ffcb18a7c5b86.spc	92.25 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:26 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 8ddc5ee335658bf8ec6b8844cf85c93f.spc	38.21 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:26 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 8e912fe5f85715a1da6db5b96e9f1c91.spc	39.3 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:27 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 8edc68ba045edb463abe484c4485b3c1.spc	299 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:29 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 906b5d59de170e528244744b925a8af5.spc	32.01 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:25 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 925665a1ef421d5783a6690aaf7df881.spc	8.67 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:30 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 92c4233c5ea49b0f47ba9af6486e17f6.spc	30.9 KB	02/14/2020 10:55:56 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 93e4fd43857be9fead41ffa09315517f.spc	34.1 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:32 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 94b8ccc457e138e62b74ac96766909fe.spc	43.13 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:32 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 96c4f97f5353d399aeef3f49fcc0bd5a.spc	57.89 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:32 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 99e1eb580536f979670980ef56caa779.spc	87.52 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:33 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 9b4ca5bfc6880bed7985069758de6a4f.spc	38.89 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:33 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 Base.php	3.35 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:42 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 DB.php	4.6 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:53 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 File.php	4.19 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:02 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 Memcache.php	4.81 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:02 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 Memcached.php	5.27 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:02 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 MySQL.php	12.67 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:02 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 Redis.php	3.77 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:02 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 a3f94d98665e5d26445aa2956b13985d.spc	138.35 KB	03/29/2020 01:13:19 PM	rw-r--r--
📄 a40a776457ebfa5dcaef5c99f859250c.spc	126.09 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:33 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 a4a2ea47955d1ebd2b59a41a045b89ba.spc	86.78 KB	07/20/2020 05:27:37 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 a68acd2dce64f10ba3d23b96452cbd57.spc	53.71 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:34 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 a989cfbb4ebcd4ea5aede2f8d18f6b80.spc	114.06 KB	03/29/2020 01:13:18 PM	rw-r--r--
📄 aaf764fb46ef69a016d4d915512cedd4.spc	677.76 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:41 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 abea4df88cf62a5d9a03eb72a825b2f5.spc	23.09 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:36 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 abfe9571c106187db93288b1ea97357a.spc	28.61 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:36 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 ac468e6e3b78f7a8673a1be751be1226.spc	64.53 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:38 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 adb710891b75ea3e9d2379f0460c1d19.spc	65.91 KB	04/11/2020 06:44:20 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 adb7ca764a42bad01a0ccae2df09c2fa.spc	34.34 KB	03/29/2020 01:13:20 PM	rw-r--r--
📄 b1fc76c9199e2130438d81b6297c73fa.spc	124.12 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:29 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 b44b9e448df189cee8d7c7774273267b.spc	61.57 KB	08/22/2020 05:21:09 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 b5b9fb6ba1e724416126f7788d4bd8b7.spc	19.39 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:42 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 b95f1bb33446efbc7fa195b29ff261c6.spc	27.65 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:42 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 babee465717bca2404982e2751c61c53.spc	176 bytes	02/11/2020 10:51:42 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 bd3c5c1472767419fe12061049343483.spc	122.93 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:29 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 beb279d0ed1b28135d1331bbeb778b85.spc	39.34 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:27 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 c033b35e93579cf666101f023d034851.spc	108.48 KB	02/20/2020 06:35:51 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 c168527cd70d44755d5e3dc302cff303.spc	71.23 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:44 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 c31156c2178130a5e98ebbb8b2f61319.spc	32.33 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:25 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 c36e33d44db45f66ded3082899946005.spc	38.34 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:45 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 c3ae4c4faa1570ab007529b2461aed7c.spc	70.81 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:46 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 c49105af5fef08449f157af0549bf58b.spc	22.82 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:26 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 c62b9f08975a3ce69acf5001c1be6fc0.spc	828.2 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:51 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 c70815c1694d1b436d240d9290d75605.spc	139.88 KB	02/27/2020 05:27:37 PM	rw-r--r--
📄 c96754afef1f81a69a0494827bfa975c.spc	61.67 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:51 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 c97a7600c7331a10d8231324118b3a67.spc	19.75 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:48 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 cc6545fb14fe412555c86b6880afe2fb.spc	192 bytes	07/19/2020 12:01:09 PM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 cdb828b9de2723669f8b1a1352709ee2.spc	387.08 KB	02/27/2020 05:27:35 PM	rw-r--r--
📄 cfba70f3409c5425ded2d8430338d49a.spc	52.97 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:52 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 d537e9e237a12ec958fea41eced57151.spc	186 bytes	02/11/2020 10:51:52 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 d7881a7f1d63da45f197c9a2e16999e4.spc	16.18 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:52 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 d8c5aac1146a5e6b3c91488029d275be.spc	27.99 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:52 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 d8eefb559112e58cb4dab21367a186e2.spc	228.32 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:53 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 d9db250644ba2877f115f509ace5a7b5.spc	28.08 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:53 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 dc319385e4015b85de4c0dee8d535f8f.spc	37.1 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:53 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 dc7b0425002a35c26a812e42646cc5af.spc	111 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:28 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 debf9c17532a02a6e6db578a7f3a4646.spc	142.69 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:54 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 defbb59ea45d623ea1c51ac8743c90ea.spc	165 bytes	02/11/2020 10:51:54 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 df45183a85d0f0324d9f35c8c667f311.spc	124.89 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:28 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 e095b95df0ddae888ac7f451f20129bc.spc	38.71 KB	07/21/2020 08:32:17 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 e2003b6fa97074e2942822467b17062e.spc	26.48 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:55 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 e2a37cd95187c01162d6f71089afe300.spc	50.54 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:55 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 e57f0a350e6688a01a91dda64cfa2101.spc	122.43 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:55 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 e5dae6ccace4ca4cc8216461dda29c74.spc	100.76 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:56 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 e76dbae7c8f284493808fa5931a959ea.spc	37.61 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:56 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 ea703f3e5c39f76615e5a8b975f794a2.spc	19.19 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:56 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 ea82db2f68568b4765fcf688d6c93116.spc	64.03 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:56 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 ead3210aad70aa054d53594c794ef5cb.spc	36.52 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:56 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 f104494ec9505a88f21eecf9104e7bd5.spc	43.49 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:57 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 f14af3dc82bb30bf0c3018917fa3a45a.spc	23.14 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:57 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 f2e6e96f252853f6483f6c9c725f0ee2.spc	78.09 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:57 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 f34923678798ad8b6c06d24190cb88cd.spc	329.67 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:59 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 f5306b0dbdad73410aada80dbc3392d4.spc	2.43 KB	02/11/2020 10:51:59 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 f74498a86970a084e5ca639447042aa3.spc	85.09 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:00 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 f7d657440800849c7fcaeb682984c7e6.spc	30.41 KB	03/24/2020 05:47:43 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 f9cf779dc17343f7a142ab34fefeb6eb.spc	428.03 KB	07/14/2020 10:43:54 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 fbc57cfd03bf1e4ef525660536f2fc4c.spc	18.92 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:01 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 fbe8c695ab40ed6d8e54c74cfd8720fe.spc	38.5 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:01 AM	rwxrwxrwx
📄 fcf7bfc598a8e90673a28eed5eb8247c.spc	67.72 KB	03/29/2020 11:29:51 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 fd653df8381ec085d867b89d482aed73.spc	63.39 KB	03/12/2020 06:21:26 AM	rw-r--r--
📄 fe2860db6cccfc29356a9613564f0ce6.spc	37.76 KB	02/11/2020 10:52:01 AM	rwxrwxrwx
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Editing: 7fb89d7009fbbd9a5c1c2dcac2e055af.spc

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";s:7:"attribs";a:2:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:7:"version";s:3:"2.0";}s:36:"http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace";a:1:{s:4:"base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:7:"channel";a:1:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:837:"
    
    
    
    
     
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:14:"Press Releases";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:0:"";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"language";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:2:"en";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"item";a:268:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:78:"USDA Study Finds Improved Feeding Practices Among Infants Participating in WIC";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2017/fns-000118";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4404:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0001.18</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-01-12T00:00:00-05:00">01/12/2017</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2017 - Breastfeeding rates increased sharply over the past 20 years among women participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), based on the findings of a new USDA study.</p>
<p>The Infant Year Report from USDA’s WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study 2 updates findings last collected in 1995. The new study found that 83 percent of mothers breast fed their babies, compared to 56 percent of mothers in the first USDA WIC Infant Feeding Practices Study.  </p>
<p>“The results of this ongoing study are very encouraging,” said Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. “Research has shown that breastfeeding provides a healthy nutritional foundation for infants to grow and thrive. And WIC plays an important role in fostering and supporting breastfeeding.”</p>
<p>In fact, more than 95 percent of study mothers who started breastfeeding reported that WIC played a role in their decision to breastfeed.  Nearly 60 percent of caregivers also turned to WIC for information on feeding their infant, second only to their doctor or other health professional.</p>
<p>“It’s clear that WIC is a valuable resource for women considering whether to breastfeed and an ongoing source of information to answer any questions that may arise,” Concannon said.</p>
<p>The Infant Year Report also describes a dramatic reduction in the number of infants being introduced to solid foods too early in life. The current study found that only 20 percent of caregivers introduced their infants to foods before 4 months of age, as compared to about 60 percent of caregivers 20 years ago. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends infants receive only breast milk for about the first six months of life, and that they continue to be breastfed until at least 12 months, with the introduction of nutrient-rich foods starting at about six months of age.</p>
<p>The WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study 2 is a nationally representative study of women and infants enrolled in WIC. Mothers participating in the study responded to periodic surveys, from a prenatal interview through their child’s fifth birthday. The results will form the basis for a series of reports. The first focused on prenatal nutrition and was released in 2015. This current report reflects survey responses covering the infant’s first year.<br /> <br />More information on the new study is available on the <a href="/wic/wic-infant-and-toddler-feeding-practices-study-2-infant-year-report">FNS website</a>.</p>
<p>WIC is one of 15 nutrition assistance programs administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service that also include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the National School Lunch Program and the Summer Food Service Program. Working together these programs are designed to comprise America’s nutrition safety net to ensure that no eligible American goes hungry.</p>
<p>##</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 12 Jan 2017 17:34:21 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"658621 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"lvarney";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:1;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:67:"USDA Announces Retailer Volunteers for SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2017/fns-000117";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5866:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0001.17</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-01-05T00:00:00-05:00">01/05/2017</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div>WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2017 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the seven retail firms selected to take part in a pilot designed to enable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase their groceries online. The two-year pilot is slated to begin this summer. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Online purchasing is a potential lifeline for SNAP participants living in urban neighborhoods and rural communities where access to healthy food choices can be limited," USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said. "We're looking forward to being able to bring the benefits of the online market to low-income Americans participating in SNAP." </div>
<div> </div>
<ul><li>Firms selected include: </li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">Retailers - Pilot States </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">Amazon - Maryland, New Jersey, New York </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">FreshDirect - New York </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">Safeway - Maryland, Oregon, Washington, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">ShopRite - Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">Hy-Vee, Inc. - Iowa </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">Hart's Local Grocers - New York (based in Rochester) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">Dash's Market - New York (based in Buffalo) </span></li>
</ul><div> </div>
<div>The firms selected represent a variety of store types, including national online retailers as well as large grocery chains and smaller, regional networks to appropriately test online SNAP purchasing in different settings. Pilots will take place in seven states in both rural and urban areas, marking the next critical step in bringing the online purchasing option to SNAP clients. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>While USDA has authorized SNAP online grocery ordering in a few locations, this pilot will test both online ordering and payment. Online payment presents technical and security challenges that will need to be examined and fully addressed before it is offered nationwide. As with the core program, SNAP participants will only be able to use their benefits to purchase eligible items online – not to pay for service or delivery charges. USDA is committed to maintaining the security of SNAP benefits for both the protection of SNAP participant accounts and to prevent and detect trafficking, so SNAP online purchases must have a higher level of security than most other online purchases. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As the pilot proceeds and USDA confirms the system is operating as required, we anticipate being able to add additional retailers. Eventually, our goal is for this to be a national option for SNAP participants, once the pilot phase is complete and USDA can incorporate lessons learned into program rules. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>USDA has taken many steps in the last several years to strengthen SNAP and increase access to healthy foods. Recently, USDA announced a <a href="/pressrelease/2016/fns-001116">purchase and delivery pilot</a>, which is designed for non-profits and government entities to improve access to groceries solely for homebound elderly and disabled SNAP participants. USDA also provided funding to <a href="/pressrelease/2016/022816">incentivize participants in SNAP to purchase more healthy fruits and vegetables</a> through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program, increased <a href="/pressrelease/2016/fns-001316">farmers market participation in SNAP</a> to improve access to fresh and nutritious food, and announced <a href="/pressrelease/2016/fns-001617">final changes to increase access to healthy food choices</a> for SNAP participants by requiring authorized retail establishments to offer a larger inventory and variety of healthy food options. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As the nation's first line of defense against hunger, SNAP helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month and has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 43 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, 10 percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings. </div>
<div> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">###</div>
<div><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)</em></div>
<div> </div>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 05 Jan 2017 17:30:18 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"655131 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:2;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:70:"USDA Boosts Healthy Food Access, Sets New Standards for SNAP Retailers";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001617";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6646:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Final Rule Balances Concerns Raised by Retailers While Still Improving Access to Healthy Food Choices for SNAP Participants</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0016.17</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-12-08T00:00:00-05:00">12/08/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div>WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced final changes to increase access to healthy food choices for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  The provisions in this rule require SNAP authorized retail establishments to offer a larger inventory and variety of healthy food options. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>“This final rule balances the need to improve the healthy staple foods available for purchase at participating stores, while maintaining food access for SNAP recipients in underserved rural and urban areas,” said Vilsack. “We received many helpful comments on the proposed rule and have modified the final rule in important ways to ensure that these dual goals are met.  I am confident that this rule will ensure the retailers that participate in SNAP offer a variety of healthy foods for purchase and that SNAP recipients will continue to have access to the stores they need to be able to purchase food.” </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The final rule provides long overdue updates to SNAP retailer eligibility criteria.  Previously, a retailer could be authorized to participate in the program with a minimum inventory of 12 items. Now, the number of required food items is expanded to a minimum of 84. These changes are in keeping with the primary purpose of the program. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>USDA extended the comment period for the proposed rule to ensure all interested parties had the opportunity to bring their voice to the final rule, and made significant changes to respond to those comments.  The final rule announced today incorporates feedback from over 1,200 comments received and ensures the new standards will balance commenters’ concerns. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In particular, in the final rule multiple ingredient foods will continue to count towards retailer eligibility.  In addition, the existing regulatory requirement that specifies the threshold of hot and cold prepared foods sold that makes a location an ineligible restaurant (rather than an eligible SNAP retailer) is far more flexible than in the proposed rule.  Now the requirement is nearly the same as the requirement that has been in place for some time with only a modest change to account for foods heated and consumed on site after purchase.   </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Changes to the definition of accessory foods ensure that stores are not able to participate in SNAP by selling primarily snack foods. At the same time, the definition of variety has been expanded to make it easier for stores to meet the new requirements mandated by the Agricultural Act of 2014, and the number of each variety of staple food items retailers must have in stock has been halved as compared to the proposed rule from six to three.  </div>
<div> </div>
<div>For more information about this final rule, please visit: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/enhancing-retailer-standards-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap">http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/enhancing-retailer-standards-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap</a>. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>USDA has taken many steps in the last several years to strengthen SNAP and increase access to healthy foods. Recently, USDA <a href="/pressrelease/2016/019716">sought retailer volunteers</a> for a two-year, nationwide pilot to enable SNAP participants to purchase their groceries online. USDA also provided funding to <a href="/pressrelease/2016/022816">incentivize participants in SNAP to purchase more healthy fruits and vegetables</a> through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program, increased <a href="/pressrelease/2016/fns-001316">farmers market participation in SNAP</a> to improve access to fresh and nutritious food, and announced a <a href="/pressrelease/2016/fns-001116">purchase and delivery pilot</a>, which is designed for non-profits and government entities to improve access to groceries solely for homebound elderly and disabled SNAP participants.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As the nation's first line of defense against hunger, SNAP helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month and is critical in the fight against hunger.  SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budgets of about 45 million low-income individuals.  Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, 10 percent are elderly and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings. SNAP plays an important role in reducing both poverty and food insecurity in the United States—especially among children. SNAP is an effective and efficient health intervention for low-income families with a positive impact on children beginning before birth and lasting beyond childhood years, improving health, education, and economic outcomes.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p align="center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)</em></p>
</div>
<div> </div>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 08 Dec 2016 18:53:00 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"651766 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:3;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"USDA Releases First-Ever Web-Based School Meals Application Prototype";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001616";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6964:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New Web Application Designed to Save Time, Money</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0016.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-11-30T00:00:00-05:00">11/30/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, November 30, 2016 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) introduced its first ever web-based school meals program application prototype to streamline the process of applying for school meals and improve the user experience. The prototype – which combines research-based best practices, feedback from application users, and innovative user-experience design solutions submitted via a USDA-administered public contest – is specifically designed to address common issues and minimize the potential for errors in the application process.</p>
<p>“After gathering extensive research and drawing upon a wide-variety of resources, USDA is excited to offer a web-based school meals application prototype that will improve the application experience for families and schools alike,” said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. “This project is just one of many recent efforts that demonstrate USDA’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the school meal programs.”</p>
<p>The web-based prototype is primarily intended to serve as a functional model representing best practices in web-based application design.  States and schools may also choose to adapt it for their own use, and USDA strongly encourages software vendors that serve the school market to incorporate the prototype’s integrity features into their own products.</p>
<p>Previously, USDA provided a paper application prototype that schools and states can choose to adopt or adapt to best serve their needs. However, research shows that web-based applications can help reduce error rates by providing prompts and feedback to the applicant throughout the process.  Therefore, as part of its commitment to enhancing integrity across all school meal programs, USDA developed a web-based application prototype as well.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, USDA hosted a public contest to solicit design concepts for an open source web-based school meal application prototype. Drawing on the innovative strategies submitted, USDA partnered with a talented team of private-sector technologists through the Presidential Innovation Fellows program to create an official web-based prototype application. The resulting streamlined prototype is now available on the FNS website (<a href="/school-meals/web-based-prototype-application-free-and-reduced-price-school-meals" target="_blank">http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/web-based-prototype-application-free-and-reduced-price-school-meals</a>). For more information on the web-based prototype application, register for a webinar (<a href="https://cc.readytalk.com/r/uj2cg9zr8lx9&amp;eom">https://cc.readytalk.com/r/uj2cg9zr8lx9&amp;eom</a>) hosted by USDA on Dec. 15, 2016.</p>
<p>In total, nearly 100,000 schools and institutions serve more than 30 million children through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and over 14 million children through the School Breakfast Program (SBP). Many children receive their meals at no cost or for a reduced price through income-based eligibility. These students rely on school meals as a vital part of their daily nutrition, allowing them to thrive in the classroom and beyond.</p>
<p>The new web-based prototype is just one of several major steps USDA has taken to reduce errors and enhance integrity. USDA recently overhauled its paper application prototype, working with the innovation Lab @ OPM to combine the best elements of applications already in use around the country with that latest research on human centered design. USDA also promotes the use of direct certification, a process which relies on existing sources of information to certify eligible children for free school meals without the need for a household application, thereby reducing the possibility of errors. Errors could lead to improper payments, which present a risk to children who are eligible for assistance.  This new prototype application leverages technology and makes it easier for all concerned.</p>
<p>The school meals programs – NSLP and SBP – are just two of the 15 nutrition assistance programs administered by FNS.  Others include, but are not limited to, the Child and Adult Care Food Program; the Summer Food Service Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. </p>
<p>USDA has worked to strengthen its core nutrition programs that support the nation’s vulnerable populations while, at the same time, putting in place strategies that improve the nutritional quality of the foods we provide. Since 2009, 7.9 million fewer people are struggling to provide enough food for themselves or household members and food insecurity for children is at the lowest level on record. USDA has led the effort to implement the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which ensures that more than 50 million children have a healthier food environment at school. Read more about USDA’s work to improve nutrition under this Administration at <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/growing-a-healthier-future-improving-nutrition-and-access-to-healthy-food-for-americans-d7120797c69e#.ttr4okj1i">Growing a Healthier Future: Improving Nutrition and Access to Healthy Food for Americans</a>.</p>
<p align="center">###</p>
<div style="margin-left: 40px;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></div>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 30 Nov 2016 15:24:48 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"651584 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:4;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:93:"USDA Seeks Applications for Next Round of Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program Grants ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/022816";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10773:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Up to $16.7 Million Available to Help Low-Income Families Purchase Healthy Produce</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0228.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-10-20T00:00:00-04:00">10/20/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of up to $16.7 million in competitive grant funding to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by families and households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The funding will be awarded to eligible nonprofits and governmental organizations through the <a href="https://nifa.usda.gov/program/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive</a> (FINI) Grant Program, administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">"Recent data shows that 2015 marked the lowest figures on record for food insecurity among children—a major achievement in our country's efforts to ensure every child has a safer, healthier future filled with unlimited opportunity. In addition, last year 7.9 million fewer people were struggling to provide adequate food for themselves or household members than when President Obama took office in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "We must continue to invest in initiatives like the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive, which are maximizing SNAP recipients' access to healthy foods and are playing a major role in winning this battle against hunger."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">FINI is a joint program between NIFA and </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" style="font-size: 13.008px;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">, which oversees SNAP and is responsible for evaluating the impact of the variety of types of incentive programs being deployed by </span><a href="https://nifa.usda.gov/program/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program" style="font-size: 13.008px;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">FINI grantees</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">. The program brings together stakeholders from different parts of the national food system to improve the nutrition and health status of SNAP households. Since 2015, NIFA has invested $48.3 million to support the work of 58 organizations in 33 states and the District of Columbia through FINI.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program" style="font-size: 13.008px;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Applications</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> may be submitted by </span><a href="https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/grant/FY%202014-2015%20FINI_final%2009%2029%202014.pdf" style="font-size: 13.008px;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">eligible</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> government agencies and nonprofit organizations in three categories: pilot projects requesting less than $100,000 over one year, multi-year community-based projects requesting less than $500,000 over no more than four years, and multi-year large-scale projects requesting $500,000 or more over no more than four years. All FINI projects must operate through authorized SNAP retailers and agree to participate in the FINI comprehensive program evaluation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">Priority is given for projects that</span></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants,</li>
<li>test innovative or promising strategies that will contribute to a better understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants,</li>
<li>develop innovative or improved benefit redemption systems that may be replicated or scaled,</li>
<li>demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs to connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers,</li>
<li>provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables, especially culturally-appropriate fruits and vegetables for the target households, and</li>
<li>work with underserved communities, particularly in <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=promisezones">Promise Zones</a> and <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE">StrikeForce</a> communities.</li>
</ul><p><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">Applications are due by Dec. 12, 2016. See the </span><a href="https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program" style="font-size: 13.008px;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">request for applications</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> for more details.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">NIFA will host a </span><a href="https://zoom.us/j/979123435" style="font-size: 13.008px;" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">free informational webinar</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> for interested applicants on Nov. 3, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., EDT. An archived version will be available on NIFA's </span><a href="https://nifa.usda.gov/program/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program" style="font-size: 13.008px;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">FINI webpage</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> following the webinar.</span></p>
<p>Two previously-funded projects include <a href="http://www.marketumbrella.org/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Market Umbrella</a> in New Orleans and <a href="http://www.heritageranchinc.org/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Heritage Ranch</a>, Inc., in Honaunau, Hawaii. Market Umbrella is increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income New Orleans residents through the initiation of SNAP incentive programs in a locally- and minority-owned grocery store (Circle Foods) and year-round expansion of incentives at four Crescent City Farmers Markets. Heritage Ranch is testing a new SNAP fresh food incentive project called Buy One Fresh/Get One Local, where each dollar a SNAP user spends on fresh fruit and vegetables is matched with coupons to purchase an equivalent value of local fresh fruits and vegetables from their grocer, grower at a farmers' market or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) food box.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">More information about USDA's efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans and supporting the health of our next generation can be found on USDA's Medium chapter, </span><a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/growing-a-healthier-future-improving-nutrition-and-access-to-healthy-food-for-americans-d7120797c69e#.2bykl2eyi" style="font-size: 13.008px;" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Growing a Healthier Future</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">. Additional information about USDA efforts to support local and regional food systems, including by increasing SNAP access at farmers markets, can be found in the </span><a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/" style="font-size: 13.008px;" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">New Markets, New Opportunities</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;"> Medium chapter.</span></p>
<p>SNAP—the nation's first line of defense against hunger - helps put food on the table for millions of families experiencing hardship. The program has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children and more than 42 percent of recipients live in households in which at least one adult is working but still cannot afford to put food on the table. SNAP benefits provided help to millions who lost their jobs during the Great Recession. For many, SNAP benefits provide temporary assistance, with the average new applicant remaining on the program 12 months.</p>
<p>Since 2009, NIFA has invested in and advanced innovative and transformative initiatives to solve societal challenges and ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA's integrated research, education and extension programs, supporting the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel, have resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that are combating childhood obesity, improving and sustaining rural economic growth, addressing water availability issues, increasing food production, finding new sources of energy, mitigating climate variability and ensuring food safety.</p>
<p>To learn more about NIFA's impact on agricultural science, visit <a href="http://www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts</a>, sign up for <a href="http://bit.ly/NIFAsubscribe" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">email updates</a>, or follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/usda_nifa" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">@usda_NIFA</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NIFAimpacts?src=hash" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">#NIFAimpacts</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">#</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 20 Oct 2016 17:15:41 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"650645 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:5;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:83:"USDA Celebrates Progress during National School Lunch Week and Farm to School Month";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:50:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/0219-16";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8754:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0219-16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications press@oc.usda.gov (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-10-11T00:00:00-04:00">10/11/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2016 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) joins youth, parents, schools, communities, and partners across the country in honoring National School Lunch Week 2016, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/10/08/presidential-proclamation-national-school-lunch-week-2016" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">as proclaimed by President Obama</a>, a time to reflect on the positive steps our nation has taken to make nutrition a priority in every U.S. school. This also coincides with the month-long celebration of Farm to School Month, which recognizes efforts to bring local foods into schools and onto students' trays.</p>
<p>"This is a time to reflect on the important role of the National School Lunch Program and Farm to School initiatives in improving the health of children across the country, as well as creating new opportunities for farmers and ranchers to provide schools with fresh, nutritious food," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "USDA recognizes the dedicated school nutrition professionals who are committed to creating a healthy environment for all children, teaching them the importance of good nutrition, and helping them form the healthy habits they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond. We also celebrate the success of farm to school initiatives, which support local economies and are truly a win-win for America's schools, farmers, producers, communities, and children. We will continue to work tirelessly until consistent access to nutritious food is a reality for every child in America."</p>
<p>The more than 50 million children who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs are experiencing school environments that are healthier than ever. These students have access to balanced meals that reflect the latest nutrition science in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as well as recommendations from pediatricians and National Academy of Medicine. The meals feature more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat milk. Many of these items can be locally-sourced through farm to school programs.</p>
<p>The fresh, local foods offered through farm to school programs help school meal programs provide healthy, appealing, and diverse offerings. Results of the <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">2015 USDA Farm to School Census</a> show that more than 42,000 schools nationwide have a farm to school program. These schools report reductions in food waste, higher school meal participation rates, and increased willingness of the students to try new foods, notably fruits and vegetables. In the 2013-14 school year alone, these programs invested nearly $800 million back into local economies, helping 23.6 million students develop healthy eating habits and learn where their food comes from.</p>
<p>Building on the progress around the country, this summer, USDA issued two additional final rules: Smart Snacks in Schools and Local School Wellness Policy. For the last few years, schools have been serving breakfasts and lunches that meet the updated standards under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010; in fact, more than 99 percent of schools nationwide currently report meeting those new nutrition standards. The recent regulations put in place by the Smart Snacks in Schools Final Rule and Local School Wellness Policy Final Rule take healthy school environments one step further by holding snacks served in schools and food or beverage marketing students are exposed to during the school day to standards that are consistent with those for school meals.</p>
<p>Healthy school meals are particularly important for the more than 13 million U.S. children who live in food insecure households; for some, school meals may be all nutrition they receive in a day. To help reduce hunger, USDA's Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), an optional cost-sharing partnership between the federal government and school districts in high-poverty areas, allows eligible schools in lower income areas to serve nutritious lunches and breakfasts to all students at no cost. Not only does CEP help break down barriers that can prevent children in need from accessing school meals, it also greatly reduces the administrative burden on schools and families. Close to 8.5 million students from more than 18,000 schools across the country participated in the program in school year 2015-16.</p>
<p>USDA provides a number of resources to schools to help support continued progress. For example, USDA's Team Up for School Nutrition Success initiative offers mentor-based training and action planning for school food service professionals. In addition, USDA provides grants to support healthy school environments. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently awarded $6.7 million in grants through the <a href="/tn/team-nutrition-training-grants" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Team Nutrition Training Grants</a> to expand and enhance training for school nutrition and child care professionals. They are also currently accepting applications for up to $5 million in <a href="/fy17-farm-school-grant" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School Grants</a>.</p>
<p>Farm to School Grants and support for local food in schools are part of USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=kyf-kyf">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food</a> (KYF2) Initiative, which coordinates the Department's work to develop strong local and regional food systems. Over the course of the Obama Administration, USDA has invested close to $1 billion in 40,000 local food-related projects on farms and in communities across the country. You can find local and regional supply chain resources on the newly-revamped <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">KYF2 website</a> and use the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=kyf-compass-map">KYF2 Compass</a> to locate USDA investments in your community.</p>
<p>To learn more about the latest accomplishments of USDA's nutrition assistance programs, see the new infographic, <a href="/sites/default/files/cn/usda-nutrition-assistance-programs-infographic.pdf" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">The Impact and Legacy of USDA Nutrition Programs from 2009 to 2016</a>. An extended narrative by Secretary Vilsack on the progress in fighting hunger and improving the health of America's children over the last eight years can be found on <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/growing-a-healthier-future-improving-nutrition-and-access-to-healthy-food-for-americans-d7120797c69e#.iwpemanzr" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">USDA's Medium</a> page.</p>
<p>FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the National School Lunch Program, this includes the School Breakfast Program; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); the Summer Food Service Program, and others. Together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Oct 2016 14:07:34 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"650464 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:6;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:76:"USDA Awards $2 Million in Grants to Support WIC Participation through Age 5 ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001516";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5959:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0015.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-09-19T00:00:00-04:00">09/19/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, September 19, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service today awards nearly $2 million in funding to six states and territories to help improve retention of children in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).  These funds will enable WIC state agencies to better fulfill their  crucial role in ensuring young children up to age five have a foundation for nutritional success.</p>
<p>“WIC has proven to be effective at building a stronger, healthier America by providing nutrition assistance to mothers and their young children and promoting healthy eating choices,” said USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. “Despite that, we are seeing a decline in WIC participation among children over the age of one, meaning the potential benefits the program offers are not being fully leveraged.  These grants will help maximize the impact of the WIC program by supporting states’ efforts to retain participants through the toddler and preschooler years.”</p>
<p>The funds are competitively awarded through the annual WIC Special Project Grants.  This year’s grants are intended to help WIC State agencies develop, implement, and evaluate new or innovative methods of service delivery to meet the changing needs of WIC participants from birth to age 5. Based on 2012 National and state level estimates, only just over half of all eligible children ages 1-4 participate in WIC, as compared to 85 percent of eligible infants.  As young children are vulnerable to a wide of variety of nutrition-related problems that can impair their development and growth, continued participation beyond age one is both recommended and vital.</p>
<p>Two types of grants were awarded: full grants and mini-grants.</p>
<p>Full grants are up to $500,000, have a 3-year duration period and require an evaluation component that usually includes a partnership with a university or research entity.  The 2016 full grants are awarded to:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Georgia - $430,124 for development of a partnership with Head Start and Early Head Start within three targeted Health Districts--Columbus, Gainesville and Macon,</li>
<li>Mississippi - $407,009 for development of a partnership with Head Start facilities throughout the state,</li>
<li>Pennsylvania - $500,000 for a multi-tiered intervention focusing on staff training and messaging to increase retention, and</li>
<li>Virginia - $460,350 for a mobile WIC clinic to improve access to services in areas of high need. </li>
</ul><p><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">Mini grants are up to $100,000, have an 18-month duration period and a less robust evaluation component.  The 2016 mini-grants are awarded to:</span></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>South Carolina – $100,000 to purchase a mobile WIC clinic to service five Promise Zone counties (Allendale, Bamberg, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper) and</li>
<li>Puerto Rico – $100,000 to test the use of technology to combine access to participant-centered nutrition education and the optional mailing of WIC vouchers to participants, which are used to obtain supplemental foods.</li>
</ul><p>The results developed from the Special Project Grants are made available to all WIC state agencies in order to share promising practices that could strengthen nutrition services delivery and increase child retention.</p>
<p>For more than 40 years, WIC has provided nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to other health and social services. The program serves low income pregnant women, breastfeeding and postpartum mothers, infants, and young children up to the age of five who are found to be nutritionally at risk.  More information about the WIC program can be found at the <a href="/wic" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a> website.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs.  In addition to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program, and others, which together comprise America's nutrition safety net.  For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p align="center"><em style="font-size: 13.008px;">USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 19 Sep 2016 14:57:01 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"648458 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:7;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:63:"USDA Seeks Retailer Volunteers for SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/019716";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6643:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0197.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications 202-720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-09-15T00:00:00-04:00">09/15/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking retailer volunteers for a two-year, nationwide pilot to enable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase their groceries online. The 2014 Farm Bill mandated a pilot be conducted to test the possibility of allowing retail food stores to accept SNAP benefits through online transactions. Up to five retailers in three states will be selected for this pilot and, once selected, the pilot is slated to begin next summer after the EBT processor completes system development work to allow for online transactions.</p>
<p>"Online purchasing shows great promise to improve access to healthy food for SNAP participants living in neighborhoods and rural or tribal areas without grocery stores," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Online purchasing will also help those who are unable to access a grocery store due to a disability or lack of transportation."</p>
<p>Since the passage of the Farm Bill, USDA has been working to lay the groundwork to put together the complex technical infrastructure required for this pilot. Online payment presents <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2016/08/02/healthful-foods-could-be-just-a-click-away-fns-works-to-bring-online-shopping-to-snap-purchases/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">technical and security issues</a> that will be tested in this controlled, limited way prior to nationwide expansion. USDA is committed to maintaining the security of SNAP benefits for both the protection of SNAP participant accounts and to prevent and detect trafficking, so SNAP online purchases must have a higher level of security than most other online purchases.</p>
<p>"Ensuring the security of SNAP's taxpayer-funded benefits is paramount as we look toward expanding access through the online marketplace. We will continue to work closely with our state and EBT processing partners on this pilot so that we can bring this option to SNAP households in an efficient and secure manner," Vilsack said.</p>
<p>For households to make online purchases, the pilot requires retailer volunteers to provide service that is secure, private, and easy to use. As with all SNAP purchases, customers participating in the online pilot will only be able to use their SNAP benefits for eligible food purchases – not to cover any related charges, such as delivery or service fees. Retailers interested in participating should consult the online purchasing pilot <a href="/snap/online-purchasing-pilot" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Request for Volunteers Application Package</a> available for download from the <a href="/snap/online-purchasing-pilot" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">FNS public website</a>.</p>
<p>USDA has taken many steps in the last several years to strengthen SNAP and increase access to healthy foods. Recently FNS announced <a href="/pressrelease/2016/fns-001116" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">a purchase and delivery pilot</a>, which is designed for non-profits and government entities to improve access to groceries solely for homebound elderly and disabled SNAP participants. USDA also provided funding to <a href="/pressrelease/2016/014316" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">incentivize participants in SNAP to purchase more healthy fruits and vegetables</a> through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program, increased <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001316" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">farmers market participation in SNAP</a> to improve access to fresh and nutritious food, and proposed updated SNAP retailer standards to include different varieties of healthy qualifying foods.</p>
<p>As the nation's first line of defense against hunger, SNAP helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month and is critical in the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budgets of 44 million low-income individuals. SNAP plays an important role in reducing both poverty and food insecurity in the United States—especially among children. SNAP is an effective and efficient health intervention for low-income families with a positive impact on children beginning before birth and lasting beyond childhood years, improving health, education, and economic outcomes.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to <a href="/snap" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">SNAP</a>, these programs include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="/wic" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay) </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:53:59 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"647961 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:8;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:101:"USDA Announces Availability of $5 Million in Farm to School Grants to Increase Local Foods in Schools";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001416";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6469:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0014.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-09-13T00:00:00-04:00">09/13/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, D.C. Sept. 13, 2016 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that up to $5 million in grant funds is available to help schools create or strengthen farm to school programs this school year. Administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, these annual, competitive grants will help further USDA efforts to increase locally sourced foods in America’s school meals. </p>
<p>“Bringing the bounty of America’s farms into schools and onto breakfast and lunch trays is one of the best ways we can ensure students are receiving nutritious and delicious meals at school,” said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services.  “Supporting these programs through the annual Farm to School Grants is a win-win for America’s schools, farmers, producers, communities, and children.”</p>
<p>Farm to school programs help form healthy habits and support local economies.  The local foods offered through farm to school programs help school meal programs fulfill the updated school nutrition standards with appealing and diverse offerings.  According to the 2015 <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/">USDA Farm to School Census</a>, schools with robust farm to school programs report reductions in food waste, higher school meal participation rates, and increased willingness of the students to try new foods, notably fruits and vegetables.  In addition, in school year 2013-2014 alone, schools purchased more than $789 million in local food from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers. </p>
<p>USDA’s Farm to School Grants make these outcomes possible by funding school districts, state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations,  agricultural producers, and non-profit organizations in their efforts to increase local foods served through child nutrition programs, teach children about food and agriculture through garden and classroom education, and develop schools’ and farmers’ capacities to participate in farm to school. The funds may be used for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs.</p>
<p>The Farm to School Grant Program was authorized in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. To date, USDA has funded 300 projects in all 50 states, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Since its inception in FY2013, more than $20 million has been awarded through the Farm to School Grant Program. This year, awards ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 will be distributed in four different grant categories: Planning, Implementation, Support Service, and Training.  Applications are due on grants.gov by December 8, 2016.  On Thursday, September 29, at 1:00 p.m. EST, USDA will host a webinar to review the RFA and assist eligible entities in preparing proposals. Visit the <a href="/farmtoschool/farm-school-grant-program">grants homepage</a> for more information and to register for the webinar.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Supporting farm to school programs is part of the USDA’s <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=kyf-kyf">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food</a> (KYF2) Initiative, which coordinates the Department's work to develop strong local and regional food systems.  Over the course of the Obama Administration, USDA has invested close to $1 billion in 40,000 local food-related projects on farms and in communities across the country.  You can find local and regional supply chain resources on the newly-revamped <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">KYF2 website</a> and use the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=kyf-compass-map">KYF2 Compass</a> to locate USDA investments in your community.  More information on how USDA investments are connecting producers with consumers, expanding rural economic opportunities, and increasing access to healthy food is available <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">in Chapter IV of USDA Results on Medium</a>.</p>
<p>For more information on how to apply for FY 2017 funding, visit the <a href="/grant-opportunities/farm-to-school">grant opportunities page</a>.  For lists of previously funded projects and summary reports of awards made in FY 2013-2016, visit the<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/grant-awards"> grant awards page</a>.  A full list of this year’s grantees will be posted online once the selection is announced in spring 2017.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and the Summer Food Service Program. Together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center"># # #</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 13 Sep 2016 13:04:16 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"647537 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:9;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:93:"USDA Awards Grants to Boost Access to Farmers Market, Nutritious Foods for SNAP Participants ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001316";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7009:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0013.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-09-09T00:00:00-04:00">09/09/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced more than $500,000 in grants to academic and nonprofit organizations who will work to make farmers markets and farm stands more accessible to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. Farmers markets offer fresh fruits and vegetables to SNAP participants and support local rural economies. Since 2008, the number of SNAP-authorized farmers markets and direct marketing farmers has grown dramatically, to more than 7,000 – over nine times the number that were around at the start of this Administration. In Fiscal Year 2015 alone, SNAP redemptions accounted for over $19 million at farmers markets.</p>
<p>“Farmers markets and direct marketing farmers play a vital role in ensuring that all Americans have access to fresh farm produce that is so important to a healthy diet,” said Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumers Services.  “They are a key part of our efforts to improve the diet and health of those participating in the nation’s nutrition assistance programs. They also help support local and regional food systems.”</p>
<p>In a recent USDA study, almost 80 percent of farmers market shoppers mentioned access to high-quality fruits and vegetables as the reason for shopping at a farmers market. The grants announced today will support broad SNAP-related activities and costs, including staff training and technical assistance, creating educational materials, and raising awareness among current SNAP participants that their benefits may be used to purchase fresh local foods. The awardees are:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li><strong>University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center</strong> (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) -- $248,443<br />The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center will work with five farmers markets in the Oklahoma City area on a social media and mass transit campaign directed towards current SNAP participants in order to increase SNAP redemptions at farmers markets.</li>
<li><strong>Upper Ocmulgee River RC&amp;D Council, Inc. </strong>(Lawrenceville, Georgia) -- $241,571<br />The Upper Ocmulgee River RC&amp;D Council will train up to 40 farmers markets staffs throughout Georgia on how to best operate the SNAP program and provide solutions to common barriers of SNAP at farmers markets, such as transportation and price.</li>
<li><strong>Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden</strong> (New Bern, North Carolina) -- $42,000<br />This grant will provide educational training in SNAP policies and procedures which aims to assist about 50 veteran farmers and to increase the effectiveness of veteran farmers’ participation in SNAP.</li>
</ul><p>Today’s grants are the latest step in USDA’s continuing efforts to expand access to farmers markets and farm stands for SNAP participants. In 2015, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service awarded $8.15 million in competitive funds through the Farmers Market Support Grants program to support SNAP operations at farmers markets. For more information about SNAP and farmers markets please visit, <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/ebt/snap-and-farmers-markets">http://www.fns.usda.gov/ebt/snap-and-farmers-markets</a>.  </p>
<p>The Farmers Market Support Grants is only one of many changes made in the last several years to strengthen SNAP and increase access to healthy foods for participants. USDA has provided funding to <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/014316">incentivize participants in SNAP to purchase more healthy fruits and vegetables</a> through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program, started a pilot that allows <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001116">food purchasing and delivery services</a> to accept SNAP benefits as payment for homebound elderly and disabled participants, and proposed updated SNAP retailer standards to include different varieties of healthy qualifying foods.</p>
<p>Supporting farmers markets is a part of the USDA’s <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=kyf-kyf">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food</a> (KYF2) Initiative, which coordinates the department's work to develop strong local and regional food systems.  Over the course of the Obama Administration, USDA has invested close to $1 billion in 40,000 local food-related projects on farms and in communities across the country.  You can find local and regional supply chain resources on the newly-revamped <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">KYF2 website</a> and use the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=kyf-compass-map">KYF2 Compass</a> to locate USDA investments in your community.  More information on how USDA investments are connecting producers with consumers, expanding rural economic opportunities, and increasing access to healthy food is available <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">in Chapter IV of USDA Results on Medium</a>.</p>
<p>FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, these programs include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, the National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</span></em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 09 Sep 2016 16:09:52 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"647171 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:10;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:126:"Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Significant Decrease in Household Food Insecurity in the United States";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/018916";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3139:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0189.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-09-07T00:00:00-04:00">09/07/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement on the release of the USDA Economic Research Service analysis, <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/err215/err-215.pdf" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Household Food Security in the United States in 2015</a>, which points to the lowest figures on record for food insecurity among children:</p>
<p>"Today's report marks a significant benchmark in our battle against hunger and food insecurity, underscoring in clear terms that our nation's families and children are better off today than they were when the President took office in 2009. In fact, today's report points to the lowest figures on record for food insecurity among children--a major achievement in our country's efforts to ensure every child has a safer, healthier future filled with unlimited opportunity. In 2015, household food insecurity fell 1.3 percentage points from 2014 and 2.2 points from 2011--the peak of the recession.</p>
<p>"At the same time, very low food security has dropped to 5 percent from a peak of 5.7 percent. Today's data mean that 7.9 million fewer people were struggling to provide adequate food for themselves or household members than when President Obama took office in the midst of the worst economic downtown since the Great Depression. The figures released today also remind us that our work to fight for access to healthy food for our nation's most vulnerable families and individuals is far from over.</p>
<p>"We must work to preserve the critical Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which prevented millions of Americans from falling into poverty or becoming food insecure during the most difficult stretches of the recession. And we must continue to encourage the public and private sectors alike to invest in our rebounding rural communities--the place that produces our food, fiber and fuel. As our economy continues to gain strength with millions of new jobs, falling unemployment and growing wages, today's report just underscores that America is greatest when everyone gets a fair shot."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 07 Sep 2016 15:54:05 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"646729 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:11;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:99:"USDA Announces $6.7 million in Grants for Child Care &amp; Schools during the Back to School Season";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001216";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10877:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0012.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-09-06T00:00:00-04:00">09/06/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service today awarded $6.7 million in grants during the back to school season to expand and enhance training for school nutrition and child care professionals working to support healthy environments for our nation’s youth.  Fourteen state agencies were given awards – eight working toward improving school nutrition through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) and six focusing on nutrition at facilities participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).</p>
<p>“I can think of no better way to celebrate students going back to school than to ensure the health and wellbeing of our children through the Child Nutrition Programs,” said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services.  “USDA is committed to supporting the school nutrition and child care professionals who continually raise the bar by providing children with nutritious, tasteful meals and creating an all-around healthy environment for them to learn and grow.”</p>
<p>The training grants are awarded as part of USDA's <a href="/tn/team-nutrition" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Team Nutrition</a> initiative, which provides resources, training, and nutrition education resources for the child nutrition programs. Since its inception over 20 years ago, Team Nutrition has provided approximately $97 million in grant funds to state agencies that administer USDA Child Nutrition Programs. The 14 states receiving grants include:</p>
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:400px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">State</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Award</strong></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Arkansas</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$483,422</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Colorado</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;"> $499,707</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Idaho</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$497,497</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Indiana</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$372,522</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Iowa</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$498,255</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Kansas</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$496,623</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Maryland</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$499,821</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Michigan</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$498,291</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Missouri</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$496,500</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Montana</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$482,669</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Nebraska</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$478,963</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Nevada</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$415,188</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">South Dakota</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$492,146</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px;">Wisconsin</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$497,977</span></td>
</tr><tr><td><strong style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">Total:</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12.0064px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: -webkit-right;">$6,709,581</span></td>
</tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">This year, a portion of these grants included a focus on training providers participating in CACFP, which serves more than 4 million children and adults nutritious meals and snacks each day through child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes.  Earlier this year, USDA issued a </span><a href="/pressrelease/2016/fns-000616" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">final rule</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> updating the CACFP meal patterns to better reflect the recommendations of the </span><a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines-americans" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"><em>2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans</em></a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> and foster healthy habits early.</span></p>
<p>These grants are just one of many ways USDA is supporting healthy school environments during the back to school season.  USDA created a <a href="/tn/team-nutrition-back-school-resources">Back to School Toolkit</a> to help schools share information with parents and families about the importance of nutrition and physical activity for children’s learning, growth, and health.  Other recent improvements to child nutrition programs include:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Improving the nutritional quality of food served in schools to reflect recommendations from the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans;</li>
<li>Announcing <a href="/pressrelease/2016/017216">four final rules</a> that implement important provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act building on the progress schools across the country have made;</li>
<li>The <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/">rapid growth of farm to school efforts</a> to more than 42,000 participating schools;</li>
<li>Improvement of direct certification efforts with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to increase the number of eligible children enrolled in school meal programs;</li>
<li>Implementation of <a href="/pressrelease/fns-0002-15" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">national professional standards</a> for all school nutrition employees who manage and operate the school meal programs;</li>
<li>Expansion of the <a href="/cacfp/afterschool-programs" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">At Risk After School Meals Program</a> to all states; and</li>
<li>Implementing <a href="/pressrelease/2016/fns-000216" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">mentor-based training for school nutrition professionals</a> through the <em>Team Up for School Nutrition Success</em> initiative.</li>
</ul><p>To learn more about the accomplishments of USDA’s nutrition assistance programs over the last eight years, see the new infographic, <a href="/sites/default/files/cn/usda-nutrition-assistance-programs-infographic.pdf"><em>The Impact and Legacy of USDA Nutrition Programs from 2009 to 2016</em></a>. For more information about this year’s Team Nutrition Training Grant awardees as well as summaries of activities conducted by previous grantees, visit the <a href="/tn/team-nutrition-training-grants" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Team Nutrition Training Grants Web site</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the NSLP, SBP, and CACFP these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="/wic">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, and the <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> among others, which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 06 Sep 2016 13:58:47 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"646709 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:12;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:115:"USDA Announces Selected Organizations to Better Connect Low-Income Elderly and Disabled Americans with Healthy Food";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001116";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6460:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0011.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-08-31T00:00:00-04:00">08/31/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the organizations selected to participate in a nationwide pilot designed to improve access to groceries for homebound elderly and disabled persons participating in the <a href="/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP). Nearly one in five SNAP participants is either elderly or disabled and therefore may face unique obstacles to obtaining healthy food at the grocery store.</p>
<p>“Home delivery of groceries will help ensure that elderly and disabled SNAP participants who are unable to shop for food have access to the nutrition they need to maintain a healthy diet,” said Kevin Concannon, Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. “Home delivery is particularly important for seniors living in rural areas because America's rural population is older than the nation overall and rural seniors experience higher poverty than others.”</p>
<p>This pilot will help shape the upcoming final regulations first <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/07/0201.xml&amp;navid=NEWS_RELEASE&amp;navtype=RT&amp;parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&amp;edeployment_action=retrievecontent">proposed in 2015</a> that for the first time will permit governmental and non-profit food purchasing and delivery services to accept SNAP benefits as payment, thus increasing the opportunities for home delivery to those unable to shop for food. The organizations selected are:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Denver Food Rescue (Denver, CO)</li>
<li>Lutheran Social Services of Nevada (Las Vegas, NV)</li>
<li>Many Infinities, Inc. (Alabaster, AL)</li>
<li>Senior Services of Alexandria (Alexandria, VA)</li>
<li>Store to Door (Roseville, MN)</li>
</ul><p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Here is more information about the </span><a href="/snap/application-extension-request-volunteers-food-purchasing-and-delivery-services" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">pilot</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> and the </span><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/07/15/2015-17354/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-implementation-of-the-agricultural-act-of-2014-purchasing" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">proposed rule</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Concannon stressed that the home delivery pilot is separate and unrelated to USDA’s ongoing efforts to explore the feasibility of SNAP online purchasing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Though both purchasing and delivery services and online shopping may help increase access to food for SNAP participants, this pilot for home delivery is devoted to better serving homebound participants, a particularly vulnerable subset of the SNAP population,” he said. “However, we recognize that online purchasing shows great promise for the program and expect to issue a request for volunteer retailers who are interested in participating in the online purchasing pilot in the near future.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">The home delivery pilot is only one of many changes made in the last several years to strengthen SNAP and increase access to healthful foods for participants. USDA has provided funding to </span><a href="/pressrelease/2016/014316" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">incentivize participants in SNAP to purchase more healthy fruits and vegetables</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program, increased farmers’ market participation in SNAP to improve access to fresh and nutritious food, and proposed updated SNAP retailer standards to include different varieties of healthy qualifying foods.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">As the nation's first line of defense against hunger, SNAP helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month and has never been more critical to the fight against hunger and food insecurity. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 43 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, 10 percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings, where at least one adult is actively in the workforce. For more information visit: </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">##</span></p>
<p align="center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 31 Aug 2016 17:23:35 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"646646 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:13;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:57:"USDA Awards Grants to Improve SNAP Processing, Technology";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:50:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/0174-16";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3948:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0174-16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-08-25T00:00:00-04:00">08/25/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div>WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) today awarded $5 million in grants to state agencies and community-based organizations to improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and implement modernization initiatives. Organizations from seven states were selected for these competitive grants, including Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, California, and Washington. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>“SNAP is a vital program that helps millions of households put food on the table,” said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services. “The forward-looking projects funded by grants announced today will help make applying for benefits and determining who is eligible more efficient.” </div>
<div> </div>
<div>USDA sought grant proposals for projects designed to improve the quality and efficiency of SNAP operations and processes with a focus on initiatives that use new technologies or will examine office procedures to improve application processing timeliness for initial or recertification applications. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Awardees and grant amounts are:</div>
<div>
<ul><li>Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (Del.) – $667,618</li>
<li>Florida Department of Children and Families (Fla.) – $447,282</li>
<li>Info Line of San Diego 2-1-1 (Calif.) – $100,000</li>
<li>Maryland Department of Human Resources (Md.) – $723,065</li>
<li>Missouri Department of Social Services (Mo.) – $955,035</li>
<li>Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (Neb.) – $607,000</li>
<li>Washington Department of Social and Health Services (Wash.) – $1,500,000</li>
</ul></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">For more information about these projects, please visit </span><a href="/snap/snap-process-and-technology-improvement-grants" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-process-and-technology-improvement-grants</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>SNAP administering agencies in the 50 states, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, and their community-based and faith-based partners were eligible to compete for the grants, which are funded for a three year period.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="/snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include <a href="/wic">Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="/cnd/lunch/">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a>. </div>
<div> </div>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 25 Aug 2016 18:19:07 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"646395 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:14;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:158:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Substance Misuse Prevention Resources for Low Income Pregnant Women and Mothers In Order to Battle the Opioid Epidemic";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/017316";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6002:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0173.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications press@oc.usda.gov (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-07-22T00:00:00-04:00">07/22/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Columbia, Missouri, July 22, 2016 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged all State Health Officers to use the resources and opportunities provided through their Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) agencies in their substance misuse prevention efforts. Vilsack made this announcement at a town hall in Missouri to discuss the opioid epidemic, which accounted for more than 28,000 deaths nationwide in 2014.</p>
<p>From 1993 to the 2013, opioid use has increased by 400 percent, exceeding 250 million prescriptions per year. Substance misuse may particularly impact the WIC population because the use of opioids can result in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), a withdrawal disorder some babies experience after exposure to drugs while in utero. There was been a five-fold increase in NAS from 2000 to 2012. Research has shown that newborns with NAS are more likely to have low birthweight and respiratory problems. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a baby is born suffering from opioid withdrawal every 25 minutes, leading to an average hospital stay of 16.9 days versus 2.1 days for a non-NAS child and to $1.5 billion in additional hospital costs.</p>
<p>"Because of the devastating toll that opioid misuse has taken on our communities, and particularly rural areas, I have tasked USDA with creatively using all of the resources at our disposal to stem the tide of this epidemic," said Secretary Vilsack. "For many women, WIC is their first point of entry into the health care system, and we have an opportunity to intercept and potentially prevent dangerous health outcomes for both the mother and the child. But just using our existing resources won't be enough to help the women and families who are already struggling. Congress recently missed an opportunity to pass new funding for addiction treatment and I am urging legislators to return to Washington to pass the President's budget request of $1.1 billion to help those who are struggling."</p>
<p>WIC plays an important role in providing mothers and young children with access to nutritious food, while also serving as a useful conduit to other health resources. As an adjunct to healthcare, the WIC Program is uniquely positioned to help pregnant women and mothers who may be struggling with addiction to access the help they need.</p>
<p>To assist WIC agencies in their substance misuse prevention and referral efforts, USDA released guidance in 2014 designed to help WIC agency staff integrate information on alcohol, drug and other harmful substance use and referrals to other treatment resources into their clinic activities. The recent guides, <a href="https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/topics-z/substance-abuse-guide" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Substance Use Prevention: Screening, Education, and Referral Resource Guide for Local WIC Agencies</a> and <a href="https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/BabyHealthStartEnglishWeb.pdf" id="anch_127" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Give Your Baby a Healthy Start, the Dangers of Smoking, Drinking and Taking Drugs</a> include a variety of educational materials and resources for WIC participants as well as training materials for WIC staff.</p>
<p>The approximately 1,900 local WIC agencies and 10,000 WIC clinic sites nationwide can play a major role in increasing participants' awareness of the dangers of substance misuse during pregnancy and while breastfeeding since they are required to provide participating women with this information. About 85 percent of income-eligible infants participate in WIC in their first year of life, totaling approximately half of all infants born in the U.S. WIC local agencies are also required to coordinate with local alcohol and treatment services to maintain and make available a list of local resources for addiction counseling and treatment.</p>
<p>WIC is one of FNS' 15 nutrition assistance programs, which also include the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a>, and <a href="/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap" id="anch_130" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>. Together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992(English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 22 Jul 2016 18:23:16 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"644379 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:15;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:71:"USDA Announces Additional Efforts to Make School Environments Healthier";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/017216";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11378:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Local School Wellness Policy and Smart Snacks among Four Regulations Ensuring Access to Healthy Food, Consistent Nutrition Standards for Foods Marketed and Served to Students, and Greater Program Integrity</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0172.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications press@oc.usda.gov (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-07-21T00:00:00-04:00">07/21/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 21, 2016 – Today, the Obama Administration is announcing <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/federal-register-documents" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">four final rules</a> that implement important provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) building on the progress schools across the country have already made in the improved nutritional quality of meals served in schools. As a key component of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to raise a healthier generation, the rules will ensure that children have access to healthy snacks and that nutrition standards for the foods marketed and served in schools are consistent. The rules will also promote integrity across the school meals programs.</p>
<p>"I am thrilled with the progress we continue to make in building healthier learning environments for our kids with science-based nutrition standards for all food sold and marketed in schools. As a mom, I know how hard parents work to provide nutritious meals and snacks to their kids, and we want to make sure we support those efforts with healthy choices at school," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "I am inspired by the tremendous work that's being done in schools across the country to provide our kids healthy food to fuel them throughout the day so that they can grow up healthy and fulfill their boundless promise."</p>
<p>"Children's ability to learn in the classroom and reach their fullest potential depends on what we do right now to ensure their health," stated Secretary Vilsack. "The actions we are announcing today continue the Administration's unprecedented commitment to building a healthier next generation and institutionalize the positive changes schools across the country have already made."</p>
<p>The <b>Smart Snacks in School final rule</b> aligns the nutritional quality of snacks sold to children during the school day with the science-based improvements made to school lunches and breakfasts over the last five years. These include using practical, science-based nutrition standards that ensure children are offered more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. States have the flexibility to allow limited exemptions to school-sponsored fundraisers during the school day. The Smart Snacks standards were <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/013413" id="anch_127" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">implemented in the 2014 – 2015 school year in accordance with the interim final rule</a>. This final rule makes modest improvements to those standards based on public comments and lessons learned from implementation.</p>
<p>The <b>Local School Wellness Policy final rule</b> ensures that any food or beverage that is marketed on school campuses during the school day meets the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-focusing-smart-snacks" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Smart Snacks standards</a>. According to <a href="http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1812294" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation</a>, 70 percent of elementary and middle school students are exposed to some kind of food/beverage marketing through school. Many of the foods and beverages that are heavily marketed to children contribute to poor diet quality, high calorie intake, and excess weight gain. However, the majority of schools do not have policies restricting food and beverage marketing to children. This rule makes sure foods offered and marketed to students during the school day have consistent nutrition standards.</p>
<p>The Local School Wellness Policy final rule also empowers communities to take an active role in the health of their children. It requires schools to engage parents, students and community members in the annual development and assessment of local school wellness policies. These policies guide a school district's efforts to establish school environments that support healthy eating and physical activity. States and local communities will have flexibility in developing a policy that works best for them.</p>
<p>Also posted today were the <b>Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) final rule</b> and the <b>Administrative Review final rule</b>. Under HHFKA, CEP allows schools and local educational agencies with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students to promote access to healthy food and reduce administrative burdens on schools and families. The final rule streamlines administrative processes, making it easier to participate in the meal programs. More than 18,000 schools in high poverty areas currently participate in CEP, which is now in its second year of nationwide implementation offering nutritious meals at no cost to 8.5 million students.</p>
<p>The Administrative Review final rule updates the administrative review process used by state agencies to monitor federally-funded school meal programs. It safeguards the integrity of the programs, ensures taxpayer dollars are being spent as intended, and increases accountability and transparency by publicly posting how well school food authorities are complying with various requirements. State agencies began implementing the updated review process in school year 2013-2014, and currently 95 percent of state agencies are already implementing the updated administrative review process.</p>
<p>The rules announced today are part of implementing the HHFKA where more than 52 million children now have healthier school environments than ever before with over 98 percent of schools meeting the healthier meal standards. In addition, research shows that under the updated standards nearly 80 percent of schools offer two or more vegetables at lunch and consumption has increased by more than 16 percent. This is especially crucial for the approximately 15.3 million American children that live in food insecure households, many of whom rely on school meals as a consistent source of nutritious food.</p>
<p>Key improvements to child nutrition programs implemented under the HHFKA include:</p>
<ul><li>Improving the nutritional quality of all food in schools to reflect recommendations from the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans;</li>
<li>The <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/006616" id="anch_130" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">rapid growth of farm to school efforts</a> to more than 42,000 participating schools;</li>
<li>Improvement of direct certification efforts with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to increase the number of eligible children enrolled in school meal programs;</li>
<li>Implementation of <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/fns-0002-15" id="anch_131" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">national professional standards</a> for all school nutrition employees who manage and operate the school meal programs;</li>
<li>Expansion of the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/afterschool-programs" id="anch_132" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">At Risk After School Meals Program</a> to all states;</li>
<li>And the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000616" id="anch_133" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">first major revision of the Child and Adult Care Food Program nutrition standards</a> since the program's inception in 1968.</li>
</ul><p>To better assist schools with these improvements, USDA also implemented <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000216" id="anch_134" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">mentor-based training for school nutrition professionals</a> through the <i>Team Up for School Nutrition Success</i> initiative. More information about USDA's efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans and support the health of our next generation can be found on USDA's Medium chapter, <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/growing-a-healthier-future-improving-nutrition-and-access-to-healthy-food-for-americans-74e35cd17b98#.k8cjyfpsf" id="anch_135" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Growing a Healthier Future</a>.</p>
<p>In total, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" id="anch_136" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a> and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program-sbp" id="anch_137" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">School Breakfast Program</a>, these programs include the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap" id="anch_138" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program" id="anch_139" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">summer meals programs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/women-infants-and-children-wic" id="anch_140" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children</a>, which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_141" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 21 Jul 2016 18:13:13 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"644247 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:16;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:85:"USDA Increases Assistance to Flint Families with Delivery of Nutritious Food Packages";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-001016";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6598:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0010.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-06-15T00:00:00-04:00">06/15/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 15, 2016 – Today Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide extra nutrition support to Flint, Michigan to help low-income residents affected by lead contamination in the city’s water.  In response to a request from the state, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will provide additional food to recipients of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in the Flint area to help address the ongoing crisis.  </p>
<p>“USDA is committed to using all possible avenues to provide relief to those affected by lead contamination in Flint,” Concannon said. “The high rate of poverty seen across Genesee County raises the stakes for FNS’s nutrition assistance programs to ensure that Flint-area citizens have consistent access to healthy food that can help fight the ill-effects of the lead crisis.”</p>
<p>Working with local food banks and feeding organizations, USDA will provide an additional 14-pound nutrient-targeted food package, containing foods rich in calcium, iron, and Vitamin C – which are believed to help limit the absorption of lead in the body – to more than 17,000 low-income, Flint-area households.  These boxes will be available each month for four months beginning in September. This food is in addition to the regular allotment that TEFAP recipients currently receive.</p>
<p>Providing food packages is the latest in a series of recent USDA actions to help residents of the stricken city, such as:</p>
<ul><li style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><a href="/pressrelease/2016/003716">Temporarily authorizing blood lead screening tests</a> at clinics for participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><a href="/pressrelease/2016/fns-000816">Expanding the Summer Electronic Benefits for Children pilot project</a> to all children in Genesee County; these students are eligible to receive a $30 benefit package each month during the summer for nutritious foods that may help mitigate lead absorption.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">The support and financing of an additional clinic for WIC in the downtown area of Flint.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Encouraging all eligible Flint-area schools to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision, a program that ensures universal access to healthy, school meals in low income areas.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Providing an additional $62,700 to help area schools purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Encouraging the use of WIC benefits to purchase ready-to-feed infant formula, which does not need to be mixed with water.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Offering extensive nutrition education through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) and other nutrition assistance programs on how to use nutrition to minimize the impact of lead in the bloodstream.</li>
</ul><p>For more information about USDA's support for those affected by the Flint lead crisis, please visit our <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&amp;contentid=2016/02/0038.xml">Flint Fact Sheet</a>.</p>
<p>TEFAP is a Federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost.  Through TEFAP, USDA purchases a variety of nutritious 100% domestic USDA Foods and makes those foods available to State Distributing Agencies to provide to local agencies, usually food banks, which in turn distribute the food to eligible participants and local organizations, such as soup kitchens and food pantries that directly serve the public. Under TEFAP, states also receive administrative funds to support the storage and distribution of USDA Foods.</p>
<p>This announcement is part of USDA's continued commitment to ensuring children and families have access to healthy foods. Over the last seven years, USDA has made historic improvements in many of its nutrition assistance programs.  Some examples include updated nutrition standards for school nutrition; the updated WIC package to include whole grains, low-fat dairy, and fruits and vegetables; expanding the scope of the SNAP nutrition education program; and supporting an unprecedented growth in the number of farmers markets that accept SNAP and WIC benefits. More information about USDA's efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans and supporting the health of our next generation can be found on USDA's Medium chapter, <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/growing-a-healthier-future-improving-nutrition-and-access-to-healthy-food-for-americans-d7120797c69e#.ei08189ea" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Growing a Healthier Future</a>.</p>
<p>FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, together, comprise America's nutrition safety net. They include WIC, SNAP, summer meals programs, and more. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p><em style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 15 Jun 2016 14:23:54 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"642565 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:17;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:122:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $16.8 Million in Grants to Encourage Healthy Food Purchases for SNAP Participants ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/014316";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11052:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0143.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications press@oc.usda.gov (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-06-08T00:00:00-04:00">06/08/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 8, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today awarded $16.8 million in competitive grants to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables. The funding comes from the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">"USDA is committed to providing low income families with the resources they need to consume more nutritious food. Last year, SNAP kept at least 4.7 million Americans — including 2.1 million children — out of poverty," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Programs like FINI build on the success we've seen with the use of healthy incentives and with many of the projects being run at farmers markets, we're also helping to strengthen local and regional food systems."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">FINI is a joint program between NIFA and </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_126" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, which oversees SNAP and is responsible for evaluating the impact of the variety of types of incentive programs being deployed by </span><a href="https://nifa.usda.gov/program/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program" id="anch_127" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">FINI</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> grantees. The program brings together stakeholders from different parts of the national food system to improve the nutrition and health status of SNAP households. The awards under FINI represent a variety of projects, including relatively small pilot projects, multi-year community-based projects, and larger-scale multi-year projects.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Fiscal year 2016 awards include:</span></p>
<p><b style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Pilot projects (up to $100,000, not to exceed 1 year)</b><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">:</span></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Community Food Bank, Inc., Tucson, Ariz., $62,923</li>
<li>Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, Little Rock, Ark., $94,000</li>
<li>Chicago Horticultural Society, Chicago, Ill., $99,973</li>
<li>The Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., $100,000</li>
<li>Mountain Comprehensive Health Corp., Whitesburg, Ky., $72,360</li>
<li>Michigan Physical Fitness, Health and Sports Foundation, Lansing, Mich., $29,809</li>
<li>The Fortune Society, Inc., Long Island, N.Y., $100,000</li>
<li>Mid-Ohio Foodbank, Grove City, Ohio, $100,000</li>
<li>South Central Community Action Programs, Inc., Gettysburg, Pa., $26,242</li>
<li>Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, Vt., $100,000</li>
<li>City of Madison, Madison, Wis., $93,055</li>
<li>Hunger Task Force, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., $100,000</li>
</ul><p><b style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Multi-year community-based projects (up to $500,000, not to exceed 4 years)</b><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">:</span></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Pinnacle Prevention Corp., Gilbert, Ariz., $400,000</li>
<li>Youth Policy Institute, Los Angeles, Calif., $499,923</li>
<li>Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative, Oakland, Calif., $155,200</li>
<li>San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, San Francisco, Calif., $308,131</li>
<li>LiveWell Colorado, Denver, Colo., $497,806</li>
<li>Wholesome Wave, Bridgeport, Conn., $499,720</li>
<li>Experimental Station, Chicago, Ill., $313,499</li>
<li>Community Food &amp; Agriculture Coalition Inc., Missoula, Mont., $94,312</li>
<li>Harvest Home Farmer's Market, New York, N.Y., $499,992</li>
<li>Field &amp; Fork Network Inc., Williamsville, N.Y., $393,813</li>
<li>Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa, Inc., Tulsa, Okla., $481,191</li>
</ul><p><b style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Multi-year large-scale projects ($500,000 or greater, not to exceed 4 years)</b><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">:</span></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>University of California-San Diego, San Diego, Calif., $3,384,909</li>
<li>Mid-America Regional Council Community Services Corporation, Kansas City, Mo., $2,888,979</li>
<li>New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association, Santa Fe, N.M., $2,001,198</li>
<li>Fund for Public Health in New York, Inc., New York, N.Y., $3,378,965</li>
</ul><p>The grants support creative community partnerships that also benefit regional food producers and local economies along with SNAP participants. Brief descriptions of each project can be found on the <a href="http://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/0?path=fastlink1.txt&amp;id=anon&amp;pass=&amp;search=(GC=FPP;FIP;FLSP)%20AND%20(IY=2015)&amp;format=WEBTITLESGIY" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">NIFA website</a> and <a href="https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/usda-awards-31-million-grants-help-snap-participants-afford-healthy-foods" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">2015 project descriptions</a> are also available. Previous grantees include the Mass. Department of Transitional Assistance for a multiyear program providing a dollar-for-dollar match for each SNAP dollar spent on targeted fruits and vegetables purchased at Farmers' Markets, Farm Stands, Mobile Markets, and CSAs statewide. The Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Penn. received 2015 funds for incentives to purchase of locally grown, organic vegetables and fruit with a dollar-for-dollar match at the point of purchase.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">More information about USDA's efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans and supporting the health of our next generation can be found on USDA's Medium chapter, </span><a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/growing-a-healthier-future-improving-nutrition-and-access-to-healthy-food-for-americans-d7120797c69e#.2bykl2eyi" id="anch_130" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Growing a Healthier Future</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">. Additional information about USDA efforts to support local and regional food systems, including by increasing SNAP access at farmers markets, can be found in the </span><a href="https://medium.com/usda-results/" id="anch_131" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">New Markets, New Opportunities</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> Medium chapter.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">SNAP - the nation's first line of defense against hunger - helps put food on the table for millions of families experiencing hardship. The program has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, and more than 42 percent of recipients live in households in which at least one adult is working but still cannot afford to put food on the table. SNAP benefits provided help to millions who lost their jobs during the Great Recession. For many, SNAP benefits provide temporary assistance, with the average new applicant remaining on the program 12 months.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Since 2009, NIFA has invested in and advanced innovative and transformative initiatives to solve societal challenges and ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA's integrated research, education, and extension programs, supporting the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel, have resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that are combating childhood obesity, improving and sustaining rural economic growth, addressing water availability issues, increasing food production, finding new sources of energy, mitigating climate variability, and ensuring food safety. To learn more about NIFA's impact on agricultural science, visit </span><a href="http://www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts" id="anch_132" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, sign up for </span><a href="http://bit.ly/NIFAsubscribe" id="anch_133" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">email updates</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, or follow us on Twitter </span><a href="https://twitter.com/usda_nifa" id="anch_134" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">@usda_NIFA</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NIFAimpacts?src=hash" id="anch_135" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">#NIFAimpacts</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992(English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay) </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 08 Jun 2016 15:17:39 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"642395 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:18;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:146:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Joins Education Secretary King and Virginia First Lady McAuliffe to Celebrate National Summer Meals Program Kick-Off";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/014116";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6724:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0141.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications press@oc.usda.gov (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-06-07T00:00:00-04:00">06/07/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>PETERSBURG, VA, June 7, 2016 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Education Secretary John B. King, Jr. joined students and other stakeholders at Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Petersburg, Virginia to celebrate the start of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) summer meals programs. The two secretaries were joined by Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe and Virginia's Secretary of Education Anne Holton to raise awareness of the importance and availability of summer meals for children and teens.</p>
<p>"USDA has been committed to closing the food insecurity gap that occurs in the summer months when children no longer have access to the nutritious meals they're offered in school," said Secretary Vilsack. "We're proud to have served more than 1.2 billion meals through the summer meals programs during our administration -- fueling kids and teens to be physically active, take advantage of summer enrichment opportunities, and thrive throughout the summer and when they return to school in the fall."</p>
<p>In a joint letter, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Education Secretary King urge local leaders to make sure that children do not go hungry this summer. Among the ways to help, they outline providing summer meals to children at schools and community centers this summer; sharing information about nearby summer meal sites; and serving as a community champion.</p>
<p>"While many students look forward to the end of the school year and summer enrichment opportunities, for far too many students, summer means hunger," said Education Secretary King. "Working with USDA, we are grateful for the schools across the country who open their doors to provide children with healthy meals, even when the school year is over."</p>
<p>This year, USDA's summer meals programs are partnering with the Department of Education and Department of Labor to promote the Summer Opportunity Project, a White House initiative to expand opportunities for youth throughout the summer. The summer meals programs play an important role in achieving this goal by ensuring youth's most basic needs for food and nourishment are met, allowing them to focus on pursuing and leveraging summer opportunities.</p>
<p>USDA is working with local, state, and national partners to communicate the location of summer meals sites to teens participating in summer youth employment programs. They are also encouraging sites to create opportunity offering physical and enrichment activities to keep children and teens engaged with their environment. They also created a series of free materials – <a href="/summer-food-summer-moves" id="anch_123" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food, Summer Moves</a> – to provide ideas and examples.</p>
<p>Across the nation, approximately 22.1 million students receive free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program. But only about 1 in 6 of those (approximately 3.8 million) participate in the summer meals programs. That is the critical gap that the summer meals programs work to fill. In 2015, there were more than 66,000 meal sites serving over 190 million meals. Virginia alone had 1,500 approved summer meal sites that provided over 4 million meals to kids and teens across the state.</p>
<p>"In Virginia, about 87 percent of students who rely on free or reduced price school meals miss out on summer meal programs each day," said Mrs. McAuliffe. "We can and must do more to increase participation in these programs and connect more kids with the healthy food they need to be successful."</p>
<p>USDA's <a href="/summerfoodrocks" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Meal Site Finder</a> makes it easy for families to locate their nearest summer meals sites through a free, web-based application that features an easily-searchable map. Families can also identify nearby sites by calling 1-866-348-6479 (English) or 1-877-842-6273 (Spanish) or using a text service operated by a USDA partner by texting FOOD (English) or COMIDA (Spanish) to 877-877.</p>
<p>This is just one of many advances USDA has made to the <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">summer meals programs</a> and its other nutrition assistance programs over the last seven years. Other examples include updated nutrition standards for <a href="/school-meals/child-nutrition-programs" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">school meals</a> in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; an updated food package for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="/wic/women-infants-and-children-wic" id="anch_127" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants, and Children</a>; and finalizing science based standards for meals served in the <a href="/cacfp/child-and-adult-care-food-program" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Child and Adult Care Food Program</a>. In total, USDA administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, together, comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay) </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:09:57 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"642379 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:19;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:68:"USDA Publishes Guide to Help Convenience Stores Sell Healthier Foods";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000916";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7630:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0009.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-06-02T00:00:00-04:00">06/02/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>PHILADELPHIA, June 2, 2016 – Today U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon announced a new publication that will help enhance access to healthy foods for residents of low-income neighborhoods. The <a href="/hcs">Healthy Corner Stores Guide</a> provides information, strategies, and resources for organizations interested in making healthy foods and beverages available in corner stores within their communities.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">“USDA is committed to encouraging neighborhood stores to stock and sell healthier food and beverage items,” said Concannon. “Families in low-income areas rely on corner stores because their communities often lack supermarkets, farmers markets, or stores where they can buy fresh produce and other healthy foods.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Concannon made this announcement at Good Neighbor Mini Market, which carries a variety of groceries and fresh produce in Philadelphia, PA. Corner stores like these, often referred to as convenience stores or </span><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">bodegas</span><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, are small-scale stores that may have a more limited selection of food and products. The Good Neighbor Mini Market has been enrolled in The Food Trust’s Healthy Corner Store Network since July 2010. The network connects community members, nonprofits, local government, funders, and other advocates across the country to share resources and best practices on the latest strategies for healthy food retail in small stores.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">The Good Neighbor Mini Market has more than quadrupled its fresh produce selection since joining the Healthy Corner Store Network. It has tripled the low-sodium and low-sugar canned vegetable and fruit inventory and introduced a wide variety of healthy snacks. Research </span><a href="http://prc.tulane.edu/uploads/Neighbourhood%20F%20and%20V%20availability%20and%20consumption_Role%20of%20small%20food%20stores%20in%20urban%20env.pdf" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">conducted by Tulane University</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> shows that the amount of shelf space dedicated to fruits and vegetables at corner stores like this one is positively associated with increased consumption of these healthier food choices among nearby residents.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">The Healthy Corner Stores Guide provides strategies for marketing healthier product options, sourcing healthy food and beverages, and making changes to the way food and beverage items are displayed. For example, stores could display healthier items at eye-level, near checkout counters, or by entryways, so they are visible when customers first enter the store. The guide also describes how to engage owners and community members through nutrition education and program incentives. One great example is the New York City “Adopt a Bodega” program, which gives stores a star rating based on its achievements.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Encouraging and supporting the availability of healthier food and beverage items for all Americans is an important goal for USDA. The Healthy Corner Stores Guide is the latest initiative in ongoing efforts to promote healthy food and lifestyle choices by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and residents of low-income communities. Others include:</span></p>
<ul><li>A proposed rule to improve the range of <a href="/pressrelease/2016/004516">healthy food choices SNAP-authorized retailers</a> must stock.</li>
<li><a href="/pressrelease/2015/027615">Making funds available</a> that help participants in SNAP increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables.</li>
<li>Working to <a href="/pressrelease/2015/fns-0007-15">increase SNAP access at roadside farm stands, farmers markets</a>, and directly from local farmers.</li>
<li>The <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2016/03/31/snap-ed-helps-spur-healthy-choices/">final rule for SNAP education (SNAP-Ed)</a> implemented in 2013, which authorized the promotion of physical activity as part of nutrition education and obesity prevention. </li>
</ul><p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Over the past seven years, USDA has enhanced federal nutrition programs, providing a critical safety net for millions of American children and families. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the </span><a href="/snap" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, these programs include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for </span><a href="/wic" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Women, Infants and Children</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, the </span><a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">National School Lunch Program</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, and the </span><a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Summer Food Service Program</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">www.fns.usda.gov</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay) </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">##</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 02 Jun 2016 13:41:10 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"639622 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:20;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:95:"Report Shows Monthly Summer EBT Benefit Reduces Food Insecurity in Children, Improves Nutrition";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000816";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9228:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Summer Nutrition Benefits Also Expanded for Children in Flint Area</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0008.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-05-11T00:00:00-04:00">05/11/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 11, 2016 – Results of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report posted today on the <a href="/summer-electronic-benefit-transfer-children-sebtc-demonstration-summary-report">Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) demonstration project</a> confirm a significant reduction in food insecurity among participating families.   The project tested two benefit levels – $30 and $60 per month per child – both of which were found to reduce the most severe form of food insecurity and led to positive nutritional outcomes.</p>
<p>“The findings of the evaluation are conclusive:  Summer EBT reduces food insecurity,” said Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary of USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.  “It is another powerful tool in our portfolio, and in conjunction with other ongoing efforts such as the Community Eligibility Provision and summer meal programs, it enables us to fight child hunger from multiple angles.”</p>
<p>The report analyzes pooled data from the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 evaluations of the Summer EBT demonstration project, which provides parents or guardians of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals with a monthly benefit via a debit-type card which can be redeemed for food purchases throughout summer when children do not have access to school meals.   The evaluations assessed impact on food security based on different levels of monthly summer benefits – $60, $30, and $0 – and different distribution models: one where benefits are allocated via specific food items similar to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and another where a specific monetary amount is available for food purchases similar to the system that delivers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA found that providing low-income children a $30 or $60 per month per child benefit reduced the most severe type of food insecurity, defined by disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake, among children by one-third during the summer.  A $60 per month per child benefit also cut less severe food insecurity – characterized by a decrease in quality, variety, and/or desirability of diet – by 10 percent.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Participating in Summer EBT also led to positive changes in nutrition for participating children.  Both monthly benefit levels led to positive changes in children’s nutritional outcomes compared to receiving no benefits; but, children in households receiving the $60 benefit ate slightly more nutritious foods than children in the $30 group. Though there were positive impacts on nutrition for children in both distribution models, households that received a WIC-model food package generally ate more healthfully than households that received a SNAP-model benefit. Additional breakdown of the findings for each year is available in the annual evaluation reports posted on </span><a href="/report-finder" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">the Food and Nutrition Service’s website</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">The Summer EBT demonstration project was funded by Congress in 2010 and has been supported through subsequent appropriations in Fiscal Years 2015 and 2016.  States were selected for participation in Summer EBT using a competitive Request for Applications.  USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) </span><a href="/pressrelease/2016/008716" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">recently announced the grantees for summer 2016</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, which include Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, and Oregon. All eight grantees have existing Summer EBT projects.  Six grantees proposed to expand their programs in rural areas (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Delaware, Missouri, Nevada, and Oregon), building on the significant rural and tribal expansion that began in 2015. Two grantees (Michigan and Missouri) will expand in areas of extreme need which include Detroit and Flint, Mi., and Ferguson, Mo.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA also announced today a measure to expand the access of these benefits to the greater Flint area. Now, an additional 23,000 children who may have been affected by the water crisis will be eligible to receive a $30 benefit package each summer month. These students will also receive information on nutritious foods that may help mitigate lead absorption.  This brings the total number of children who could benefit to about 39,000. For more information about USDA's support for those affected by the Flint lead crisis, please visit our </span><a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&amp;contentid=2016/02/0038.xml" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Flint Fact Sheet</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Based on the positive results of Summer EBT identified in the evaluations, President Obama’s 2017 budget seeks to ensure vulnerable children across the country have adequate access to nutritious food during the summer by expanding access to Summer EBT. The proposed plan would invest $12.2 billion over 10 years to make Summer EBT a permanent program and begin a phased-in nationwide expansion.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">During the school year, nearly 22 million children receive nutritious free and reduced price school meals through USDA’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP). However, less than a fifth of these children receive meals through USDA’s summer meals programs when school is out of session. As a result, low-income children are at higher risk of food insecurity and poor nutrition during the summer. The Summer EBT demonstration project is meant to help bridge that gap and is an important component of FNS’s larger body of work aimed at ensuring children have access to healthy food in the summer.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Over the past seven years, USDA has enhanced federal nutrition programs, providing a critical safety net for millions of American children and families. Some examples include, updated nutrition standards for school nutrition, the updated WIC package to include whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables, expanding the scope of the SNAP nutrition education program, and supporting an unprecedented growth in the number of farmers markets that accept SNAP and WIC benefits. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">In total, FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that comprise America's nutrition safety net. They include NSLP, School Breakfast Program, WIC, SNAP, and more.  For more information, visit </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 11 May 2016 18:20:18 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"639048 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:21;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:80:"USDA Makes Funds Available to State Agencies to Help Keep Young Children in WIC ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000716";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5774:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0007.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-05-03T00:00:00-04:00">05/03/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 3, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced that approximately $2 million in grants is available to help state agencies retain young children in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program through age 5. Young children are vulnerable to a wide of variety of nutrition-related problems that can impair their development and growth, making WIC a crucial part of ensuring young children have a foundation for nutritional success. </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Based on 2012 national and state level estimates, approximately 85 percent of income-eligible infants participate in WIC in their first year of life, totaling approximately half of all infants born in the U.S.  However, the percent of eligible children between the ages of one and four who participate in WIC is just 53 percent. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Over the past few years, appropriate retention of children participating in WIC has been identified as a challenge, evidenced by a significant drop in participation and risking the long-term health and nutrition effects after infants reach age one,” said Concannon. “These grants are a step forward to help the USDA address this issue and ensure young children continue to receive the nutritional support they need to grow up healthy and strong.”   </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Applications proposing innovative strategies to improve child retention in the program are due June 15, and grants will be awarded later this year. The grants are divided into two classes: full and mini. Three full grants are anticipated to be awarded for up to $500,000 each over a three-year period, and grantees are required to present project findings to FNS in the spring of 2020. Recipients of up to six mini grants will be awarded up to $100,000 and each must present their findings by summer 2018.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">The 90 WIC state agencies responsible for administering WIC in the states, territories, and Indian Tribal Organizations are eligible for the grants. When applying, lead state agencies can collaborate and partner with their local WIC offices, local colleges or universities, public health organizations, Head Start programs, or other similar programs that serve low-income families with children under 5 years of age to encourage holistic, community-based solutions</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">For more information on how to apply and contact information, visit grants.gov at: </span><a href="http://www.grants.gov/custom/viewOppDetails.jsp?oppId=283081" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">http://www.grants.gov/custom/viewOppDetails.jsp?oppId=283081</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">This announcement is part of USDA's continued commitment to ensuring children and families have access to a healthy diet. Over the past seven years, USDA has enhanced federal nutrition programs, providing a critical safety net for millions of American children and families. Some examples include, updated nutrition standards for school nutrition, the updated WIC package to include whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables, expanding the scope of the SNAP nutrition education program, and supporting an unprecedented growth in the number of farmers markets that accept SNAP and WIC benefits. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">WIC is one of FNS’s 15 nutrition assistance programs, which also include the National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  Together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">##</p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992(English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</span></em></p>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 03 May 2016 17:13:50 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"638687 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:22;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:96:"USDA Announces Effort to Strengthen Nutrition among Young Children, Create Healthy Habits Early ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000616";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6591:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0006.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-04-22T00:00:00-04:00">04/22/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>ORLANDO, Fla. April 22, 2016 – Today Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon announced strengthened nutrition standards for food and beverages served to young children and others in day care settings at the annual conference of the National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Sponsors Association. Young children and adults in day care will now receive meals with more whole grains, a greater variety of vegetables and fruits, and less added sugars and solid fats. The science-based standards introduced in this <a href="/fr-042516">final rule</a> will elevate the nutritional quality of meals and snacks provided under the CACFP to better align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and to be consistent with the meals children receive as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).</p>
<p>“Research indicates that America's obesity problem starts young, with obesity rates in preschoolers more than doubling over the last three decades and one in eight preschoolers classified as obese,” said Concannon. “Since taste preference and eating habits develop early in life, CACFP could play a crucial role in the solution. This final rule marks another important step toward ensuring young children have access to the nutrition they need and develop healthy habits that will contribute to their well-being over the long term.”</p>
<p>The new meal patterns will improve access to healthy beverages, including low-fat and fat-free milk and water, and encourage breastfeeding for the youngest program participants. These standards reflect the nutritional improvements seen in children across the country since the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.</p>
<p>CACFP provides aid to child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to the growth and development of children and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled persons. Through the CACFP, over 4 million children and nearly 120,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks each day as part of the care they receive.</p>
<p>This is the first major revision of the CACFP meal patterns since the program's inception in 1968 and will require meals and snacks provided through the CACFP to better reflect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the nutritional issues facing young children and adults today. These changes are a meaningful first step in improving CACFP participants’ access to nutritious foods. Since the inception of CACFP, the most prevalent nutrition-related health problems among participants have shifted from malnutrition to overconsumption, including calories, saturated fats, added sugar, and sodium.  These vulnerable populations also tend to under consume of fiber and other essential nutrients.</p>
<p>The new standards were carefully designed to make significant, achievable, and cost-neutral improvements to the nutritional quality of the meals and snacks served through CACFP. USDA focused on incremental changes that balance the science behind the nutritional needs of the diverse CACFP participants and the practical abilities of participating centers and day care homes to implement these changes.  By setting an implementation date of October 1, 2017, the final rule provides ample lead time for centers and day care homes to learn and understand the new meal pattern standards before they are required to be in full compliance. USDA will provide in-person and online trainings and is developing new resources and training materials, such as menu planning tools, new and updated recipes, and tip sheets, to ensure successful implementation of the new nutrition standards.</p>
<p>This announcement is part of USDA's continued commitment to ensuring children and families have access to a healthy diet. Over the past seven years, USDA has enhanced federal nutrition programs, providing a critical safety net for millions of American children and families. Some examples include, updated nutrition standards for school nutrition, the updated WIC package to include whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables, expanding the scope of the SNAP nutrition education program, and supporting an unprecedented growth in the number of farmers markets that accept SNAP and WIC benefits. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation.</p>
<p>The Child and Adult Care Food Program is one of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s 15 nutrition assistance programs, which also include the <a href="/cnd/lunch/">National School Lunch Program</a>, <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a>, the <a href="/wic">Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children</a> (WIC), and <a href="/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>. Together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net. </p>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:06:54 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"638224 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:23;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:63:"Statement from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Child Nutrition";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/008616";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4442:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0086.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-04-08T00:00:00-04:00">04/08/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 8, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement in response to a <a href="http://frac.org/pdf/take-up-of-cep-report.pdf">new report done jointly by the Food Research &amp; Action Center (FRAC) and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)</a> regarding positive outcomes of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), part of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which allows eligible high-poverty schools to offer school meals to all students at no charge, so they can focus on serving children the nutritious meals they need to learn, instead of doing paperwork.</p>
<p>"This report is further evidence that schools participating in CEP are making great strides ensuring that all children are well nourished and prepared to learn, especially since many of these students rely on school meals as their best source of nutritious food. CEP is a win for schools, parents and students, and the results we've seen in the first 2 years of nationwide implementation are inspiring. The report also underscores how the 2010 bipartisan child nutrition law has achieved significant positive results for child nutrition and health. It is because of these undeniable results that I urge Congress to stay the course in child nutrition. It would be unwise to roll back standards, saddle parents and school administrators with more paperwork or weaken assistance for our most vulnerable children. USDA stands ready to work with Congress to support the reauthorization of child nutrition programs that continue to improve the health and wellbeing of the next generation."</p>
<p>The CEP report shows:</p>
<ul><li>In the 2014-2015 school year, 4,000 new schools took advantage of the ability to streamline school meal administration through CEP;</li>
<li>In total, 3,000 school districts and 18,000 schools-more than half of all eligible schools-are participating, benefitting more than 8.5 million students without stigma;</li>
<li>Due in part to CEP, more than 90,000 schools now participate in the School Breakfast Program, a 27 percent jump since 2009; and</li>
<li>Schools participating in CEP are benefiting from improved program integrity, fewer hours spent on administrative work, and increased student participation in meal programs;</li>
</ul><p>Since passage of the bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010, America's children have benefitted in the following ways:</p>
<ul><li>Data show that obesity rates are falling among young kids;</li>
<li>97 percent of schools have embraced updated, healthier meal standards;</li>
<li>Kids are now eating at least 13 percent more of their entrees, at least 16 percent more vegetables and 23 percent more fruit at lunch;</li>
<li>More low-income children are benefiting from breakfast and lunch programs;</li>
<li>Nearly 4 million children have access to healthy food in the summer when school is out and meals are scarce; and</li>
<li>8 million low-income women, infants and young children now receive an improved variety of healthy food through WIC.</li>
</ul><p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 08 Apr 2016 14:14:47 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"637690 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:24;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:108:"USDA Announces Awardees of Summer EBT Grants, Extends Benefits to Flint, Michigan and Other High-Need Areas ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/008716";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6919:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0087.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-04-08T00:00:00-04:00">04/08/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>FLINT, Mich., April 8, 2016 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced $26.9 million in grant funds to be distributed among eight grantees to continue administering pilots of the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) programs, providing summertime nutrition assistance to children who receive free and reduced price meals during the school year. In addition to funding existing pilots for summer 2016, these grants will extend benefits to new rural areas, Tribal Nations, and areas of extreme need including Flint, Michigan. Concannon made the announcement at an event at Haskell Youth Center in Flint, encouraging students to use good nutrition as a way to help mitigate the negative health impacts of the water crisis.</p>
<p>"While students from low income households have consistent access to nutritious meals during the academic year through the school meals programs, they are more vulnerable to food insecurity when school is out for the summer," said Concannon. "USDA's Summer EBT pilots have shown that students who participate in Summer EBT are better nourished throughout the summer months. This is especially important in Flint, where good nutrition is a crucial tool in mitigating the absorption of lead."</p>
<p>Summer EBT provides a monthly benefit on a debit-type card that can be used throughout the summer for food purchases at authorized stores. Summer EBT is a complement to traditional summer meals programs, which offer no cost summer meals at approved sites, and is especially valuable in areas with limited or no access to traditional summer meals programs. Given the critical need for good nutrition to mitigate the impacts of the water crisis, USDA is providing Michigan with grant funds to expand Summer EBT to Flint for this coming summer. Over 15,000 Flint students who have been affected by the water crisis will be eligible to receive a $30 benefit package each summer month. These students will also receive information on nutritious foods that may help mitigate lead absorption.</p>
<p>Summer EBT, which is currently operating as demonstration project, was first funded by Congress in 2010. Rigorous evaluations of these pilots found that Summer EBT can significantly reduce very low food security among children, the most severe form of food insecurity, by one-third. Studies also showed that these additional resources enabled families to eat more healthfully, eating significantly more fruits and vegetables and whole grains – key building blocks to better health. Based on these proven successes, the President's proposed plan would allow Summer EBT to reach nearly 20 million children once fully implemented.</p>
<p>This year's grantees include Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, and Oregon. All eight grantees participated in Summer EBT in 2015; however, their 2016 projects are aiming to serve over 250,000 children total, nearly 90 percent more, or over 120,000 additional children, than in 2015. Six grantees proposed to expand their programs in rural areas (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Delaware, Missouri, Nevada, and Oregon), building on the significant rural and tribal expansion that began in 2015. Two grantees (Michigan and Missouri) will expand in areas of extreme need, which in addition to Flint include Detroit, MI and Ferguson, MO.</p>
<p>During the academic year, free and reduced price school meals help ensure nearly 22 million low-income children have consistent access to nutritious food through the National School Lunch Program. However, only approximately one-fifth of those children currently participate in summer meal programs. USDA's efforts to expand and enhance both the traditional summer meals programs and Summer EBT are working to fill that gap. Since this administration took office, USDA has served more than 1.2 billion summer meals to kids in need.</p>
<p>In 2010, Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act with bipartisan support to help ensure all American children have the nutritious food they need to perform well in school and grow into healthy adults. The law is working and we are already beginning to see signs of changing diets among children with over 97 percent of schools report that they are successfully meeting the updated nutrition standards.</p>
<p>This announcement is part of USDA's continued commitment to ensuring children and families have access to a healthy diet. Over the last six years, USDA has made historic improvements in many of its nutrition assistance programs. Some examples include, updated nutrition standards for school nutrition, the updated WIC package to include whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables, expanding the scope of the SNAP nutrition education program, and supporting an unprecedented growth in the number of farmers markets that accept SNAP and WIC benefits.</p>
<p>In total, FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, together, comprise America's nutrition safety net. They include, as mentioned above, WIC, SNAP, summer meals programs, and more. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 08 Apr 2016 14:59:35 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"637695 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:25;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:89:"USDA Announces Winners of Innovation Challenge Aimed at Improving Access to School Meals ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-0005-16";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8023:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Individuals, Teams, &amp; Organizations Honored for Modernized, User-Focused Applications</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0005-16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-03-31T00:00:00-04:00">03/31/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 31, 2016 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) named 10 winners of its E.A.T. (Electronic Application Transformation) School Lunch U.X. Challenge, a public “hackathon” challenging individuals and organizations to revolutionize the way households apply for free and reduced price school meals. </p>
<p>“The hard work and creativity displayed by the participants of the E.A.T. School Lunch U.X. Challenge is inspiring,” said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.  “USDA embraces innovation and is committed to exploring all possible approaches to enhancing its programs and maximizing benefits for all participants. By hosting a public challenge, we can tap into this country’s greatest resource: its people.”</p>
<p>The goal of the challenge was to develop a forward-thinking, web-based application for the school meals programs – including both the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) – that would help streamline the process for parents and schools and promote accurate, complete responses.  USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the federal agency responsible for administering the school meals programs, offers a prototype paper application on its website, and thousands of school districts have adopted or modified that application for their own use.  Many districts also offer online applications; however, FNS does not currently have an electronic prototype for them to use as a model.</p>
<p>Millions of paper applications for school meal benefits are filed every year, and nearly 10 million low income children were approved to receive benefits in school year 2014-15 through this form of application.  In total, approximately 100,000 schools and institutions across the nation serve more than five billion meals through the NSLP and more than two billion through the SBP to America’s children in 2015.</p>
<p>From the diverse pool of designers and coders who submitted electronic application prototypes, a panel of five expert judges selected the following awardees:</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>First Prize:</strong> <a href="http://devpost.com/software/lunchline">LunchLine</a> by Lauren MacGuidwin, Cody Landstrom, Keaton Bedell, and Jessica Zhang<br /><strong>Second Prize</strong>: <a href="http://devpost.com/software/usda-eat-ux-form">Reduced Lunch Form</a> by Gavy Aggarwal and Abirami Kurinchi-Vendhan<br /><strong>Third Prize: </strong><a href="http://devpost.com/software/eat-school-lunch-submission-emily-justin-mccammon">Eat School Lunch Submission</a> by Emily McCammon and Justin McCammon</p>
<p><strong>Honorable Mentions:</strong></p>
<p style="margin-left: 80px;">-- <a href="http://devpost.com/software/project-almuerzo">Project Almuerzo</a> by Taylor Palmer<br />-- <a href="http://devpost.com/software/eatchallenge">eatChallenge</a> by Kyle Warneck and Anne Paprocki<br />-- <a href="http://devpost.com/software/e-a-t-school-lunch-ux-challenge">E.A.T School Lunch UX Challenge</a> by Jon Tuttle<br />-- <a href="http://devpost.com/software/lunchbox-uiryt1">Lunchbox</a> by William Holley<br />-- <a href="http://devpost.com/software/e-a-t-school-lunch-ux">E.A.T. School Lunch UX</a> by Abijeet Kaulgud </p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>Student Award:</strong> <a href="http://devpost.com/software/usda-eat-ux-form">Reduced Lunch Form</a> (see above)<br /><strong>Best Creative Design Aesthetic: </strong><a href="http://devpost.com/software/lunchline">LunchLine</a> (see above)<br /><strong>Best Technical Implementation</strong>: <a href="http://devpost.com/software/eatchallenge">eatChallenge</a> (see above)<br /><strong>Best Behavioral Design Elements</strong>: <a href="http://devpost.com/software/lunchline">LunchLine</a> (see above)</p>
<p>The public also cast votes online for their favorite submissions to determine the Popular Choice Award, which was presented to <a href="http://devpost.com/software/team-lunchbox-eat-school-lunch-ux-challenge">Team Lunchbox – School Lunch Mobile-Responsive Web App</a> by Cara Abel, Miriam Donath, Alexander Tran, Andy Hollenhorst, Eric Famiglietti, and Giselle Sperber.  A total of $50,000 in cash prizes was distributed among the eligible awardees.  Judges also considered submissions from large organizations for a non-cash honor, awarding the Large Organization Recognition Award to Gravity Tank’s <a href="http://devpost.com/software/project-oliver">Project Oliver</a>.</p>
<p>The electronic applications developed through this competition will inform FNS as they work to create a prototype that can be shared with all school districts, incorporating the most useful ideas and insights from across the various submissions. The resulting application prototype will improve the user experience of millions of applicants and enhance the programs responsible for ensuring all American children have access to healthy school meals.</p>
<p>USDA hosted this prize challenge under the America COMPETES Act, which encourages government agencies to use prize competitions to spur innovation, solve tough problems, and advance their core missions.  According to Challenge.gov, a platform created to house these competitions, between September 2010 and October 2015, more than 80 federal agencies ran 455+ challenge and prize competitions.  FNS launched the E.A.T. School Lunch UX Challenge on Dec. 1, 2015, and submissions were accepted through March 1, 2016. </p>
<p>The school meals programs – NSLP and SBP – are just two of the 15 nutrition assistance programs administered by FNS.  Others include, but are not limited to, the Child and Adult Care Food Program; the Summer Food Service Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
<p>Over the past seven years, USDA has enhanced federal nutrition programs, providing a critical safety net for millions of American children and families. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation. Today concludes National Nutrition Month. Throughout the month, USDA has highlighted results of its efforts to improve nutrition and reduce food insecurity at <a href="http://www.medium.com/usda-results">www.medium.com/usda-results</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">###</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish federal-relay).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:09:55 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"637511 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:26;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:41:"SNAP Employment, Training a USDA Priority";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000416";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5791:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">SNAP Employment, Training a USDA Priority
USDA Announces New Results-Focused Reporting Rule for Job-Driven Programs
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0004.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-03-23T00:00:00-04:00">03/23/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 23, 2016 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced new steps to further strengthen the success of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&amp;T) activities, in the latest action by the department to help more SNAP participants develop marketable skills and find jobs.</p>
<p>"In today’s job market, it’s clear that workers who increase their education and sharpen their skills are more likely to be employed, more likely to have higher earnings and become more self-sufficient," said Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. "These are effects that are passed on to future generations, breaking the cycle of poverty that encumbers too many households."</p>
<p>The new outcome reporting requirements, mandated by the 2014 Farm Bill, will help states, USDA, and the public understand the effectiveness of SNAP E&amp;T programs.  States can use these data to identify best practices and identify areas for improvement. Starting next year, the rule requires states to provide annual data on employment entry, job retention, median earnings, and other education and employment-related outcomes.</p>
<p>To foster and streamline partnerships across federal training programs, the reporting requirements are aligned closely with the measures included in the <em>Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act</em>, which governs the nation’s federal training programs.</p>
<p>Concannon said the <a href="/fr-032416">rule published today</a> underscores USDA’s ongoing commitment to help states develop robust E&amp;T programs that help low-income Americans transition off SNAP the right way: through a well-paying job.  He noted additional recent efforts:</p>
<ul><li style="margin-left: 0.75in;">In March 2015, USDA announced the participants of $200 million in <a href="/pressrelease/2015/007115">competitive awards to fund and evaluate 10 long-term pilot projects</a> designed to help SNAP participants find jobs and work toward self-sufficiency. The <a href="/2014-snap-e-t-pilots">pilot projects</a>, which were funded by the 2014 Farm Bill, represent a wide array of approaches—including skills training, work-based learning, support services such as transportation and child care, and other job-driven strategies—and reflect the wide geographic diversity of the SNAP population.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.75in;">In October 2015, <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/03/0056.xml">USDA announced that it will be partnering with the Seattle Jobs Initiative</a> to elevate best practices in SNAP E&amp;T and offer technical assistance to states on how to implement job-driven SNAP E&amp;T programs.  USDA's Food and Nutrition Service selected the Seattle Jobs Initiative to operate this initiative, called SNAP to Skills, for the next two years. In March 2016, <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/03/0056.xml&amp;contentidonly=true">USDA announced 10 states</a> that would receive extra technical assistance through SNAP to Skills to improve their E&amp;T programs.</li>
</ul><p>Today’s announcement comes during National Nutrition Month.  Throughout the month, USDA is highlighting the <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results">results of our efforts</a> to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans, and support the health of our next generation.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="/snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="/wic">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p align="center"><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish federal-relay).</span></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 23 Mar 2016 16:40:54 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"637244 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:27;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:65:"SNAP Process, Technology Improvement Grants Application Announced";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000316";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7001:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Funding aims to improve efficiency, customer service at local level</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0003.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-03-18T00:00:00-04:00">03/18/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 21, 2016 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced today the availability of $5 million in competitive grants to improve efficiency and customer service of agencies that administer the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s <a href="/snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP). These grants will fund initiatives that use technology to achieve procedural changes, such as electronic application filing, document imaging, telephone interviews, and web-based access to case status information. Changes of this nature result in faster processing of SNAP applications, and quicker approval of benefits, for eligible applicants who need them most. Applications for the grants are due April 18.</p>
<p>“USDA supports use of the most up-to-date technology to improve the service we provide to the millions of Americans in need who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to put food on the table,” Concannon said.</p>
<p>USDA is seeking grant applications that focus on modernization projects that improve the quality and efficiency of office operations and processes, and in turn, help clients by providing quicker service and ensuring access to SNAP benefit levels.</p>
<p>“Americans support helping struggling families put food on the table but they want to know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely,” Concannon said. “These grants will help increase efficiency at the local level.”</p>
<p>Priorities for 2016 funding include proposals that:</p>
<ul><li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Improve customer service</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Examine office processes through Business Process Reengineering (BPR)</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Use data analytics to inform improvements to local office procedures</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Enhance case management practices</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Employ mobile technology</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Develop infrastructure to support partnerships</li>
</ul><p>The entities eligible to apply include state and local agencies that administer SNAP, state or local governments, agencies providing health or welfare services, public health or educational entities, and private non-profit entities, such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations.</p>
<p>Some past recipients of this grant include:</p>
<ul><li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Florida Department of Children and Families, Economic Self‐Sufficiency – The department used its grant to purchase scan station software with Optical Character Recognition and reporting capabilities, allowing staff to spend less time on data entry and process applications more quickly.  The state also implemented an interactive video component of their online portal to improve access for deaf and hard of hearing applicants using American Sign Language, as well as those with limited capacity to read in English.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Oklahoma Department of Human Resources – Oklahoma’s Department of Human Resources improved the quality and efficiency of their application process and reduced wait times by enhancing technology for staff and clients using mobile devices which can be used in the office as well as on-location at disaster recovery centers.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Oregon Department of Human Services - The department expanded the Employment and Training (E&amp;T) services in three new geographic locations, with four project partners, to provide services to veterans, military service members, and Native Americans. Project services will include assessments, GED completion, job search training, work experience, E&amp;T resources, job search, work experience, and job retention.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Steuben County Department of Social Services (NY) - Steuben County Department of Social Services increased access within a rural county by placing additional workstations in offices across the county. These work stations will increase program access, reduce application errors, prevent loss and/or damage of original documents, and improve timeliness.</li>
</ul><p>The three-year grants will be announced no later than Sept. 30, 2016. For more information please see the Request for Application on <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>.</p>
<p>Today’s announcement comes as part of USDA’s efforts, during National Nutrition Month, to highlight the <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results">results of our efforts</a> to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans, and support the health of our next generation.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="/snap" target="_blank">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include <a href="/wic" target="_blank">Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" target="_blank">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="/sfsp" target="_blank">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" target="_blank" title="USDA Food and Nutrition Service">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p align="center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:14:34 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"637100 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:28;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"Farm to School Programs Invest Nearly $800 Million in Local Economies";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/006616";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6704:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Survey Results Show Major Increase in Local Food Purchasing on the Local, State, and National Levels</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0066.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-03-15T00:00:00-04:00">03/15/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 15, 2016 – Schools across the United States purchased $789 million in local foods from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers in school year 2013 – 2014, according to results from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm to School Census released today. That represents a 105 percent increase over the 2011-2012 school year when the first census was conducted, signifying the deepening commitment of schools nationwide to bring local food into the cafeteria and strengthen their local economies.</p>
<p>"An investment in the health of America's students through farm to school programming is also an investment in the health of local economies," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Nearly half of schools report that they intend to buy even more local foods in future school years, indicating that farm to school programs will continue helping our children and our communities flourish."</p>
<p>Schools report that farm to school programs can increase the number of students purchasing school breakfast and lunch, improve consumption of healthier foods at school, and reduce plate waste. The programs are often also heavily focused on nutrition education, helping teach children where their food comes from and exposing them to lessons about healthy eating. The census data show that school gardens, which can be both teaching tools and a sources of fresh produce, have nearly tripled over the past two years.</p>
<p>At the national level, 42 percent of school districts that responded to the census are operating farm to school programs as of the 2014-2015 school year, and another 16 percent – more than 2,000 districts – have plans to start in the future. The census results show that farm to school programs exist in every state in large and small, rural and urban schools alike. These schools are incorporating local foods throughout the day including school lunch, school breakfast, supper programs, and/or snacks.</p>
<p>The newly updated <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School Census website</a> allows users to find information about farm to school programs in their state and in their particular school or district. The site also names three top school districts in each state that boast higher than average investment in local food purchasing. In addition, users can vote for a school that they believe administers a creative, innovative, and/or exemplary farm to school program for the "One in a Melon" award. Nominations will be accepted through April 15.</p>
<p>In order to establish realistic goals with regard to increasing the availability of local foods in schools, USDA conducted the first nationwide Farm to School Census in 2013. USDA conducted a second Farm to School Census in 2015 to measure progress towards reaching this goal. In 2015, USDA surveyed over 18,000 public, private and charter school districts and 12,585 school districts responded for a response rate of approximately 70percent. Data were collected through an online survey and through a printable mail-in questionnaire. To view the full results, visit <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p>Farm to School is part of the Office of Community Food Systems and is one of many initiatives of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) aimed at improving the health of our next generation. FNS administers America's fifteen nutrition assistance programs, including, but not limited to, the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
<p>The Farm to School program is a core element of the USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative</a>, which coordinates USDA's work to support local and regional food systems. F2S Census data and F2S grant award information is available on the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdamedia?navid=kyf-compass-map">KYF2 Compass Map</a>, which identifies USDA investments in local foods and is updated regularly to reflect new information.</p>
<p>Over the past seven years, USDA has enhanced federal nutrition programs, providing a critical safety net for millions of American children and families. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation. March is National Nutrition Month. Throughout the month, USDA will be highlighting results in improving nutrition and reducing food insecurity at <a href="http://www.medium.com/usda-results" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">www.medium.com/usda-results</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 16 Mar 2016 11:29:38 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"636865 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:29;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:96:"USDA Announces Grants to Support Strategies to Reduce Child Food Insecurity in Rural Communities";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/006016";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9428:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0060.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-03-09T00:00:00-05:00">03/09/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">WASHINGTON, March 9, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the USDA Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center at the University of Kentucky awarded $1.3 million in grants to help reduce child food insecurity in 17 rural communities. The funding, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, will help these rural communities implement creative strategies to improve access to federal nutrition assistance for families and children. Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during a panel discussion on the current state of food and nutrition in America hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">"Children living in persistently poor rural areas tend to experience worse outcomes in terms of nutrition, activity, and obesity," said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Despite their critical role in our economy, too many Americans in rural areas are not sharing in our nation's economic growth and, in turn, their children have also been disproportionately affected. These grants will make it possible for children in these areas to access much-needed nutrition assistance and help close the large food insecurity gap between urban and rural communities."</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">According to the USDA Economic Research Service, one-fourth (25.2 percent) of children in rural areas were considered poor in 2014, compared to about one-fifth (21.1 percent) of urban children. Thriving rural communities are vital to the future of our nation. They provide the vast majority of food, energy, and environmental benefits to the rest of the country; are the source of nearly 90 percent of renewable water resources; and are home to important service sector and manufacturing hubs.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">In an effort to bridge this gap for rural children, grantees will use their funds to develop programs and processes that help communities better coordinate existing child nutrition programs and create solutions to target child food insecurity in order to make it easier for children to assistance. For example, <b>Fulton County Schools in Kentucky</b> recognizes that transportation is a barrier for area families. The organization plans to create a mobile system to deliver meals to congregate meal sites in high need areas throughout the county as part of the agency's summer meal program. Summer meal programs funded by the USDA provided meals to students in low-income areas during the summer months when schools are not in session and those students lose access to free and reduced priced meals at school.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">Other grantee project examples include:</p>
<ul style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; clear: both; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 35px; float: left; width: 670px; line-height: normal;"><li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; list-style-type: none; margin: 3px 10px 3px 20px; padding-left: 15px; display: block; background-image: url(&quot;/img/bullets/list_but_2.gif&quot;); background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat;"><b>Crisp County Community Council (Georgia):</b> The Crisp County Community Council plans to expand the number of summer meal program sites in their community in order to provide more foods to children during summer months when school meal service is absent. The council will also reach out to families with children to increase their awareness of other food assistance programs.</li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; list-style-type: none; margin: 3px 10px 3px 20px; padding-left: 15px; display: block; background-image: url(&quot;/img/bullets/list_but_2.gif&quot;); background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat;"><b>Summit School District #54-6 (South Dakota):</b> The Summit School District will expand its backpack program to ensure students have access to food when school is not in session. The district will also partner with churches and other nonprofits to implement the summer meal program.</li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; list-style-type: none; margin: 3px 10px 3px 20px; padding-left: 15px; display: block; background-image: url(&quot;/img/bullets/list_but_2.gif&quot;); background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat;"><b>Texas Hunger Initiative (THI) at Baylor University:</b> THI will develop and support the formation of Child Food Security Stakeholder Councils to recruit new afterschool program sponsors, increase the operating capacity of current child nutrition program sponsors, and increase the availability of school breakfast.</li>
</ul><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">For a full list of grantees and project proposals visit: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/usda-rural-child-poverty-nutrition-center-grants-2016" id="anch_123" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 153);" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">http://www.fns.usda.gov/usda-rural-child-poverty-nutrition-center-grants-2016</a></p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">In 2015, USDA selected the University of Kentucky to create the Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center, which will administer and evaluate the grants awarded today.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">This initiative is part of USDA's commitment to growing economies, increasing investments, and creating opportunities in poverty-stricken rural communities. Nearly 85 percent of America's persistent-poverty counties are in rural areas. Through the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE" id="anch_124" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 153);">USDA StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity</a>, USDA has supported partnerships and projects in over 700 persistent-poverty counties, parishes, boroughs, Colonias and tribal reservations.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">Over the past seven years, USDA has enhanced federal nutrition programs, providing a critical safety net for millions of American children and families. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">March is National Nutrition Month. Throughout the month, USDA will be highlighting results in improving nutrition and reducing food insecurity at <a href="http://www.medium.com/usda-results" id="anch_125" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 153);" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">www.medium.com/usda-results</a></p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">##</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 3px 15px 7px; clear: both; line-height: normal;">USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:47:13 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"636418 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:30;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:108:"USDA Celebrates 50 Years of School Breakfast, Offers $6.8 Million in Grants to Support Healthy School Meals ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/005816";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6909:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0058.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-03-07T00:00:00-05:00">03/07/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON D.C. March 7, 2016 – As schools around the county take part in School Breakfast Week celebrations this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) commemorates the 50th anniversary of its School Breakfast Program by shining a light on the positive impacts of school breakfast. Over the course of this administration, participation in school breakfast programs has increased by almost 27 percent; over 14 million students are now eating school breakfast each day. To help support the ongoing success of the School Breakfast Program and other child nutrition programs, Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon announced today that USDA will award up to $6.8 million in competitive Team Nutrition Training Grants to help schools and child care sites sustain the successful implementation of the healthier meals made possible by the bipartisan Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010.</p>
<p>"As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the School Breakfast Program, we reflect on the great strides the program has made in strengthening the health and nutrition of children in America. The School Breakfast Program allows millions of students to start their day with a well-balanced breakfast, which, in turn, is linked to better performance in the classroom, better attendance, and better health," said Concannon.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19166666" id="anch_123" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Research using USDA data</a> found that students with access to school breakfast tend to have a better overall diet and a lower body mass index (BMI) than did nonparticipants. Other research has shown that students who consume breakfast make greater strides on standardized tests, pay attention and behave better in class, and are less frequently tardy, absent or visiting the nurse's office. School breakfast is especially important for teens, who are less likely to eat breakfast than other age groups, and lower income students who may be at risk of food insecurity.</p>
<p>USDA has been committed to ensuring that students around the country can enjoy the benefits of school breakfast by helping schools implement and enhance their school breakfast programs. USDA has also worked with schools to encourage the use of the Community Eligibility Provision, a cost-sharing agreement that allows high-poverty schools to serve both breakfast and lunch each school day at no cost to the student. Subsequently, the reach of the School Breakfast Program has rapidly increased over the past seven years. More than 14 million children participated in school breakfast during the last school year, an increase of nearly 3 million, since the beginning of the administration. In fact, last year over 2.3 billion breakfasts were served by more than 90,000 schools and child care sites.</p>
<p>School Breakfast Week is celebrated in the midst of National Nutrition Month, commemorated each March. Throughout the month, USDA is <a href="https://medium.com/usda-results" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">highlighting the results of our efforts</a> to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans and supporting the health of our next generation. For example, since the updated school nutrition standards were implemented in school year 2013-14, school breakfasts are healthier than ever before, including a serving of fruit, whole-grain-rich grains, and low fat or fat free milk.</p>
<p>The Team Nutrition grants announced today aim to continue the advancement of the child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast Program. "The $6.8 million in grant funds USDA is offering to support school breakfast and other child nutrition programs demonstrates our commitment to providing schools and child care sites the resources and support they need to help kids start their day off right and continue strong all day long," said Concannon.</p>
<p>USDA's Team Nutrition initiative provides technical assistance, training, and nutrition education resources for schools and child care providers participating in USDA's child nutrition programs. Grants through this program are intended to conduct and evaluate training, nutrition education, and technical assistance activities to support the implementation of USDA nutrition standards for snacks and meals, like school breakfast. For more information on the request for grant applications as well as summaries of activities conducted by previous grantees, visit <a href="/tn/team-nutrition-training-grants" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">team-nutrition-training-grants</a>.</p>
<p>The School Breakfast Program is one of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service's 15 nutrition assistance programs, which also include the <a href="/cnd/lunch/" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" id="anch_127" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a>, the <a href="http://wic.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children</a> (WIC), and <a href="/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>. Together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 07 Mar 2016 15:08:25 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"636278 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:31;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:75:"USDA Selects Ten States for Job-Driven SNAP Employment and Training Project";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/005616";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6282:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0056.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-03-02T00:00:00-05:00">03/02/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 2, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that 10 states have been selected to take part in SNAP to Skills, a first-of-its-kind, peer-to-peer effort to help state agencies design improved employment and training programs for adults participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in order to help them find employment and ultimately move off the SNAP program.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">"Fortunately, the economy is improving in most areas of the country, but it is still very challenging for people with limited education or more basic job skills to secure full time work and better paying jobs," said Vilsack. "Helping SNAP recipients move off the program due to higher job earnings produces a double win for the individual household and for the economy as a whole."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">States selected for SNAP to Skills include: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee. In October 2015, USDA announced that the Seattle Jobs Initiative would create an intensive technical assistance program to help states to build better, stronger Employment and Training (E&amp;T) programs. These 10 states were chosen to participate based on their existing level of commitment and interest in expanding the SNAP E&amp;T program, their ability to build effective partnerships with local training providers, and the availability of strong, job-driven workforce development programs in the state. The project will last two years, ending in September 2017.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">E&amp;T programs may include job search training, education activities (including basic skills training, English language learning, vocational training, postsecondary education), self-employment or on-the-job training, and job retention services.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">The Seattle Jobs Initiative has a long-standing history of providing technical assistance in SNAP Employment and Training. The organization was a critical partner in building Washington State's Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET), a leading employment and training program.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">SNAP E&amp;T is a critical tool in each state's workforce development system that can provide employer-valued skills training to low-income, low-skilled Americans. SNAP E&amp;T can help unemployed workers get back on their feet and can offer workers in low-wage jobs additional skills training to advance in their careers.</span></p>
<p>With two-third of jobs created over the next decade expected to require at least some education or training beyond high school, expanding access to education and training for SNAP participants who have limited skills or earn low wages is critical to helping participants transition into economic self-sufficiency.</p>
<p>In March 2015, USDA announced the launch of 10 separate long-term <a href="/pressrelease/2015/007115" id="anch_123" target="_blank" title="Opens in new window.">SNAP E&amp;T pilots</a>, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill, to test and study innovative strategies that will run concurrently and in addition to the SNAP to Skills Project.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">As the nation's first line of defense against hunger, SNAP helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month and has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP helps many hard-working Americans supplement their family's nutrition and to make ends meet. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 46 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, nine percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings. In 2014, SNAP kept at least 4.7 million people, including nearly 2.1 million children, out of poverty.</span></p>
<p>Over the past seven years, USDA has enhanced federal nutrition programs, providing a critical safety net for millions of American children and families. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation. March is National Nutrition Month. Throughout the month, USDA will be highlighting results in improving nutrition and reducing food insecurity at <a href="http://www.medium.com/usda-results" id="anch_124" target="_blank" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">www.medium.com/usda-results</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">#</span></p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:07:38 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"636104 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:32;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:135:"USDA Improves the WIC Shopping Experience to Better Serve our Nation’s Low-Income, New and Expecting Mothers and Their Young Children";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/005316";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6513:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0053.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-02-29T00:00:00-05:00">02/29/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 2016 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a major step to make it easier for participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to access nutritious foods. The WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Final Rule will improve the shopping experience for WIC participants by requiring states to transition from paper benefits to EBT systems by Oct. 1, 2020, as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Secretary Vilsack made this announcement during a speech at the 2016 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, hosted by the Food Research &amp; Action Center and Feeding America, in Washington, DC. The Secretary was joined at the conference by Dorothy McAuliffe, First Lady of Virginia and a champion of child nutrition programs. Virginia is one of 12 states and 4 tribal nations that have already competed the transition to EBT for distributing WIC benefits.</p>
<p>“USDA’s WIC Program has a longstanding history of improving the health of low-income women, infants and children at nutritional risk,” said Vilsack. “EBT is widely recognized as the optimal method of food benefit delivery, allowing WIC participants to shop conveniently and check out confidently. This final rule is one of many ways we continue to collaborate with states and other stakeholders to significantly improve the delivery of WIC benefits and protect the integrity of the program.”</p>
<p>WIC EBT is an electronic system that replaces paper food checks or vouchers with a card - similar to an ATM or debit card - that is used for food benefit issuance and redemption at authorized WIC stores. In Fiscal Year 2016, Congress appropriated $220 million help state agencies fully fund the transition from paper benefits to EBT.  This ensures WIC can continue providing quality nutrition services while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery.  USDA will continue to work closely with state agencies to support them throughout the implementation process.  </p>
<p>The transition from paper benefits to EBT systems allows WIC participants to shop for items as needed rather than requiring them to purchase all items in one trip or lose the remaining benefits. Implementing EBT will also reduce checkout times and potential stigma associated with using food benefits.  Additionally, WIC participants will no longer need to separate their WIC foods from their other grocery items.</p>
<p>Switching to statewide EBT will also strengthen the management and integrity of the WIC program by providing USDA and state agencies with previously unavailable data on the type, amount, and cost of foods purchased with WIC benefits. In addition, this final rule will significantly decrease the time and cost of processing payments for both vendors and the program. </p>
<p>Approximately half of all infants in the U.S. participate in WIC. The program provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education (including breastfeeding promotion and support), and referrals to health and other social services to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. Services are made available through approximately 1,900 local agencies and 10,000 clinic sites. Forty-five thousand authorized stores offer healthy WIC foods to participants. More information about the WIC program can be found at <a href="/WIC">www.fns.usda.gov/WIC</a>.</p>
<p>The WIC EBT announcement is just one way that USDA is helping Americans access healthy foods.  USDA has also recently issued a retailer standards proposed rule that will ensure stores that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stock a wider array of food choices. In addition, USDA is conducting a pilot to explore home delivery of groceries to homebound elderly and disabled SNAP participants. </p>
<p>Today’s announcement comes on the eve of National Nutrition Month.  Throughout March, USDA will be highlighting results of our efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans and supporting the health of our next generation. For example, since the program revised its food package in 2014, WIC has been providing participants heathier food choices to meet their needs during critical periods of growth and development.</p>
<p>WIC is one of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s 15 nutrition assistance programs, which also include the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp">National School Lunch Program</a>, <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a>, and <a href="/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>.  Together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">##</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at <a href="tel:(866)%20632-9992">(866) 632-9992</a>(English) or <a href="tel:(800)%20877-8339">(800) 877-8339</a> (TDD)or <a href="tel:(866)%20377-8642">(866) 377-8642</a> (English Federal-relay) or <a href="tel:(800)%20845-6136">(800) 845-6136</a> (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:20:43 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"636013 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:33;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:87:"USDA Proposes Policies to Improve Food Access, Healthy Choices for Low-income Americans";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/004516";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5896:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0045.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-02-16T00:00:00-05:00">02/16/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced a proposed rule designed to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants increased access to healthy foods by requiring stores that accept SNAP to stock a wider array of food choices.</p>
<p>"USDA is committed to expanding access for SNAP participants to the types of foods that are important to a healthy diet," Concannon said. "This proposed rule ensures that retailers who accept SNAP benefits offer a variety of products to support healthy choices for those participating in the program."</p>
<p>The 2014 Farm Bill required USDA to develop regulations to ensure that stores that accept SNAP offer a broader variety of healthy food choices. The stocking provisions in the proposed rule would require SNAP-authorized retail establishments to offer a larger inventory and variety of healthy food options so that recipients have access to more healthy food choices. SNAP retailers would be required to offer seven varieties of qualifying foods in four staple food groups for sale on a continuous basis, along with perishable foods in at least three of the four staple food groups. The staple foods groups are dairy products; breads and cereals; meats, poultry and fish; and fruits and vegetables. In addition, the proposal calls for retailers to stock at least six units within each variety, leading to a total of at least 168 required food items per store.</p>
<p>This proposed rule is one of many ways USDA is working to expand access to healthy foods for SNAP recipients. USDA has piloted the use of incentives to purchase healthy foods at point of sale in various venues, including farmers markets and small groceries where the incentive provided for additional purchase of local produce. The 2014 farm bill provided $100 million for Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grants to expand this effort, which USDA awarded to grantees in the spring and fall of 2015. USDA has also worked to increase SNAP participants' access to farmers markets and direct marketing farmers, resulting in over 6,000 authorized locations – an eight-fold increase since the beginning of this administration.</p>
<p>USDA is working to ensure that access to food retailers is not hindered for SNAP participants as a result of this rule. Comments and suggestions on the proposed rule are encouraged to help USDA determine when, where, and if any flexibility should be provided to prevent reductions in SNAP client food access.</p>
<p>The proposed rule also underscores USDA's authority under the Food and Nutrition Act to publicly disclose information about SNAP retailers disqualified or sanctioned for program violations. Information to be disclosed under provisions of the proposed rule would be limited to the name and address of the store, the owners' and officers' names, and the nature of the violation for which the retailer was sanctioned.</p>
<p>"SNAP violations are a serious matter," Concannon said. "Public disclosure of this information is intended to serve as a deterrent against retailer fraud. The information would provide the public with insight into the integrity of these businesses and individuals."</p>
<p>As the nation's first line of defense against hunger, SNAP helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month and is critical in the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budgets of about 45 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, 10 percent are elderly and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>SNAP plays an important role in reducing both poverty and food insecurity in the United States—especially among children. SNAP is an effective and efficient health intervention for low-income families with a positive impact on children beginning before birth and lasting beyond childhood years, improving health, education, and economic outcomes. Over 260,000 retailers nationwide are currently authorized to redeem SNAP benefits.</p>
<p>Comments on the proposed rule will be received for 60 (calendar) days. For more information see the <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/02/17/2016-03006/enhancing-retailer-standards-in-the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Federal Register Notice</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 16 Feb 2016 20:06:16 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"635129 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:34;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:91:"Fact Sheet: USDA Assistance to Residents Affected by the Water Emergency in Flint, Michigan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/003816";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9208:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0038.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact: Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-02-10T00:00:00-05:00">02/10/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>USDA is committed to assisting residents affected by the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. While the water emergency in Flint remains primarily a public health crisis addressed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USDA is committed to using all resources available to assist in the response and to provide relief to those affected by the water contamination. To date, USDA has provided the following assistance:</p>
<p><b>Food and Nutrition</b></p>
<p>In February 2016, USDA provided temporary approval of a request by Michigan to use WIC funds for lead testing costs on a time-limited basis. This flexibility will enable approximately 3,800 low-income infants, children, and pregnant or post-partum women to have access to lead screening tests at WIC clinics.</p>
<p>Also, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) confirmed that vendors at the Flint Farmers Market are authorized to accept SNAP benefits and offer target foods high in Vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Market staff are promoting SNAP, SNAP-education materials, and working with a pediatric clinic on site to issue vouchers to purchase nutritious foods from the market.</p>
<p>In the affected Flint area, there are at least 28 schools, serving over 144,000 students, which are eligible to adopt a provision in the National School Lunch Program ensuring universal access to healthy food for all children in the school. USDA will work in collaboration with the state of Michigan to help as many eligible schools as possible adopt he Community Eligibility Provision. This provision is targeted at high-poverty schools and has proven successful in ensuring more kids benefit from nutritious school meals.</p>
<p>In January 2016, USDA approved the Michigan Department of Education's request for additional funds totaling $62,700 through the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost to students in eligible schools. These funds, along with practical technical assistance on menu planning strategies, is designed to aid schools in identifying and incorporating more foods high in vitamin C, calcium, and iron that can help reduce lead levels in the body.</p>
<p>USDA, working with state and local officials, provided a list of items available through USDA Foods that are rich in Vitamin C, iron, and calcium. USDA Foods are healthy, high quality, 100 percent American-produced foods distributed to schools, food banks and other meal service providers to help stretch tight budgets and feed millions of Americans in need every year. This list will help MDE, the state administering agency for USDA's TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program), manage its inventory and deliver USDA Foods high in the targeted nutrients to the Flint food bank. The Flint food bank will then distribute the USDA Foods to their member food pantries, soup kitchens and other agencies.</p>
<p>In October 2015, USDA waived the National School Lunch Program requirement that schools make available potable tap water at school meal service, instead allowing schools to provide bottled water.</p>
<p>Since then, the local health department has been providing WIC participants with free water filters.</p>
<p>Since September 2015, USDA has allowed mothers of non-breastfed infants to use Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits for ready-to-feed infant formula, which does not need to be mixed with water. USDA also allowed participants to swap previously acquired powdered formula for ready-to-feed formula. The 7,585 Flint residents participating in the WIC program (including 1,527 women, 1,792 infants, and 4,266 children) are being offered water filters, and other supportive services as well as nutrition education on mitigating lead absorption through dietary changes.</p>
<p>WIC foods currently provide good sources of calcium, iron and Vitamin C, nutrients that have been shown to help protect children's bodies from lead poisoning. Additionally, the WIC cash value voucher can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C and calcium.</p>
<p><b>Nutrition Education</b></p>
<p>USDA continues coordinating nutrition education efforts in Flint among the state administered USDA FNS program providers, community-based partner organizations and farmers' markets on important foods to consume to mitigate lead absorption. This education information ensures local schools and child care and day care operators serving meals under USDA programs continue to provide children the healthiest possible meals and share information with parents about preparing meals at home.</p>
<p>SNAP Nutrition Education (SNAP-Ed) programs and SNAP-authorized farmers markets help disseminate nutrition guidance about how to optimize participants' diets. To date, SNAP-Ed has distributed over 10,000 copies of nutrition and lead resources in the Flint area. Additional booklets are being printed, with revised recipes for the next wave of distribution, as well as, a Spanish version. This information captures not only the target foods to mitigate lead absorption but also provides helpful information on other food resources for Flint residents.</p>
<p>Michigan State University (MSU) Cooperative Extension, partially funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is providing an educational response to the situation in Flint, MI. The state's extension system currently has 12 full-time employees in Flint and is leading the University wide response to the crisis, which includes MSU's College of Medicine and others. To date, the MSU Cooperative Extension has provided research based on how to eat healthy to prevent lead poisoning, including a diet with higher calcium, iron, and vitamin C <a href="http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/eat_healthy_to_prevent_lead_poisoning" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/eat_healthy_to_prevent_lead_poisoning</a>); modified its nutrition and cooking classes to feature foods high in these nutrients and developed educational materials mitigating risk from irrigated and non-irrigated home gardens; <a href="http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/what_to_do_if_you_suspect_lead_poisoning_in_your_domesticated_pets" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">guidance for domesticated pet owners if they suspect lead poisoning</a>; and <a href="http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/lead_poisoning_explore_the_basics_facts" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">general information about lead poisoning</a>.</p>
<p>Using the College's existing relationships with the grower community, Cooperative Extension supported the Michigan Milk Producers Association and Kroger Co., with donating and shipping 12,000 gallons of milk into the city of Flint. MSU also is working with vegetable growers to ship additional vegetables containing high calcium, iron, and vitamin C into the city. Cooperative Extension is an integral part of the Flint Downtown Farmers Market, which is serving as a hub not only for produce but also health and nutrition extension education.</p>
<p><b>Food Safety</b></p>
<p>The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspects four federally regulated establishments in the Flint, Michigan area. FSIS assessed these establishments and found no potential public health impact. USDA continues to monitor the situation. As part of standard USDA food safety surveillance activities, the FSIS Eastern Laboratory in Athens, Georgia routinely tests for lead in meat. All meat and poultry products that have been produced in any of the Flint area establishments continue to be safe and wholesome for consumer consumption.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 10 Feb 2016 18:29:12 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"634827 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:35;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:153:"USDA to Temporarily Allow WIC Funds to be Used for Lead Testing for Flint-Area WIC Recipients, Announces Other Measures to Expand Access to Healthy Foods";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/003716";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7709:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Deputy Under Secretary Wilson Visits Flint, Discusses Ongoing USDA Efforts to Respond to Lead Crisis</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0037.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-02-10T00:00:00-05:00">02/10/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>FLINT, Mich., Feb. 10, 2016 – As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ongoing efforts to support residents in Flint, Mich., Dr. Kathryn Wilson, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services today announced that USDA will temporarily allow Michigan to use WIC funds to conduct lead testing for WIC participants. An estimated 3,800 WIC participants could potentially be tested as a result of this action.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">The announcement came as Wilson visited a WIC clinic and elementary school in Michigan to discuss how residents can access USDA programs to help mitigate the ill effects of the city's water crisis on their health and wellbeing. USDA is supporting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the state and local governments in providing relief to those affected by the water contamination.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Wilson also announced two measures to expand access to healthy foods that could mitigate the impacts of lead on children. In the affected Flint area, at least 28 schools, serving over 144,000 students, are eligible to adopt a program known as the Community Eligibility Provision that ensures universal access to school meals for all children in the school. CEP is targeted at high-poverty schools and has proven successful in ensuring more kids benefit from nutritious school meals. USDA will work in collaboration with Michigan to help as many eligible schools as possible adopt this provision.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">In addition, Wilson announced that USDA recently expanded eligibility for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children program to include areas experiencing extreme circumstances, such as Flint. Priority for expanding summer EBT was previously focused solely on rural areas. The program delivers EBT nutrition assistance benefits to families who have children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. These benefits provide families with needed assistance in purchasing healthy foods for their children in the summer months when school meals are not served. Michigan must submit an initial application by Friday for Flint to participate in the program.</span></p>
<p>"The programs of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service are there to help because they're a vital source of nutrition for children, infants, and adults," said Wilson. "Our goal is simple: to encourage folks to maximize the healthy foods they have available in order to mitigate the effects of lead. We're working in partnership with other federal agencies to make every possible resource available to help. We encourage people affected by this crisis to visit <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5527---,00.html" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">the local health department</a> to find out what nutrition programs they may be eligible for that could help."</p>
<p>FNS has been working with state agencies in Michigan to address the lead crisis since September 2015. The agency has been working closely with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to address the effects of the crisis through the school meals programs, and with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide assistance through the WIC program. Some of the most recent actions include:</p>
<ul><li>On January 25, FNS approved the state's request for $62,700 in additional funding to expand the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to more eligible schools, providing additional fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost to students. The additional funding, along with practical technical assistance on menu planning strategies, is designed to aid schools in identifying and incorporating more foods high in vitamin C, calcium, and iron that can help reduce lead levels in the body.</li>
<li>Mothers of formula-fed infants participating in WIC have been given the option to receive ready-to-feed formula instead of the standard powdered formula. In addition, the 7,585 Flint residents participating in the WIC program (including 1,527 women, 1,792 infants, and 4,266 children) are being offered water filters, and other supportive services.</li>
<li>FNS is also currently working with the state on a request for additional support through USDA Foods, to provide targeted items that could aid in mitigating the effects of lead absorption, via Disaster Household Distribution through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).</li>
<li>Through its Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition education, and its support for food banks, FNS is leveraging partnerships with community-based organizations and farmers markets to increase nutrition education efforts on how healthy food may help mitigate lead absorption.</li>
</ul><p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">For more information about USDA's support for those affected by the Flint lead crisis, please visit our </span><a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&amp;contentid=2016/02/0038.xml" id="anch_125" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Flint Fact Sheet</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, together, comprise America's nutrition safety net. They include school lunch and breakfast, WIC, TEFAP, CNAP, CACFP, summer meals programs, and more. For more information, visit </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_126" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">#</span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </span></em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 10 Feb 2016 20:33:23 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"634852 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:36;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:128:"USDA, NFL, Fuel Up to Play 60 Partner to Award $35 Million to Help Schools Serve Healthier Meals, Strengthen Childhood Nutrition";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/003416";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11602:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Grants Will Improve Food Service Equipment, Upgrade Infrastructure Critical to Building Healthy Schools and Communities </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0034.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-02-05T00:00:00-05:00">02/05/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p style="text-align: right;">Office of Communications (202)-720-4623<br /><a href="mailto:press@oc.usda.gov?subject=NSLP%20Food%20Service%20Equipment%20Grants">press@oc.usda.gov</a><br />Fuel Up to Play 60/GENYOUth:<br />Christina Marion (847) 627-3207<br /><a href="mailto:Christina.Marion@dairy.org?subject=NSLP%20Food%20Service%20Equipment%20Grants">Christina.Marion@dairy.org</a></p>
<p>SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 5, 2016 – Amid pre-Super Bowl 50 celebrations today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, and Paul Rovey, dairy farmer and leader of the National Dairy Council (NDC), announced the availability of $35 million in grants to help schools upgrade their kitchen equipment and infrastructure in order to offer students better access to nutritious foods.</p>
<p>Three in five students – more than 30 million children – rely on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for one to two meals per day, however according to a 2014 survey, 88% of schools reported lacking at least one piece of equipment they needed in order to serve healthier foods . These grants will give millions of additional children access to more nutritious meals by providing schools with the funds to purchase additional equipment to help them meet updated <a href="/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">national nutrition standards</a>, and serve healthy meals with more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, and less sodium and fat.</p>
<p>In 2008, USDA, NFL, NDC, and GENYOUth partnered via <a href="http://www.fueluptoplay60.com/" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Fuel Up to Play 60</a>, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program to help encourage today's youth to lead healthier lives.</p>
<p>Together these partners share a commitment to support youth wellness through improved nutrition and by providing greater opportunities for physical activity through a public-private partnership to promote those behaviors among America's youth. This $35 million investment will help sustain the progress that has already been made by schools across the country to ensure that America's children are greeted by healthier school environments.</p>
<p>"Success at all ages begins with a healthy meal, and that is why at USDA we have worked to overhaul school meal standards to ensure kids have access to nutritious foods. This commitment from our partners will ensure schools have the equipment they need to provide kids with a well-balanced meal, promoting childhood health and wellness," said Vilsack. "We applaud our Fuel Up to Play 60 partners for their continued commitment to child nutrition. This collaboration enables us to expand our efforts and have a broader positive impact on our youth."</p>
<p>Since 2009, <a href="/sites/default/files/cn/NSLP-equipment-grants-2014-16.pdf" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">USDA has awarded $215 million in school nutrition equipment grants, including $30 million being announced today</a>. USDA provides this funding to states, which then competitively award grants to school districts in order to purchase necessary equipment, giving priority to high-need schools where 50 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced price meals. This year, Fuel Up to Play 60, who has provided more than $22 million in funds to schools throughout the country, is joining USDA's effort by providing an additional $5 million through a separate, but concurrent, grant application process.</p>
<p>Schools can apply for USDA funding through their state, or for funds from Fuel Up directly through the organization's website. In both cases, funding will support the purchase of new equipment and/or the renovation/replacement of equipment. Equipment may include large and small items including utility carts, utensils, large-capacity food processors, industrial scales, steamers, freezers etc. Infrastructure elements may include building needs related to physical space, electricity, plumbing, ventilation and other remodeling needs.</p>
<p>"This announcement not only helps further showcase our collective commitment to youth and community wellness, but also the powerful results that can be achieved through public-and-private partnerships," said Alexis Glick, CEO, GENYOUth. "I am excited that the USDA and the NFL continue to join with us and America's dairy farmers to positively impact today's, and tomorrow's youth by empowering them to live healthier lives."</p>
<p>Schools that are interested in learning more about these grants should visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp-equipment-assistance-grants" id="anch_127" target="_blank" title="Opens in new window.">http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp-equipment-assistance-grants</a>.</p>
<p>i Kids' Safe and Healthful Foods Project. "Give Schools the Tools to Prepare Healthy, Delicious Meals." Give Schools the Tools to Prepare Healthy, Delicious Meals. The Pew Charitable Trusts, July 2015. Web. 21 Jan. 2016.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">###</p>
<p><b>About U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)</b></p>
<p>Under the leadership of President Obama and Secretary Vilsack, USDA has made significant and transformative investments in the lives of Americans living, working and raising families in the United States. Today, those investments are blossoming across the United States in the burgeoning bio-economy, an exploding local and regional food system, unparalleled investments in renewable energy, improved nutrition interventions for young people and low-income individuals, historic partnerships in conservation and greenhouse gas reduction, major contributions in rural infrastructure, and helping to lay the foundation for a new era for civil rights that will help ensure all Americans are treated with dignity and respect. In the area of nutrition, since 2009, USDA has made significant progress in maximizing the ability of our nutrition programs to fight hunger and improve health, while also ensuring that benefits are delivered efficiently and with integrity. USDA's implementation of the historic, bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 has led to 97 percent of schools meeting updated, science-based nutrition standards for school meals, ensuring that more than 50 million children have access to a healthier school food environment.</p>
<p><b>About National Dairy Council (NDC)</b></p>
<p>For 100 years, National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization founded by dairy farmers and funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC comprises a staff of registered dietitians and nutrition research and communications experts across the country. NDC is dedicated to promoting child health and wellness through programs such as Fuel Up to Play 60. Developed by NDC and the National Football League (NFL), Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. See more at: <a href="http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org" id="anch_128">http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org</a>.</p>
<p><b>About GENYOUth</b></p>
<p>A leading nonprofit, GENYOUth brings leaders in health and wellness, education, government and business together in a movement to empower America's youth to achieve a healthier future by uniting partners, raising funds and uplifting the student voice. GENYOUth has established itself as a thought leader in youth health and wellness and collaborates with its partners to convene experts, conduct research, publish perspective reports, and build programs that make a lasting difference in the pursuit of healthy, high-achieving youth. Founded in 2010 through a public-private partnership with the National Dairy Council and the NFL, GENYOUth has raised funds, increased visibility and commitment to school wellness among health and wellness leaders, educators, students, parents, community leaders and businesses. Learn more about GENYOUth partnership, volunteer and donation opportunities at <a href="http://www.genyouthfoundation.org/" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">www.genyouthfoundation.org</a>, or contact us at <a href="mailto:info@genyouthfoundation.org" id="anch_130">info@genyouthfoundation.org</a>.</p>
<p><b>About Fuel Up to Play 60</b></p>
<p>Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), founded by America's dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. As a result of the program, 13 million students are making better food choices by selecting nutritious options like low-fat and fat-free dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, 16 million students are getting more physically active during the school day as a result of the program.</p>
<p>Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student contests. Visit <a href="https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/" id="anch_131" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">FuelUpToPlay60.com</a> to learn more.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 05 Feb 2016 18:01:34 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"634669 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:37;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:79:"USDA Kicks Off Expansion of the Team Up for School Nutrition Success Initiative";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000216";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5571:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">State Agencies Partner with USDA, Institute of Child Nutrition to Host Local Trainings</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0002.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-02-03T00:00:00-05:00">02/03/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2016 – Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced a second phase of expansion of the Team Up for School Nutrition Success (Team Up) initiative, ensuring continued support for schools working to serve school children nutritious meals nationwide. Building on the momentum of the seven regional trainings held in 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service joined with the Institute of Child Nutrition at the University of Mississippi to offer all state agencies the opportunity to host local events to provide tailored technical assistance, support, and best practices for schools in administering successful meals programs. These events commence today in Utah as school nutrition professionals gather for two days of tailored training and peer-to-peer mentorship. </p>
<p>“USDA remains committed to providing state agencies the tools they need to facilitate sustainable, nutritious, and delicious school meal programs and empowering schools to maximize the benefits of the school nutrition standards in their cafeteria,” said Concannon. “Expanding the reach of the Team Up for School Nutrition Success initiative will help ensure our nation’s children get the healthy start they deserve.”</p>
<p>The Team Up training uses a peer mentor-based model to cover topics like menu planning, financial management, procurement, and strategies to reduce plate waste. Participants have the opportunity to learn from each other and make positive strides toward successful, financially stable school meal programs. During the training, each attendee develops an individualized action plan with focused goals to achieve when they return to their respective programs.</p>
<p>The decision to further expand the Team Up initiative was based, in part, on the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from participants of the 2015 regional trainings. For example, Charlotte Davis of Arkansas stated, “It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and you want to do new things, so [the training] gave me a lot of new ideas to take back to my staff to see how much of this we can use.” After the training, participant Bruce Davis of Virginia said he could now, “feel good about what I’m doing and what I want to do.  [I can] go back and work on my goals.  I will be successful.”</p>
<p>Today’s training is taking place in Layton, UT and is the first of over 40 trainings expected to occur throughout 2016. State agencies that have not already scheduled training can still participate by contacting <a href="mailto:cnpntab@fns.usda.gov">cnpntab@fns.usda.gov</a>. The Team Up initiative also offers monthly webinars on topics similar to what is covered in the trainings which can be found at <a href="http://theicn.org/teamup%20">http://theicn.org/teamup</a>. </p>
<p>The Team Up for School Nutrition Success initiative is just one of many ways USDA helps schools successfully serve healthier meals. USDA also offers grants for <a href="/pressrelease/fns-0002-15">professional standards training</a>, <a href="/fy2015-nslp-equipment-assistance-grants-sfas">cafeteria equipment</a>, <a href="/farmtoschool/farm-school-grant-program">farm to school programs</a>, and more. To further enhance the school nutrition environment, USDA provides nutrition education materials and curricula through the <a href="/tn/team-nutrition">Team Nutrition</a> initiative.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America's nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, this includes the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).  Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"># </p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 03 Feb 2016 16:16:20 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"634573 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:38;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:60:"Firms Sought as Volunteers for SNAP Home Food Delivery Pilot";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/fns-000116";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4741:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0001.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-02-01T00:00:00-05:00">02/01/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking governmental or non-profit food purchasing and delivery firms to become SNAP authorized retailers for a one-year, nationwide pilot designed to improve grocery access for homebound elderly and disabled participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).</p>
<p>The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the definition of “retail food store” to include governmental or private nonprofit food purchasing and delivery services that purchase and deliver food to the homebound elderly or disabled.  Lessons learned during the pilot will help shape guidance issued with final regulations now in development that for the first time will permit governmental and non-profit food grocery purchasing and delivery services to accept SNAP benefits as payment, thus increasing the opportunities for home delivery to those unable to shop for food. Up to 20 food purchasing and delivery services will be selected for the pilot, based on a request for volunteers published today.</p>
<p>“Expanding access to home delivery will help ensure that homebound elderly and disabled SNAP participants have access to healthy foods,” said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon, noting that nearly one in five SNAP participants is either elderly or disabled.</p>
<p>Despite those statistics, Concannon said that seniors participate in SNAP nationwide participate at a much lower rate. Only 41 percent of eligible elderly individuals participate in SNAP, compared to 85 percent for all people who are eligible.</p>
<p>Home delivery is particularly important for seniors living in rural areas because America's rural population is older than the nation overall and rural seniors experience higher poverty than seniors nationwide, he said.</p>
<p>The 2014 Farm Bill contains several provisions allowing flexibilities for retailers on a pilot or preliminary basis, including the purchase and delivery pilot announced today as well as two other pilots that are still under development by the agency. One of those pilots will allow SNAP participants to buy groceries online, using their program benefits, while the other will allow for redemption of benefits through mobile devices.</p>
<p>Today’s request for volunteers complements a <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/07/0201.xml">proposed rule published last July</a> as part of <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/07/0202.xml">USDA’s efforts to support older Americans</a>.  For more information about the pilots or to review the proposed rule, <a href="/request-volunteers-food-purchasing-and-delivery-services">please visit the FNS website</a>.</p>
<p>As the nation's first line of defense against hunger, SNAP helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month and has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 45 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, 10 percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in a household where at least one of the adults is actively in the workforce.</p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p align="center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 01 Feb 2016 17:42:00 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"634440 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:39;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:87:"FACT SHEET: Obama Administration Announces Major Investments in Preventing Child Hunger";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/wh-012716";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:14688:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">WH 012716</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-01-27T00:00:00-05:00">01/27/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Today, the White House will host a conversation about child hunger in America, with experts and direct service providers discussing how hunger continues to harm children across the country. Participants will discuss the role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other core nutrition programs in ensuring American children have the fuel they need to thrive. The conversation will include SNAP recipients, academics, direct service providers, advocates, faith leaders, and federal, state, and local officials and will focus on the critical role of SNAP in reducing food insecurity and poverty, and the high-cost consequences when benefits are not enough to sustain a family to the end of the month.</p>
<p>The Obama Administration is dedicated to ensuring American children and families have the support they need to build a better future, especially when weathering life’s ups and downs, such as loss of a job, illness, or work that pays less than a livable wage. SNAP and other nutrition programs, like school meals, make a real and measurable difference in the lives of children and their families and provide a stronger future for the entire country. Building on its commitment to expanding access to opportunity for all, today the Obama Administration will announce additional actions to ensure American children have the food they need to grow, learn, and succeed.</p>
<p><strong>NEW FEDERAL ACTIONS</strong></p>
<p><strong>Ensuring all low-income children have year-round access to the food they need to learn and grow. </strong></p>
<p>The President’s FY2017 Budget will invest $12 billion over ten years to reduce child hunger during the summer through a permanent <a href="/sites/default/files/ops/FY17SEBTCBudgetFactSheet.pdf">Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) program</a> to provide supplemental food benefits during the summer months for all families with children eligible for free and reduced price school meals.  During the academic year, school meals help ensure consistent and adequate access to nutritious food for the nearly 22 million low-income children who receive free and reduced price school meals.  However, only a fraction of these children receive free and reduced price meals when school is out of session. As a result, low-income children are at higher risk of food insecurity and poor nutrition during the summer.  Summer EBT, which provides benefits on an electronic debit card that can only be used for food at the grocery store, fills the food budget gap in the summer; rigorous evaluations of USDA pilots of Summer EBT programs have found that they can significantly reduce food insecurity among children and improve their diet.</p>
<p><strong>Allowing States to use Medicaid data to automatically link low-income children to school meals.  </strong></p>
<p>USDA will announce a new initiative to increase access to school meals for low-income children through a project that will allow interested State agencies that administer the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to use Medicaid data to certify students for free and reduced priced lunches. This will link eligible children to nutritious school meals with less paperwork for the State, schools and families alike.  Interested states are invited to submit applications and USDA expects to approve approximately five States to begin the demonstrations during the upcoming school year (2016-2017), with additional states implementing the pilot in the subsequent years. USDA is committed to helping 20 States take up this pilot and begin implementing direct certification using Medicaid data over the next three school years.</p>
<p><strong>BUILDING ON RESEARCH DEMONSTRATING SNAP’S CRITICAL ROLE IN HELPING CHILDREN SUCCEED</strong></p>
<p>In 2014, nearly one in seven American households experienced food insecurity, meaning that one or more household members did not have a consistent source of adequate nutritious food.  Moreover, 40 percent of all food-insecure households—and nearly 6 percent of US households overall—were considered to have very low food security. This means that, in nearly seven million households, at least one person in the household missed meals and experienced disruptions in food intake due to insufficient resources for food.</p>
<p>A report released by the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) found that SNAP, the largest federal food and nutrition program, plays an essential role in reducing poverty and food insecurity, and significantly improves the health and wellbeing of low-income families. In 2014 SNAP lifted at least 4.7 million Americans out of poverty, including 2.1 million children, and today helps families across the nation to put food on the table while they work to improve their economic situation. Research shows that among households who receive SNAP, food insecurity rates are up to 30 percent lower than they otherwise would be. But in spite of SNAP’s success, hunger remains a stubborn problem, in part because for many benefits are inadequate to provide enough healthful food to children and families living on a tight budget.</p>
<p>New research cited in the CEA report has linked diminished food budgets at the end of each month to significant consequences, including:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>A drop-off in caloric intake among SNAP recipients, with estimates of this decline ranging from 10 to 25 percent over the course of the month;</li>
<li>A 27 percent increase in the rate of hospital admissions due to low blood sugar for low-income adults between the first and last week of the month;</li>
<li>An 11 percent increase in the rate of disciplinary actions among school children in SNAP households between the first and last week of the month;</li>
<li>Diminished student performance on standardized tests, with performance improving only gradually again after the next month’s benefits are received.</li>
</ul><p>Today’s event builds on this commitment to high quality research and will feature perspectives from leading food security and nutrition researchers on the critical role of SNAP in reducing food insecurity and poverty, as well as in improving long-run health, education, and economic outcomes. The panel members, and resources to learn more about their work, are provided below.  These resources are provided for informational purposes only and their inclusion does not indicate endorsement by, or the official views of, the U.S. Government:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li><em>Dr. Hilary Hoynes</em>, Professor of Public Policy and Economics, Haas Distinguished Chair in Economic Disparities, Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California Berkeley:  Dr. Hoynes has reviewed the role that SNAP plays in reducing poverty and food insecurity in the U.S. and examined the degree to which the program helps to buffer the impact of recessions and stagnating wages.  More information on Dr. Hoynes’ research is available <a href="http://gspp.berkeley.edu/assets/uploads/research/pdf/Hoynes_Why_SNAP_Matters_1-25-16.pdf">HERE</a>.</li>
<li><em>Dr. Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach</em>, Faculty Fellow, Institute for Policy Research Associate Professor, Human Development and Social Policy, Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy, Chicago, IL; Director of the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution:  Dr. Schanzenbach, along with her coauthor, Hilary Hoynes, has studied the extent to which SNAP acts as an investment in children’s long term outcomes and its payoff for both recipients and taxpayers.  More information on Dr. Schanzenbach’s research is available <a href="http://www.ipr.northwestern.edu/publications/policy-briefs">HERE</a>.</li>
<li><em>Dr. Adam Drewnowski</em>, Director, Nutritional Sciences Program, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA: Dr. Drewnowski has written about the relationship between diet quality and food cost, including whether inadequate food budgets pose a significant barrier to the adoption of nutrient-adequate diets.  More information on Dr. Drewnowski’s research is available <a href="http://www.cphn.org/documents/White_House_issues_brief_ADrewnowski_2016.pdf">HERE</a>.</li>
<li> D<em>r. Hilary Seligman</em>, Associate Professor, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA; Lead Scientist, Feeding America: Dr. Seligman has summarized research on the connections between food insecurity and health, highlighting some of the medical costs that result from insufficient food budgets.  More information on Dr. Seligman’s research is available <a href="http://cvp.ucsf.edu/resources/Seligman_Issues_Brief_1.24.16.pdf">HERE</a>.</li>
<li><em>Dr. Parke Wilde</em>, Associate Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Medford, MA.  Dr. Wilde has reviewed recent research on initiatives that enhance SNAP and other benefits to improve recipient households’ success in achieving a high-quality diet, including USDA’s Summer EBT demonstration and the Healthy Incentives Pilot.  More information on Dr. Wilde’s research is available <a href="http://www.nutrition.tufts.edu/research/projects-initiatives/working-paper-healthy-incentives">HERE</a>. </li>
</ul><p>The event will also feature local and national leaders who see hunger’s effects first hand—in doctors’ offices, classrooms, and communities: <em>Dr. Sandra Hassink</em>, Immediate Past President of the American Academy of Pediatrics; <em>Dawn Pierce</em>, mother, licensed practical nurse, and a former SNAP recipient from Boise, Idaho; <em>Clint Mitchell</em>, Principal at Bel Air Elementary School in Virginia; <em>Carlos Rodriguez</em>, executive director of the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey; and <em>Les Johnson</em> with Area Resources for Community and Human Services, which participated in the Summer EBT for Children pilots in Missouri.</p>
<p><strong>Today’s announcements build on ongoing efforts to ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.</strong></p>
<p>Over the past seven years, the Obama Administration has put in place an historic set of policies to expand opportunity for all Americans.  The President, working with Congress, acted to prevent millions from falling into poverty, particularly through the Recovery Act.  The Administration championed expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for working families, which reduce the extent or severity of poverty for more than 16 million people – including about 8 million children – each year.  Through the Affordable Care Act, almost 18 million people have gained health insurance and, for the first time on record, more than 90 percent of Americans have health insurance.  Family homelessness has been reduced by 19 percent since 2010.  And unemployment has been cut in half, to 5 percent.</p>
<p>The Administration has also developed several initiatives to improve food security and nutrition for vulnerable children.  Through the Community Eligibility Provision, schools in high-poverty areas are now able to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students with significantly less administrative burden. And revisions to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) added a cash benefit to allow participants to purchase fruits and vegetables, a change that substantially increased the value of the package.</p>
<p>States and counties are essential in connecting kids to federal nutrition programs. Today, the Administration is highlighting the efforts of State and local leaders that are spearheading aggressive efforts to tackle child hunger.  For example, states including Florida, Michigan, Montana, Virginia, and Washington have publicly prioritized combating childhood hunger, with a particular focus on expanding access to school breakfast programs and adoption of community eligibility:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>In the 2011-2012 school year, Michigan became one the first states to adopt the community eligibility option, paving the way for other states to learn from their efforts. For the 2010-2011 school year, Michigan directly certified 72 percent of children in households receiving SNAP benefits who were eligible for direct certification.  Over the next few years, Michigan substantially increased its direct certification rate, reaching 87 percent in the 2013-2014 school year.</li>
<li>Montana’s efforts, led by the Governor and First Lady, have made it the state with the highest take up of community eligibility in the nation<strong>, </strong>with nearly all eligible schools’ participation. </li>
<li>Also with leadership from the First Lady, Virginia is using an $8.8 million demonstration award from USDA to work toward the end child hunger in the Commonwealth, with a strong focus on expanding participation in the school breakfast program.</li>
<li>California is proposing investing new State resources to improving the operations of their nutrition programs with a goal of connecting 400,000 eligible children to nutrition programs over the next two years.</li>
<li>Colorado has created a streamlined online portal for a wide array of nutrition programs as a strategy to consolidate and simplify the application process, thus improving access for busy working families.</li>
</ul><p>Other landmark accomplishments by the Obama Administration to create opportunity for America’s children include the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, which updated school nutrition standards for the first time in fifteen years; reforms to K-12 education including the Every Student Succeeds Act; expanding access to high quality early education through investments and quality improvements in Head Start, preschool, and child care; and championing both universal pre-K and access to free community college.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 28 Jan 2016 14:38:42 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"634321 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:40;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:119:"Obama Administration to Partner with 27 Communities to Boost Neighborhood Revitalization through Local Food Enterprises";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/002516";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:16578:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Local Foods, Local Places Empowers Creative Economic Development in Rural and Urban Communities in 22 states</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0025.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-01-25T00:00:00-05:00">01/25/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, January 25, 2016 – Today, on behalf of the White House Rural Council, six federal agencies joined together to announce the selection of 27 communities in 22 states that will participate in <a href="http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/local-foods-local-places" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Local Foods, Local Places</a>, a federal initiative that helps communities increase economic opportunities for local farmers and related businesses, create vibrant places and promote childhood wellness by improving access to healthy local food.</p>
<p><img alt="Map of approved community sites." src="//fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/press_releases/lflp.png" style="width: 200px; height: 125px; float: left; margin: 5px;" />Developed as a partnership between USDA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority, this initiative is part of the White House Rural Council's <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/04/13/opportunity-all-white-house-rural-council-launches-rural-impact-effort-help-rural-ch" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Rural Impact</a> work to improve quality of life and upward mobility for children and families in rural and tribal communities.</p>
<p>"The community where a child grows up impacts her odds of graduating high school, health outcomes and lifetime economic opportunities," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "This Administration has embarked on a different, locally-driven approach to empower homegrown solutions. Projects like these help us learn how to better coordinate and target federal assistance as we work with communities to ensure zip codes never determine a child's destiny and every part of America prospers."</p>
<p>"Local Foods, Local Places helps people access healthy local food and supports new businesses in neighborhoods that need investment," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "The program is good for the environment, public health and the economy. By helping bring healthy local food to market and offering new walking and biking options, Local Foods, Local Places can help improve air quality, support local economies, and protect undeveloped green space."</p>
<p>"The United States is facing a growing population and demographic shifts that demand a transportation system prepared for the 21st century," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "Local Foods, Local Places helps to promote investments in local roads and transit services that connect farmers, businesses, and residents further strengthening local economies and improving the quality of life in rural and urban communities."</p>
<p>"Healthy food and regular physical activity are key ingredients to a long, productive life – but access to vegetables, fruits and walkable areas is limited for some," said CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD MPH. "The Local Foods, Local Places program can increase access to these important resources, and CDC is proud to support the expansion of this program in 2016."</p>
<p>"Local Food, Local Places provides tools for Appalachian communities to make local food more impactful for local economies," said Appalachian Regional Commission Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl. "It's exciting to see how community leaders leverage Federal support to build stronger and healthier economies across Appalachia."</p>
<p>"One of the greatest opportunities we see in the Delta region is entrepreneurship and innovation in the agriculture sector. Delta communities have some of the richest farmland and experienced farmers in the world and thus a competitive advantage to develop impactful strategies to feed their residents and boost economic and community development," said Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chair Chris Masingill, "We're seeing impressive results from last year's Local Food, Local Places communities and look forward to the innovative strategies these new communities will create."</p>
<p>The 27 communities selected for 2016 were chosen from more than 300 applicants. Each Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP) partner community works with a team of experts who help community members recognize local assets and opportunities, set goals for revitalizing downtowns and neighborhoods, develop an implementation plan and then identify targeted resources from the participating federal agencies to help implement those plans.</p>
<p>Launched in 2014, LFLP has already helped 26 communities make a difference in people's lives. With technical assistance through LFLP, participants are taking innovative approaches to common challenges, like launching business incubators to support food entrepreneurs and starting cooperative grocery stores to help revitalize main streets. They are developing centrally located community kitchens and food hubs to aggregate and market local foods. Through the integration of transportation and walkability planning they are connecting people to markets and local restaurants. Health outcomes are being targeted through school and community programs that teach children about nutrition, provide hands-on experience growing food and expand local markets and increase access to them through expanded use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).</p>
<p>Working with LFLP technical supports teams:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Williamson, W.V. (population 3,000) is working to improve its food and health care systems with a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to establishing a culture of health through community and clinical interventions by expanding the local food system, improving access to fresh, healthy foods, promoting an active lifestyle and providing greater access to health care.</li>
<li>Rocky Mount, N.C. (population 56,325) is exploring opportunities to establish a farmers' market and urban community gardens on former brownfield sites, Federal Emergency Management Agency buyout lots, and nearby affordable housing developments.</li>
<li>Clarksdale, Miss. (population 17,011) is developing a vegetable farming-based job training program and a series of community gardens that will supply food for a new farmers market and café.</li>
<li>Fallon, Nev. (population 8,439) is organizing stakeholders to start a community-owned grocery store in an abandoned building downtown.</li>
</ul><p>Local Food, Local Places is one of the Administration's community-based initiatives in action across the country. In these places federal experts are working side by side with residents and local leaders to create customized solutions; bolstering coordination across agencies and improving how we interact with communities as a 'one Government' partner; and relying on valuable data to help inform solutions and evaluate what is working and what is not.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>The 27 communities selected for 2016 include:</p>
<p>Alabama</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Bessemer, Alabama, will receive technical assistance to start a farmers market in their downtown, convert vacant lots into community gardens, and build an urban farm and garden project using a former public housing property on a federally designated flood plain.</li>
</ul><p>Alaska</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Grow Palmer, in Palmer, Alaska, will receive technical assistance to support a sustainable food system and trail network in its downtown and foster coordination among organizations working on Palmer's local food economy.</li>
</ul><p>Arkansas</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Lake Village, Arkansas, will grow the city's community garden, expand worksite wellness programming for local businesses, and connect its parks with new trail systems to improve local food access, promote active living, and stimulate economic development.</li>
</ul><p>California</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Fresno, California, plans to establish the Downtown Fresno Public Market as a downtown anchor, leveraging existing resources to provide local food access and attract residents and visitors.</li>
</ul><p>Colorado</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Denver, Colorado, will receive technical assistance to identify strategies to enhance local food systems and local food education, and incorporate local foods into the redevelopment of the National Western Center to improve public health and economic and community development opportunities for neighborhood residents.</li>
<li>The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado, will partner with the city, downtown businesses, and community organizations to connect their existing health and well-being initiatives with a new program in sustainable food systems.</li>
</ul><p>Georgia</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The Winder Housing Authority in Winder, Georgia, plans to develop a pedestrian-accessible community kitchen and garden in the city's Community Development Center.</li>
</ul><p>Hawaii</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The Hawaii Community Development Authority in Honolulu, Hawaii, plans to identify food-based projects that will spur greater investment and stewardship in the Kakaako Makai community, improve returns on local food production, integrate food security initiatives with community and transit-oriented development planning, and reduce stormwater runoff and vulnerability to sea level rise.</li>
</ul><p>Indiana</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Gary, Indiana, will receive technical assistance to encourage urban agriculture programs across 12 neighborhoods, develop strategies to strengthen local garden groups' impact on public health, and forge connections among existing neighborhood planning initiatives.</li>
</ul><p>Kentucky</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. in Middlesboro, Kentucky, plans to create pallet gardens, low-cost mobile food carts, and business strategies for restaurants; a co-op grocery store; and other local food enterprises to employ low-income residents.</li>
</ul><p>Maryland</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The Baltimore Public Markets Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland, plans to revitalize Avenue Market in the distressed Upton/Druid Heights neighborhood to increase access to healthy food and promote economic development.</li>
<li>Somos Inc. in Crisfield, Maryland, will receive technical assistance to establish a year-round farmers market downtown, restoring community members' access to healthy foods, which was lost when Superstorm Sandy destroyed the town's grocery store.</li>
</ul><p>Massachusetts</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Gloucester, Massachusetts, will receive technical assistance to integrate seafood into food systems planning and use local foods to improve health and drive downtown revitalization.</li>
</ul><p>Missouri</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Ozark County Homegrown Food Projects in Gainesville, Missouri, plans to start a community garden in the city park and open a community kitchen and food shop in Gainesville Square.</li>
</ul><p>Nevada</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Henderson, Nevada, will receive technical assistance to develop a food access plan that connects key community areas and offers residents healthy, convenient alternatives for accessing food, work, school, and play throughout downtown Henderson.</li>
</ul><p>New Jersey</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Passaic, New Jersey, will receive technical assistance to strengthen business partnerships in the Eastside neighborhood's ethnic restaurant and food service enclave so those local businesses can better market and connect themselves with the area's redevelopment projects.</li>
</ul><p>New York</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The Adirondack North County Association and community partners in Keeseville, New York, will receive technical assistance to connect revitalization efforts downtown with local food and agritourism activities.</li>
</ul><p>North Carolina</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>High Point, North Carolina, will receive technical assistance to develop a farmers market and other health and wellness programs for its new central library plaza.</li>
</ul><p>Pennsylvania</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The Redevelopment Authority in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, will receive technical assistance to attract more producers to the farmers market, expand cultivation of specialty crops, develop a flexible kitchen space facility, and establish a restaurant corridor reflective of the area's historically diverse cultures to entice people to downtown.</li>
</ul><p>South Carolina</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The Colleton Museum and Farmers Market in Walterboro, South Carolina, will receive technical assistance to build partnerships, explore funding opportunities, and grow markets for local food.</li>
</ul><p>South Dakota</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Rosebud Economic Development Corporation of the Sioux Tribe in Mission, South Dakota, will receive technical assistance to establish a hub of healthy activity centered on local food using a new trail system that links the local grocery store, community garden, farmers market, creek, and wetlands.</li>
</ul><p>Tennessee</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Jackson, Tennessee, plans to create a school-based farmers market using food from the local high school's garden and to connect the West Tennessee Farmers Market with surrounding neighborhoods to improve local food access and increase economic opportunity for farmers.</li>
<li>Martin, Tennessee, will receive technical assistance to launch a "Using Food to Build Community" forum to facilitate regular communication between local food producers and consumers, and encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing between different groups.</li>
<li>Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market in Memphis, Tennessee, will receive technical assistance to develop a permanent, versatile, and more accessible space to host its farmers market and serve as a public square for the city.</li>
</ul><p>Texas</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Dallas, Texas, will receive technical assistance to form a local food branding campaign and an alliance of garden and farm enthusiasts to build public awareness, community cohesion, and relationships between growers and local businesses and help community gardens share expertise and increase the size and variety of their yields.</li>
</ul><p>Virginia</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Christiansburg, Virginia, will receive technical assistance to identify funding and marketing strategies to expand its newly established farmers market, find a permanent location for the market, and attract more shops and restaurants downtown.</li>
</ul><p>West Virginia</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation in Rainelle, West Virginia, will receive technical assistance to establish a mentor program for farmers and producers, develop a community grocery store, form a food alliance, and put vacant land into productive use.</li>
</ul><p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 28 Jan 2016 15:16:50 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"634322 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:41;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:97:"Statement from Secretary Tom Vilsack on Senate Progress to Reauthorize Child Nutrition Programs  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/001816";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3195:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0018.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-01-20T00:00:00-05:00">01/20/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2016 – In anticipation of legislation this week from the Senate to reauthorize child nutrition programs, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provides the following statement:<p></p></p>
<p>We are pleased the Senate is making bipartisan progress to reauthorize critical child nutrition programs. The Senate's bill is a win for children, parents, schools and for our country's future. It maintains our commitment to science-based nutrition standards for school meals and protects the advancements we have made in children's health since the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Rather than diminish the progress made since the changes were implemented in 2012, the Senate's bill ensures progress will continue improving our children's diets, and it promises to end partisan battles about the future of our kids.<p></p></p>
<p>The bill is consistent with the approach taken at USDA all along, which is to provide reasonable flexibility for schools as they continue transitioning to the updated standards -- an approach that is working. A 2014 Harvard study shows that in some schools, under the updated standards, kids are now eating 16 percent more vegetables and 23 percent more fruit at lunch. A 2015 study by the University of Connecticut's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that kids ate nearly 20 percent more of their vegetables in the schools they examined after the standards were updated. And a study of schools in Washington State just published in the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics</i> found that the nutritional quality of meals chosen by students has improved since HHFKA was implemented, while program participation did not change. Multiple surveys have documented how the majority of parents and students like the new meals, and—most important—new evidence suggests after decades of a growing obesity epidemic that harmed the health and future of our children and cost our country billions, we are starting to see progress in preventing this disease. The bill sustains and supports this progress.<p></p></p>
<p>We applaud the Senate's bipartisan progress and urge Congress to reauthorize these programs for our young people without delay.<p></p></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 20 Jan 2016 16:07:48 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"634078 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:42;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:108:"HHS and USDA Release New Dietary Guidelines to Encourage Healthy Eating Patterns to Prevent Chronic Diseases";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2016/000516";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7538:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0005.16</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Press: 202-720-4623 press@oc.usda.gov  HHS Press: 202-690-6343 media@hhs.gov</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-01-07T00:00:00-05:00">01/07/2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2016 – Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia M. Burwell and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today released updated nutritional guidelines that encourage Americans to adopt a series of science-based recommendations to improve how they eat to reduce obesity and prevent chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The <em>2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans</em> is the nation's trusted resource for evidence-based nutrition recommendations and serves to provide the general public, as well as policy makers and health professionals with the information they need to help the public make informed choices about their diets at home, school, work and in their communities.</p>
<p>"Protecting the health of the American public includes empowering them with the tools they need to make healthy choices in their daily lives," said Secretary Burwell. "By focusing on small shifts in what we eat and drink, eating healthy becomes more manageable. The Dietary Guidelines provide science-based recommendations on food and nutrition so people can make decisions that may help keep their weight under control, and prevent chronic conditions, like Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease."</p>
<p>The newly released 8th edition of the Dietary Guidelines reflects advancements in scientific understanding about healthy eating choices and health outcomes over a lifetime. This edition recognizes the importance of focusing not on individual nutrients or foods in isolation, but on the variety of what people eat and drink—healthy eating patterns as a whole—to bring about lasting improvements in individual and population health.</p>
<p>"The <em>Dietary Guidelines for Americans</em> is one of many important tools that help to support a healthier next generation of Americans," said Secretary Vilsack. "The latest edition of the <em>Dietary Guidelines</em> provides individuals with the flexibility to make healthy food choices that are right for them and their families and take advantage of the diversity of products available, thanks to America's farmers and ranchers."</p>
<p>The specific recommendations fit into <a href="http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/executive-summary/#figure-es-12015-2020-dietary-guidelines-for-americans-at-a-glanc" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">five overarching guidelines</a> in the new edition:</p>
<ul><li>Follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan. Eating patterns are the combination of foods and drinks that a person eats over time.</li>
<li>Focus on variety, nutrient-dense foods, and amount</li>
<li>Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats, and reduce sodium intake</li>
<li>Shift to healthier food and beverage choices</li>
<li>Support healthy eating patterns for all</li>
</ul><p>Healthy eating patterns include a variety of nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, low-fat and fat-free dairy, lean meats and other protein foods and oils, while limiting saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars and sodium. A healthy eating pattern is adaptable to a person's taste preferences, traditions, culture and budget.</p>
<p>Importantly, the guidelines suggest Americans should consume:</p>
<ul><li>A variety of vegetables, including dark green, red and orange, legumes (beans and peas), starchy and other vegetables</li>
<li>Fruits, especially whole fruits</li>
<li>Grains, at least half of which are whole grains</li>
<li>Fat-free or low-fat dairy, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and/or fortified soy beverages</li>
<li>A variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), soy products, and nuts and seeds</li>
<li>Oils, including those from plants: canola, corn, olive, peanut, safflower, soybean, and sunflower. Oils also are naturally present in nuts, seeds, seafood, olives, and avocados.</li>
</ul><p>Further, Americans should be encouraged to consume:</p>
<ul><li>Less than 10 percent of calories per day from added sugars. ChooseMyPlate.gov provides more information about added sugars, which are sugars and syrups that are added to foods or beverages when they are processed or prepared. This does not include naturally occurring sugars such as those consumed as part of milk and fruits.</li>
<li>Less than 10 percent of calories per day from saturated fats. The Nutrition Facts label can be used to check for saturated fats. Foods that are high in saturated fat include butter, whole milk, meats that are not labeled as lean, and tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil.</li>
<li>Less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day of sodium for people over the age of 14 years and less for those younger. The Nutrition Facts label is a helpful tool to check for sodium, especially in processed foods like pizza, pasta dishes, sauces, and soups.</li>
</ul><p>Based on a review of current scientific evidence on nutrition, the 2015 edition includes updated guidance on topics such as added sugars, sodium, and cholesterol and new information on caffeine. For example, the <em>2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines</em> is the first edition to recommend a quantitative limit to consume less than 10 percent of calories from added sugars. This edition also reaffirms guidance about the core building blocks of a healthy lifestyle that have remained consistent over the past several editions, and suggests there is still work to be done to encourage more Americans to follow the recommendations outlined in the <em>Dietary Guidelines</em>.</p>
<p>The <em>2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines</em> was informed by the recommendations of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which was composed of prestigious researchers in the fields of nutrition, health, and medicine, and by consideration of public and federal agency comments.</p>
<p>Since 1980, HHS and USDA have shared a responsibility to the American public to ensure that advancements in scientific understanding about the role of nutrition in health are incorporated into the <em>Dietary Guidelines</em>, which is updated every five years. USDA has also released updates for consumers on ChooseMyPlate.gov, and new resources will soon be available on Health.gov from HHS that will help health professionals support their clients and patients in making healthy choices.</p>
<p>The <em>2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines</em> for Americans is available at <a href="http://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">dietaryguidelines.gov</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 07 Jan 2016 12:19:46 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"633500 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:43;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:127:"FACT SHEET: White House Report Highlights New Research on SNAP’s Effectiveness and the Importance of Adequate Food Assistance";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/wh-120815";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10686:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New CEA Report Finds that SNAP Benefits are Crucial for Families but Sometimes Inadequate</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">WH 120815</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-12-09T00:00:00-05:00">12/09/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />December 8, 2015</p>
<p>A new <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/12/08/new-cea-report-finds-snap-benefits-are-crucial-families-sometimes-inadequate">Report</a> released today from the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) finds that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is highly effective at reducing food insecurity—the government’s measure for whether households lack the resources for consistent and dependable access to food. The report highlights a growing body of research that finds that children who receive food assistance see improvements in health and academic performance and that these benefits are mirrored by long-run improvements in health, educational attainment, and economic self-sufficiency. The report also features new research that shows benefit levels are often inadequate to sustain families through the end of the month—resulting in high-cost consequences, such as a 27 percent increase in the rate of hospital admissions due to low blood sugar for low-income adults between the first and last week of the month, as well as diminished performance on standardized tests among school age children.</p>
<p>Each month, SNAP helps about 46 million low-income Americans put food on the table. The large majority of households receiving SNAP include children, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and working adults. Two-thirds of SNAP benefits go to households with children.</p>
<p>Today’s CEA report draws on a growing body of high-quality research about food insecurity and SNAP, finding that:</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>SNAP plays an important role in reducing both poverty and food insecurity in the United States—especially among children. </strong></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>SNAP benefits lifted at least 4.7 million people out of poverty in 2014—including 2.1 million children. SNAP also lifted more than 1.3 million children out of deep poverty, or above half of the poverty line (for example, $11,925 for a family of four).</li>
<li>The temporary expansion of SNAP benefits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) lifted roughly 530,000 households out of food insecurity.</li>
</ul><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>SNAP benefits support vulnerable populations including children, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly, as well as an increasing number of working families.</strong></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>Nearly one in two households receiving SNAP benefits have children, and three-quarters of recipient households have a child, an elderly member, or a member with a disability. Fully 67 percent of the total value of SNAP benefits go to households with children as these households on average get larger benefits than households without children.</li>
<li>Over the past 20 years, the overall share of SNAP recipient households with earned income rose by 50 percent. Among recipient households with children, the share with a working adult has doubled since 1990.</li>
</ul><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>SNAP’s impact on children lasts well beyond their childhood years, providing long-run benefits for health, education, and economic self-sufficiency.</strong></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>Among adults who grew up in disadvantaged households when the Food Stamp Program was first being introduced, access to Food Stamps before birth and in early childhood led to significant reductions in the likelihood of obesity and significant increases in the likelihood of completing high school.</li>
<li>Early exposure to food stamps also led to reductions in metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions associated with heart disease and diabetes) and increased economic self-sufficiency among disadvantaged women.</li>
</ul><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>SNAP has particularly large benefits for women and their families.</strong></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>Maternal receipt of Food Stamps during pregnancy reduces the incidence of low birth-weight by between 5 and 23 percent.</li>
<li>Exposure to food assistance in utero and through early childhood has large overall health and economic self-sufficiency impacts for disadvantaged women.</li>
</ul><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>The majority of working-age SNAP recipients already participate in the labor market, and the program includes important supports to help more recipients successfully find and keep work.</strong></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>Fifty-seven percent of working-age adults receiving SNAP are either working or looking for work, while 22 percent do not work due to a disability. Many recipients are also the primary caregivers of young children or family members with disabilities.</li>
<li>SNAP also supports work through the Employment and Training program, which directly helps SNAP beneficiaries gain the skills they need to succeed in the labor market in order to find and retain work. During fiscal year 2014, this program served about 600,000 SNAP recipients.</li>
</ul><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>Even with SNAP’s positive impact, nearly one in seven American households experienced food insecurity in 2014.</strong></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>These households—which included 15 million children—lacked the resources necessary for consistent and dependable access to food.</li>
<li>In 2014, 40 percent of all food-insecure households—and nearly 6 percent of US households overall—were considered to have very low food security. This means that, in nearly seven million households, at least one person in the household missed meals and experienced disruptions in food intake due to insufficient resources for food.</li>
</ul><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong>While SNAP benefits allow families to put more food on the table, current benefit levels are often insufficient to sustain them through the end of the month, with substantial consequences.</strong></p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>More than half of SNAP households currently report experiencing food insecurity, and the fraction reporting very low food security has risen since the end of the temporary benefits expansion under ARRA.</li>
<li>New research has linked diminished food budgets at the end of each month to high-cost consequences, including:<br />o    A drop-off in caloric intake, with estimates of this decline ranging from 10 to 25 percent over the course of the month;<br />o    A 27 percent increase in the rate of hospital admissions due to low blood sugar for low-income adults between the first and last week of the month;<br />o    An 11 percent increase in the rate of disciplinary actions among school children in SNAP households between the first and last week of the month;<br />o    Diminished student performance on standardized tests, with performance improving only gradually again after the next month’s benefits are received.
<p> </p>
</li>
</ul><p><strong>Administration Efforts to Build on Progress</strong></p>
<p>To reduce hunger and improve family well-being, the Obama administration has been and remains dedicated to providing American children and families with better access to the nutrition they need to thrive. These investments make a real and measurable difference in the lives of children and their families, and ensure a brighter, healthier future for the entire country.</p>
<p>Through the Recovery Act, the Administration temporarily increased SNAP benefits by 14 percent during the Great Recession to help families put food on the table.  Reports indicate that food security among low-income households improved from 2008 to 2009 amidst a severe recession and increased unemployment; a significant part of that improvement is likely attributable to SNAP.</p>
<p>The Administration has also developed several initiatives to improve food security and nutrition for vulnerable children.  Through the Community Eligibility Provision, schools in high-poverty areas are now able to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students with significantly less administrative burden. Recent revisions to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) added a cash benefit to allow participants to purchase fruits and vegetables, a change that substantially increased the value of the package. The Administration also has expanded access for low-income children to nutritious food during the summer months when school meals are unavailable and the risk of food insecurity is heightened. The results of these efforts have been promising. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) delivered 23 million more summer meals than in 2009.  And the Administration has successfully implemented Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) pilots, which provide additional food assistance to low-income families with children during the summer months. These pilots were found to reduce very low food security among children by 26 percent.  The President’s 2016 Budget proposed a significant expansion of this effort.</p>
<p>Finally, this Administration has provided select states waivers to test ways of reducing the administrative burdens of SNAP for elderly households, a population that continues to be underserved. After seeing positive results in participating states, including an increase of elderly participation by more than 50 percent in Alabama, the President’s 2016 Budget included a proposal to create a state option that would expand upon these efforts to improve access to SNAP benefits for the elderly.</p>
<p align="center">###</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:29:21 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632795 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:44;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:134:"USDA Hosts Prize Challenge to Generate Innovative Ideas for Electronic, Error-Reducing Version of the School Meal Programs Application";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-001115";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4766:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0011.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-12-01T00:00:00-05:00">12/01/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, December 1, 2015 – As part of its commitment to protecting the integrity of the child nutrition programs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) kicked off a <a href="http://lunchux.devpost.com/">prize challenge</a> today to solicit innovative designs for an electronic school meals application.  The resulting electronic application is expected to help facilitate accurate completion and processing, thereby reducing improper payments and ensuring eligible low-income students receive free or reduced price meals.</p>
<p>“Over 70 percent of National School Lunch Program participants and nearly 85 percent of School Breakfast Program participants receive free or reduced-price meals. These students count on school meals as a vital part of their daily nutrition, and for many, the application is a key part of ensuring access,” said FNS Administrator Audrey Rowe.  “FNS is leveraging the challenge model to access a diverse group of innovators, problem solvers, and experienced programmers who can improve the application process and help shape the future of digital design in government.”</p>
<p>Beginning today and through March 1, 2016, any U.S. citizen or organization can submit prototypes of an electronic school meal application to the <em>E.A.T. School Lunch UX Challenge</em>.  The submissions will be used to develop a model electronic application, which states and school districts can adapt for their own use, or borrow its design elements and source code to improve existing electronic applications. A panel of judges will select the winning submissions, which will be awarded a total of $50,000 in cash prizes.  </p>
<p>This competition is held under the authority of the America COMPETES Act, which encourages government agencies to use prize challenges to spur innovation, solve tough problems, and advance their core missions.  USDA and other government agencies have engaged and benefited from prize challenges, such as the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&amp;contentid=2015/09/0259.xml">Tall Wood Building project</a>.</p>
<p>In total, approximately 100,000 schools and institutions serve more than 30 million children each day through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and 13 million children through the School Breakfast Program (SBP).  Many of these children qualify to receive free or reduced price meals according to income-based eligibility.  While USDA promotes the use of direct certification – using pre-existing data from SNAP and other assistance programs to certify students for free meals – when possible, there are still many scenarios where it is necessary for families to submit an application.  Using an electronic application that provides prompts and feedback to the user during the application process could reduce reporting and calculation errors. </p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to NSLP and SBP, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p align="center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:43:07 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632729 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:45;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:78:"USDA Awards $2 Million for Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Research";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/032715";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6258:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0327.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-11-23T00:00:00-05:00">11/23/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today awarded $2 million in grants to support research on nutrition education and obesity prevention for disadvantaged children and families at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Utah State University. The funding will help create two additional Regional Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Centers of Excellence (RNECE), established through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).</p>
<p>"Childhood obesity rates in America have tripled over the past three decades," said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. "While we are beginning to see promising signs of progress with the epidemic leveling off in children, these grants will help evaluate and strengthen existing nutrition education and obesity prevention efforts to help ensure this progress continues."</p>
<p>The awards include:</p>
<ul><li>University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UT) will receive $1 million to strengthen SNAP and EFNEP nutrition education programs for low-income families. The Center will focus on reducing obesity by analyzing programs to identify facilitators, barriers, best practices, training and evaluation needs. UT will develop and disseminate resources tailored to the needs of those delivering SNAP-Ed and EFNEP interventions and adapt and disseminate readiness-to-change resources to strengthen organizational, community and neighborhood coalitions and provide resources to increase intercultural competence in SNAP-Ed and EFNEP implementation.</li>
<li>Utah State University in Logan, Utah will receive $1 million to compare EFNEP and SNAP-Ed program participants and non-participants with a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds across five states. This research will improve USDA's ability to evaluate, create and maintain effective nutrition education programs that result in healthier food choices and increased physical activity for participants. These lifestyle changes will lead to improved health and reduced incidence of disease and disability, reducing costs to individuals and the nation's healthcare system.</li>
</ul><p>"With one-third of our nation's children overweight or obese, this issue stands out as one of the greatest health challenges facing our country," said USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Audrey Rowe. "As we invest in our nation's health it is important we leverage partners and innovative strategies to help children from low-income families grow and develop into healthy adults."</p>
<p>The <a href="http://nifa.usda.gov/program/regional-nutrition-education-and-obesity-prevention-centers-excellence-rnece" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">RNECE</a> were established in 2014 with one research institution in each of NIFA's four administrative regions and one National Coordination Center. The Centers are the result of a partnership between USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), NIFA and the participating universities. Through these research centers the agencies expect to develop evidence-based data to support best practices that mitigate issues leading to obesity, particularly among poor and underrepresented groups.</p>
<p><a href="https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">SNAP-Ed</a> was initiated in 1992 and is administered by participating state SNAP agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. SNAP-Ed is delivered by nearly 100 implementing agencies including land-grant universities in 47 states, public health departments, food banks, non-profit organizations, and others. <a href="http://nifa.usda.gov/program/expanded-food-and-nutrition-education-program-efnep" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">EFNEP</a> was started in 1969 and is administered by 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and six U.S. territories.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" id="anch_127">FNS</a> administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to SNAP these programs include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); National School Lunch and Breakfast programs; and the Summer Food Service Program that together comprise America's nutrition safety net. Improving the diets of participants is a key component of USDA's nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p>NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and seeks to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. To learn more about NIFA's impact on agricultural science visit <a href="http://nifa.usda.gov/impacts" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">nifa.usda.gov/impacts</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:04:29 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632673 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:46;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:81:"USDA to Establish First-Ever SNAP Employment &amp; Training Center of Excellence ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/030215";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4738:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Innovative Center Will Provide Tailored Assistance to States Working to Help SNAP Participants Gain Employer-Valued Skills and Find Jobs </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0302.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-10-29T00:00:00-04:00">10/29/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2015 – Today Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of the nation's first Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&amp;T) Center of Excellence. The Center of Excellence will build on the Administration's commitment to job-driven training. It will build on best practices that help SNAP participants gain the skills they need for jobs employers are looking to fill today.</p>
<p>"The labor market is rapidly evolving," Vilsack said. "By 2020, two-thirds of jobs will require some education beyond high school. To compete for these jobs, SNAP participants need skills training and education, not just help with a resume."</p>
<p>The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service selected the Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI) to establish and operate the Center of Excellence for the next two years. SJI is partnering with Abt Associates in this effort. SJI has a long-standing history of providing technical assistance in SNAP E&amp;T; the organization was a critical partner in building a leading E&amp;T program, Washington State's Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET).</p>
<p>The Center of Excellence is central to FNS' efforts to leverage SNAP E&amp;T so more states can help SNAP clients work toward economic self-sufficiency. In collaboration with FNS, the Center of Excellence will support, guide, and empower select states to build better, stronger E&amp;T programs. It will serve as a "hub" that provides all states the tools they need to build job-driven programs. In addition, a targeted group of states will have an opportunity to receive enhanced technical assistance.</p>
<p>SNAP E&amp;T is a critical tool in each state's workforce development system that can provide employer-valued skills training to low-income, low-skilled Americans. SNAP E&amp;T can help unemployed workers get back on their feet and can offer workers in low-wage jobs additional skills training to advance in their careers.</p>
<p>"USDA is committed to building job-driven E&amp;T programs that help SNAP participants find and keep gainful employment in order to build a stronger future for their families," Vilsack said.</p>
<p>Even when the economy is improving, many Americans may continue to need additional support putting food on the table for their families as they try to get back on their feet. SNAP helps many hard-working Americans supplement their family's nutrition and to make ends meet.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="/snap" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="/wic" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="/sfsp" id="anch_127" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p>#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 29 Oct 2015 17:20:52 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632447 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:47;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:123:"Secretary Vilsack Announces Additional Progress in Addressing Childhood Hunger, Applauds Pediatricians for their Commitment";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/029715";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5472:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0297.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-10-26T00:00:00-04:00">10/26/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, October 26, 2015 – Today at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that with the current school year underway, <a href="/sites/default/files/cn/SFAcert_FY16Q4.pdf" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">97 percent of schools now report successfully meeting updated nutrition standards</a>, and the number of eligible high-poverty schools utilizing USDA's Community Eligibility Provision has increased by 20 percent since last year. The Community Eligibility Program ensures universal access to healthy food for all children attending high-poverty schools, and this is the second school year that it has been available nationwide. Secretary Vilsack made this announcement before the members of the American Academy of Pediatrics which just this weekend demonstrated their commitment to improving child nutrition by releasing a policy statement calling for pediatricians across the country to play a role in reducing childhood food insecurity.</p>
<p>"The numbers released today, and the actions of these pediatricians, are a reflection of the commitment by thousands of schools, communities, physicians and nutrition leaders across the country to ensuring a healthier next generation," said Secretary Vilsack. "Thanks to the improvements we have made in school nutrition, our nation's children show up each day to healthier school environments, where they can easily get the nutrients they need for academic success and healthier futures. It is imperative that Congress moves quickly to reauthorize child nutrition legislation to give these men and women predictability in the work they are doing, and most importantly so that we do not reverse the progress made to date in improving the health and future well-being of America's children."</p>
<p>More than 15 million American children live in food-insecure households, without consistent access to sufficient food. In high-poverty schools, where a large percentage of students are in households receiving certain types of means-tested assistance, the Community Eligibility Provision allows schools to provide free meals to all students through a cost sharing model where part of the cost is covered by the federal government and the rest is picked up by the school. To date, more than 17,000 schools in high-poverty areas are offering nutritious meals to about 8 million students at no direct cost to the students through this provision.</p>
<p>Across the country, schools participating in CEP are making great strides in the fight against childhood hunger. They're also experiencing a number of other positive effects, such as significantly lower erroneous payments, decreased administrative burden for schools and parents, and increased participation in meal programs. This is, in part, because CEP works well with alternative breakfast models -- such as breakfast in the classroom, grab-n-go and second chance breakfasts -- that incorporate breakfast into the school day. The meals they serve are healthier than ever; nationwide, 97 percent of schools are now meeting the updated nutrition standards, and, as a result, students are trying new foods and eating more fruits and vegetables.</p>
<p>None of this would have been possible without the bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. As Congress turns its attention to reauthorizing this bill, it's important to remember the role these programs play in ensuring access to safe, healthy food, for all American children. USDA is committed to working with the decreasingly few schools that are struggling to meet the standards, by providing training, flexibility, and technical assistance, so that all children have access to a healthier school day.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/09/0242.xml&amp;navid=NEWS_RELEASE&amp;navtype=RT&amp;parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&amp;edeployment_action=retrievecontent" id="anch_125">Fact Sheet: Schools Serving, Kids Eating Healthier School Meals Thanks to Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 26 Oct 2015 17:01:23 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632433 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:48;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:142:"New USDA Data Show Growing Farm to School Efforts Help to Reduce Plate Waste, Increase Student Participation in Healthier School Meals Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/029215";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8436:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0292.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-10-20T00:00:00-04:00">10/20/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>NEW YORK, October 20, 2015 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">preliminary Farm to School Census data</a> for school year 2013-2014 that indicate strong farm to school programs can increase the number of students purchasing school breakfast and lunch, improve consumption of healthier foods at school, and reduce plate waste. Census data also indicate that schools purchased nearly $600 million worth of food locally in school year 2013-2014, a 55 percent increase over school year 2011-2012 when the first Farm to School Census was conducted, creating new marketing opportunities for farmers and ranchers in their communities.</p>
<p>The results are an outcome of efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Secretary Vilsack's leadership, to target resources to help schools serve healthier meals to students following the passage of the bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Through its <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school-grant-program" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School Grant Program</a>, established and funded through the Act, USDA offers grants to help schools and other eligible entities establish or expand farm to school programs. In September 2015, USDA released a <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/f2s/F2S_Grant_Summary_Report.pdf" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">report</a> that shows that the grants alone have helped 12,300 schools improve nutritious meal options made with local ingredients for 6.9 million students, while expanding market opportunities for family farmers and ranchers in their communities.</p>
<p>"Farm to school is one of many tactics and resources that USDA makes available to help schools successfully serve healthier meals to kids. Farm to school partnerships have a proven track record of encouraging kids to try, like and eat more healthy foods and creating new market opportunities for the farmers that grow them," said Vilsack. "Congress should act quickly to reauthorize the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to build on the success of farm to school and the healthier school meals and continue our momentum towards a healthier next generation of Americans."</p>
<p>The Farm to School Census is a nationally representative survey of school districts. Nationwide, more than 42,000 schools have farm to school programs, which operate in conjunction with the National School Lunch Program and other school meal programs. Seventy-five percent of respondents with farm to school programs reported at least one of the following positive benefits as a result of participating in farm to school:</p>
<ul><li>Reduced plate waste (17 percent);</li>
<li>Improved acceptance of the healthier school meals (28 percent);</li>
<li>Increased participation in school meals programs (17 percent);</li>
<li>Lower school meal program costs (21 percent); and</li>
<li>Increased support from parents and community members for the healthier school meals (39 percent).</li>
</ul><p>In addition to serving local food, farm to school programs often include food, agriculture, and nutrition education that emphasizes hands-on experiential activities, such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes. For example, students might dissect vegetables in science class, run farm stands using school garden produce to learn business skills, or practice data visualization techniques using plant growth measurements. All these activities contribute to an integrated approach to learning centered on food, agriculture, and nutrition, which independent research and testimony from teacher and school officials indicate can improve student's formation of healthy habits and increase the likelihood that they will make healthy choices. Recent studies published in <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621303/" id="anch_127" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Childhood Obesity</a> and <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1499404614004953" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior</a> reiterate the Farm to School Census findings, indicating that strong farm to school programs can positively impact consumption of fruits and vegetables, leading to reductions in plate waste.</p>
<p>Farm to school programs present economic opportunities for farmers and ranchers as well. Updated Farm to School Census data show that the value of local food purchases by schools increased by 55 percent in just two years, from $385.8 million in school year 2011-2012 to $598.4 million in school year 2013-2014. Nearly half (47 percent) of respondents indicated that they plan to increase local food purchases in the coming years.</p>
<p>Under new standards in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, children are now eating healthier meals at schools. Farm to school programs are one of many tools and resources USDA offers to help schools successfully serve healthier meals. For example, USDA recently launched an initiative called <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/06/29/team-up-for-school-nutrition-success/" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Team Up for School Nutrition Success</a> that allows schools to pair up and learn best practices from schools that are already successfully serving healthier meals. Through workshops and webinars, the program has provided training for more than 4,000 individuals.</p>
<p>For the past three years, kids have eaten healthier breakfasts, lunches and snacks at school thanks to the bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which made the first meaningful improvements to the nutrition of foods and beverages served in cafeterias and sold in vending machines at schools in 30 years. Over 95 percent of schools report that they are successfully meeting the updated nutrition standards, and a <a href="http://ww2.wkkf.org/2015schoolfoodpoll/" id="anch_130" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">recent poll shows that more than eight in ten Americans support the healthier school meals</a>.</p>
<p>Census results can be accessed online at <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_131" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov</a>. School districts have an opportunity to review or submit updated information regarding their farm to school practices through November 20, 2015. Final Farm to School Census results will be released in early 2016.</p>
<p>Fact Sheet: <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/09/0242.xml&amp;navid=NEWS_RELEASE&amp;navtype=RT&amp;parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&amp;edeployment_action=retrievecontent" id="anch_132">Schools Serving, Kids Eating Healthier School Meals Thanks to Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:14:28 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632205 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:49;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:143:"USDA Announces Expanded Training and Technical Assistance for School Meals through its Team Up for School Nutrition Success Training Initiative";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-001015";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4676:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0010.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-10-15T00:00:00-04:00">10/15/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Food and Nutrition Service announces the expansion of the <em>Team Up for School Nutrition Success (Team Up) </em>initiative with the addition of two trainings designed to help make the initiative a sustainable training program for advancing the school nutrition field.</p>
<p>“School nutrition professionals are on the front lines of ensuring America’s school children have access to nutritious, appetizing meals; the importance of their work cannot be overstated,” said Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.  “There is no better time than this week – National School Lunch Week – to celebrate the expansion of the <em>Team Up for School Nutrition Success</em> initiative, which will educate and empower school nutrition professionals nationwide.”</p>
<p>Over the past year, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service partnered with the University of Mississippi’s Institute for Child Nutrition to host seven regional <em>Team Up </em>workshops to provide technical assistance and support to school nutrition professionals across the country<em>.</em>  Based on the success of these trainings, USDA and the Institute will continue the <em>Team Up </em>momentum by hosting a consultant orientation in late October and a “train the trainer” session in November.  Across the two sessions, up to 40 consultants and 100 state agency representatives will be trained on how to facilitate a <em>Team Up </em>workshop.  This is in preparation for future expansion efforts which will make <em>Team Up </em>trainings available at the state level. The goal of the expansion is to bring customized <em>Team Up</em> trainings to all states and territories.</p>
<p>The seven original <em>Team Up </em>trainings were two-day, face-to-face regional workshops that used a research-based mentorship model to help school nutrition professionals share their challenges and solutions, identify strengths, and develop action plans to implement program improvements. Approximately 650 people attended the workshops, and over 4,000 tuned in to the <em>Team Up Thursday</em> webinars held each month.  Across the board, feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive.</p>
<p>“I feel good about what I’m doing and what I want to do,” said Bruce Davis of Farmville, Va., who participated in one of the <em>Team Up</em> workshops.  “[I can] go back and work on my goals.  I will be successful.”</p>
<p>Over 95 percent of schools are meeting the updated nutrition standards resulting from the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.  But, for those schools that need assistance, USDA is announcing this expanded training and technical assistance to ensure that all schools are able to get the support they may need – from peers who have successfully met the standards.</p>
<p>This week, USDA is celebrating <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/10/09/presidential-proclamation-national-school-lunch-week-2015">National School Lunch Week</a>, underlining the importance of school meals and recognizing the hard work and dedication of school nutrition professionals across the country. The National School Lunch Program is one of 15 nutrition assistance programs administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, which together comprise America's nutrition safety net.  Other programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:28:54 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632098 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:50;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:75:"USDA Helps States Improve Technology to Combat Trafficking of SNAP Benefits";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-000915";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5389:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0009.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-10-08T00:00:00-04:00">10/08/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">WASHINGTON, Oct 8, 2015 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced an award of over $9 million in technology grants to help selected state agencies combat benefit abuse and trafficking by participants in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Projects in Alaska, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, and New Jersey were selected.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">“USDA remains committed to ensuring the integrity of SNAP, and the grants announced today will help equip our state partners with the most modern technology to track and root out benefit abuse by participants,” Concannon said. “USDA recognizes that program fraud, even though infrequent, undermines public confidence in government and can jeopardize a vital program that helps millions of people put food on the table.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">SNAP law and regulations require state agencies administering the program to maintain fraud prevention efforts and investigate program violations by SNAP participants. The competitive grant awards announced today are designed to help states deploy new technology, or modernize existing technology, that monitors and tracks investigation outcomes of individuals suspected of intentional program violations - with an emphasis on trafficking, the illegal sale of benefits for cash, or other ineligible items.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Americans support helping struggling families put food on the table but they want to know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely,” Concannon said. “USDA is actively working on behalf of American taxpayers to make sure that benefits are used as intended.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Agencies administering SNAP in the 50 states, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia were eligible to apply for the grants, which are not to exceed three years. For further information, please visit the </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-program-improvement" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">SNAP Program Improvement website</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, the </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, and the </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p align="center"><em style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 08 Oct 2015 18:23:16 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632046 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:51;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:111:"USDA Seeks Applications for $16.8 Million in Grants to Empower SNAP Participants to Make Healthy Eating Choices";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/027615";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7110:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0276.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">David Glasgow (202) 690-0548 David.glasgow@usda.gov</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-10-06T00:00:00-04:00">10/06/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of up to $16.8 million in funding to help participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables. The funding is available to local, state and national organizations to test incentive strategies to help SNAP participants better afford healthy foods. This is the second round of awards to be made under the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program created by the 2014 Farm Bill. USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will administer the grants.</p>
<p>"Eating healthy foods makes a difference to an entire family's health and ability to learn, work and enjoy life," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "These investments are moving the dial for families in need and expanding the market for America's fruit and vegetable producers. The FINI program scales up public-private collaboration to develop innovative strategies that make healthy fruits and vegetables more accessible to families around the country, part of our strategy to improve the diet and health of all Americans."</p>
<p>FINI connects stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and fosters partnerships to improve the nutrition and health status of lower-income households. These resources will allow partnerships like these to help even more families.</p>
<p>Funded projects will test community based strategies that contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants through incentives at the point of purchase, supported by efficient benefit redemption technologies, that inform future efforts.</p>
<p><a href="http://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program">Applications</a> are due Dec. 16, 2015. NIFA will host a webinar for applicants on Oct. 14, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., EDT at <a href="http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/finip/">http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/finip/</a>.</p>
<p>Applications are sought in three categories: (1) FINI pilot projects (awards not to exceed $100,000 in one year); (2) multi-year, community-based FINI projects (awards not to exceed $500,000 over no more than four years); and (3) multi-year, FINI large-scale projects (awards of $500,000 or more over no more than four years).</p>
<p>Priority is given to projects that:</p>
<ul><li>Maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants</li>
<li>Provide incentives that are most likely to directly and efficiently increase the purchase and consumption of eligible fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants</li>
<li>Test innovative or promising strategies that would contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants and inform future efforts</li>
<li>Improve or develop innovative benefit redemption systems that can be replicated or scaled</li>
<li>Use direct-to-consumer marketing</li>
<li>Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers</li>
<li>Provide locally- or regionally-produced fruits and vegetables, especially culturally-appropriate fruits and vegetables for a target group of consumers</li>
<li>Are located in underserved communities, particularly <a href="https://www.onecpd.info/promise-zones/">Promise Zones</a> and <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE">StrikeForce</a> communities</li>
</ul><p>FINI is a joint effort between NIFA and USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">Food and Nutrition Service</a>, which oversees SNAP and has responsibility for evaluating the impacts of the incentive projects.</p>
<p>Funding for the FINI program is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.usda.gov/farmbill">www.usda.gov/farmbill</a>.</p>
<p>SNAP—the nation's first line of defense against hunger—helps put food on the table for millions of families experiencing hardship. The program has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, and 42 percent of participants live in households in which at least one adult is working but still cannot afford to put food on the table. SNAP benefits provided critical assistance to millions who lost their jobs during the Great Recession. For many, SNAP benefits provide temporary assistance, with the average new applicant remaining on the program 12 months.</p>
<p>NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and seeks to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. To learn more about NIFA's impact on agricultural science, visit <a href="http://nifa.usda.gov/impacts">nifa.usda.gov/impacts</a> or follow us on Twitter <a hashtag="" href="https://twitter.com/usda_nifa">#NIFAImpacts</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay) </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 06 Oct 2015 14:53:57 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632033 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:52;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:92:"FNS Approves Hot Food Purchases in Select Areas in Response to the Butte Fires in California";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/ca-fires-2";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1148:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-10-02T00:00:00-04:00">10/02/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><h3>Special Disaster Rules for Accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT Benefits For Hot Food Purchases</h3>
<p>Due to the Butte Fires, and effective immediately, retail food stores licensed by the Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP benefits in the following counties may accept SNAP benefits in exchange for HOT foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises:</p>
<p>Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne</p>
<p>These special rules are in effect through November 2, 2015</p>
<p>This <a href="/sites/default/files/snap/Amendment-Hot-Foods-Notice-California.pdf">notice</a> contains more information.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 02 Oct 2015 17:38:11 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632022 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:53;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:123:"USDA Awards $34.3 Million to Support Communities&#039; Local Foods Infrastructure, Increase Access to Fruits and Vegetables";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/027315";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9551:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Funding Supports Local Food Systems, Farmers Markets and Healthier Eating for SNAP Participants</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0273.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-10-02T00:00:00-04:00">10/02/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today helped to kick off the nation's harvest season by announcing nearly $35 million in new funding through four grant programs to support local and regional food systems, including farmers markets. Secretary Vilsack has named strengthening local food systems as one of the four pillars of USDA's efforts to revitalize rural economies and communities. Purchases of locally-produced food have surged to nearly $12 billion under Secretary Vilsack's leadership, while the number of farmers markets has exploded to <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FarmersMarketDirectoryListing.jpg" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">more than 8,500 from 5,274</a> in 2009.</p>
<p>Today's announcement is part of a USDA-wide effort to support President Obama's commitment to strengthening local and regional food systems. These grants are administered by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Under the current Administration, AMS and FNS have partnered to boost affordable access to local, fresh and healthy foods, which creates a gateway to opportunity for small and mid-size producers and benefits the health of all Americans, regardless of income levels.</p>
<p>"Today, USDA is helping to create economic opportunities for producers, increase access to fresh, healthy food for consumers, and connect rural and urban communities across the country," said Secretary Vilsack. "Each of the grants announced today targets a unique part of the growing market for local foods. We are also expanding access for current SNAP participants to the wonderful array of fresh produce at America's farmers markets, which is important to a healthy diet."</p>
<p>USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is awarding <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp/awards" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">$13.3 million in Farmers Market Promotion Program grants</a> to 164 marketing and promotion projects involved with farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), and other direct-to-consumer outlets for local food. Since 2009, this program has funded 902 projects totaling over $59.2 million to support direct marketing efforts for local food.</p>
<p>AMS is also awarding <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp/awards" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">$11.9 million in Local Food Promotion Program grants</a> to 160 marketing and promotion projects for intermediary local food enterprises such as food hubs, aggregation businesses, local food processors, and farm-to-institution activities. This program, begun in 2014, has funded 351 projects totaling $24.6 million to support local/regional supply chain activities including processing, aggregating, storing or distributing local and regional food.</p>
<p>And AMS is awarding <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fsmip/awards" id="anch_127" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">$1 million in matching-grant funds through the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program</a>. These funds are awarded through State departments of agriculture and other agencies, as well as State colleges and universities. The matching funds will support 15 research projects to find solutions to challenges and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and distributing U.S. agricultural products domestically and internationally. Since 2009, this program has funded 142 projects totaling $8.6 million to explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products.</p>
<p>Both the Farmers Market and the Local Food Promotion Programs were made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. A description of the projects funded by each of these programs is available on the <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">AMS website</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers the <a href="/farmers-market-snap-support-grants" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Farmers Market Support Grants</a>, which is awarding $8.1 million in grants for projects in 23 states to enhance the effectiveness of SNAP operations at farmers markets. The new funds support broad SNAP-related activities and costs, including staff training and technical assistance, creating educational materials, and raising awareness among current SNAP participants that their benefits may be used to purchase the healthy, fresh foods at these outlets. Farmers market organizations and associations, non-profit entities, state, local and tribal nations and other organizations engaged in farmers market management were eligible to apply. Grantees will be able to help connect low-income families with fresh, healthy, local food options by expanding SNAP use at these markets. From 2009 to 2014, SNAP redemptions at farmers markets have grown by 350 percent. A description of the projects funded is available on the <a href="/farmers-market-snap-support-grants" id="anch_130" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">FNS website</a>.</p>
<p>Vilsack continued, "We will continue supporting local and regional food systems, which are drawing young people back to agriculture, generating jobs, and improving quality of life in rural communities. Since 2009, we have seen a 75% growth in farmers markets nationwide and sales of local food rose to an estimated $12 billion in 2014, much of it through sales from farms to local grocers, institutions and restaurants."</p>
<p>The local and regional food systems grant projects support the USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER" id="anch_131">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative</a> (KYF2) which coordinates USDA's support for local and regional food systems.</p>
<p>USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) works to improve global opportunities for U.S. growers and producers. AMS grant funding supports a variety of programs, including organic certification cost-share programs, the <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp" id="anch_132" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Specialty Crop Block Grant Program</a>, <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp" id="anch_133" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">the Farmers Market</a> and <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp" id="anch_134" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Local Food Promotion Program</a>, and the <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fsmip" id="anch_135" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program</a>. This funding is one of the ways that USDA invests in the future of rural America and the nation's agricultural sector.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap" id="anch_136" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic" id="anch_137" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/" id="anch_138" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" id="anch_139" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_140" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 02 Oct 2015 14:54:55 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632020 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:54;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:65:"Q&amp;A for SNAP Recipients in the Event of a Government Shutdown";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:38:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/2015-qas";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7041:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-09-25T00:00:00-04:00">09/25/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>How likely is it that the government will shut down? </strong><br />The Obama Administration strongly believes that a lapse in funding should not occur. There is enough time for Congress to prevent it. However, without funding from Congress, USDA is required by law to ensure that it does not spend money it doesn’t have. USDA is doing everything it can to notify participants of what those impacts might be.</p>
<p><strong>Will my EBT card stop working if there is a government shutdown?</strong><br />If we do not have funding from Congress, USDA will have limited funding for SNAP benefits in October and will be forced to stop providing benefits within the first few days of October. Once that occurs, families won’t be able to use these benefits at grocery stores to buy the food their families need.</p>
<p><strong>Can I still use left-over benefits from September in October?</strong><br />No, once retailers are blocked from accepting SNAP EBT benefits, previously issued benefits will not be accessible. Those benefits will become available once retailers are able to accept SNAP benefits again.</p>
<p><strong>Why didn’t the government prevent this?</strong><br />Without funding from Congress, USDA is required by law to ensure that it does not spend money it doesn’t have. The Obama Administration strongly believes that a lapse in funding should not occur. There is enough time for Congress to prevent it.</p>
<p><strong>Why can’t USDA pay for benefits using contingency funds?</strong><br />If Congress does not act to provide funding, USDA can use its limited contingency funds to provide some October SNAP benefits. However, USDA would be required by law to ensure that it does not incur obligations beyond the available funding. To avoid this, USDA would need to take steps to prevent retailers from accepting SNAP EBT benefits during the lapse.</p>
<p><strong>Should I use SNAP benefits I have now to stock up on food before the system goes down?</strong><br />SNAP benefits are currently available and will remain so through at least the first couple of days in October. Households may use those benefits to stock up on food now so they are prepared if SNAP benefits become inaccessible after the first couple of days in October.</p>
<p>However, some foods cannot be stored safely for long periods of time, while others can be stored safely, and households should take safe storage into consideration when making purchases to prepare for a period when they may not be able to use SNAP benefits. If households use up their benefits and the food goes bad because it wasn’t properly stored, they won’t have SNAP benefits available when the shutdown ends and the access to benefits is restored. More information about food safety and storing food is available at <a href="http://foodsafety.gov">Foodsafety.gov</a>.</p>
<p><strong>If Congress passes a budget after October 1, how long will it take for my benefits to return?</strong><br />Just as it will take a few days to block retailers from accepting SNAP EBT cards, it will take a few days to bring retailers back online so they can begin accepting SNAP EBT cards again. USDA will provide ongoing updates so that households, retailers, and states have information they need.</p>
<p><strong>Will my card stop working if Congress passes a last-minute budget?</strong><br />No. As long as there is no lapse in funding, retailers will continue to be able to accept SNAP benefits without interruption.</p>
<p><strong>Will my cash assistance/TANF/Unemployment/other benefits on my EBT card stop working as well?</strong><br />Some states provide other benefits, such as cash assistance through TANF, on the same EBT card used for SNAP. If Congress does not pass a budget and USDA must block retailers from accepting SNAP EBT benefits, these other benefits will <strong><u>not</u></strong> be affected. Families will be able to use cash benefits at stores and retrieve funds from ATM machines as they normally do.  WIC benefits will also continue to be available for use in stores.</p>
<p><strong>How do I check the balance for my SNAP benefits to know how much I have?</strong><br />Different states offer different ways to check your balance. However, a couple of easy ways are:</p>
<ul><li><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Check the SNAP balance on your last grocery receipt.</span></li>
<li>If your state provides information for your SNAP account on-line, sign in and check your balance on-line.</li>
<li>Call your <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt/pdfs/state-lines.pdf">state’s EBT customer service number</a> (<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt/pdfs/state-lines.pdf">http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt/pdfs/state-lines.pdf</a>). Customer service numbers for clients are located in the left column of the chart.</li>
<li>Call the toll-free number on the back of your EBT card.</li>
</ul><p><strong>What should I do if I need food right away?</strong><br />Contact your <a href="http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx">regional food bank</a> (<a href="http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx">http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx</a>) and ask for the nearest food distribution site. Or call your <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm">state’s information line</a> (<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm">http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm</a>) and ask for the nearest food pantry or food distribution site.</p>
<p><strong>I am a retailer. Should I expect an increase in SNAP customers at the end of September?</strong><br />Yes. As we approach the end of September and as the threat of a lapse in funding becomes more imminent, it is very likely that you will need additional stock to serve customers who are using up their September benefits to be prepared in the event of a shutdown. In addition, if Congress fails to provide funding, you may have a large increase in business from SNAP recipients for the first few days of October as customers will anticipate that their cards will soon not work.</p>
<p><strong>As a retailer, if the card readers stop working, can I process the transaction as I would during a routine outage?</strong><br />No. If USDA has to prevent retailers from using the SNAP EBT system, it means that funds are not available for SNAP purchases; you should not process any SNAP transactions until the system is back up and accepting and approving SNAP transactions. </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 25 Sep 2015 15:51:04 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"631955 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:55;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:93:"FNS Approves Hot Food Purchases in Select Areas in Response to the Valley Fires in California";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:51:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/ca-fires";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1629:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-09-25T00:00:00-04:00">09/25/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><h3>Special Disaster Rules for Accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT Benefits For Hot Food Purchases</h3>
<p>Due to the Valley Fires, and effective immediately, retail food stores licensed by the Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP benefits in the following counties may accept SNAP benefits in exchange for HOT foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises:</p>
<ul><li>Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and Yolo</li>
</ul><p>These special rules are in effect through October 24, 2015</p>
<p>When hot foods are purchased with SNAP EBT benefits through October 24, 2015, the purchases are NOT subject to sales tax, as the foods mentioned above are considered SNAP eligible during this period.</p>
<p>We encourage all SNAP authorized retail food stores in the above counties to post a special notice in the store letting SNAP customers know that they can use their SNAP EBT benefits to purchase hot foods and, where practical, may remain on the premises to consume those foods.</p>
<p>Thank you for your assistance in aiding those impacted by the Valley Fires.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 25 Sep 2015 18:32:15 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"631960 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:56;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:57:"USDA Awards Grants to Improve SNAP Processing, Technology";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-0008-15";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4594:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0008-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-09-16T00:00:00-04:00">09/16/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2015 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced $5 million in grants to state and local agencies and community partners to streamline application processing and improve technology in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The competitively-awarded grants will fund six projects in four states, improving efficiency in SNAP operations.</p>
<p>“The grants announced today will fund innovative projects that will help make the process of applying for benefits and determining eligibility more efficient for SNAP households and state agency staff,” Concannon said. “These projects will serve as a blueprint for improvement in other states, as well.”</p>
<p>USDA sought projects that help make the workflow process more efficient, incorporate technology improvements for client services, or reduce churning – when an eligible household exits and then re-enters the program within four months. Churning causes a break in nutrition benefits despite continued eligibility and at the same time requires redundant processing work by state staff. These initiatives will use modern solutions to address such administrative challenges, such as mobile applications, text message reminders, and online portals, or examine and revise office procedures to shorten application processing times for initial applications or re-certifications.</p>
<p>The Process and Technology Improvement Grants target state agencies, community- or faith-based organizations, public health or educational entities, and food banks. Awardees and grant amounts are:</p>
<ul><li>New Jersey Department of Human Services - $1,445,528</li>
<li>SC Thrive in South Carolina - $911,386</li>
<li>California Statewide Automated Welfare System Consortium IV - $853,326</li>
<li>New York City Human Resources Administration Department of Social Services  - $1,548,065</li>
<li>Jefferson County (New York) Department of Social Services - $141,716</li>
<li>Yolo County (California) Department of Employment and Social Services - $99,979</li>
</ul><p>For more information about these projects, please visit the <a href="/snap/snap-program-improvement">SNAP Program Improvement website</a>.</p>
<p>SNAP-administering agencies in the 50 states, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia and their partners were eligible to compete for the grants, which are not to exceed three years.</p>
<p>“As a key component of the nation’s nutrition assistance safety net, SNAP is a vital program that helps Americans in need put food on the table,” Concannon said, “and USDA is committed to ensuring that hard-earned taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently.”</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="/snap" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="/wic" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 16 Sep 2015 19:10:46 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"573567 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:57;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:175:"New Report Shows Farm to School Grants Have Increased Likelihood that 6.9 Million Kids Will Eat More Healthy Food at School, Created New Local Market Opportunities for Farmers";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/025115";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5815:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0251.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-09-11T00:00:00-04:00">09/11/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2015 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the release of a <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/f2s/F2S_Grant_Summary_Report.pdf" id="anch_123" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">new report</a> that shows that USDA's Farm to School Grant Program, established and funded through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, has helped 12,300 schools improve nutritious meal options made with local ingredients for 6.9 million students, while expanding market opportunities for family farmers and ranchers in their communities. Recent studies published in <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621303/" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><i>Childhood Obesity</i></a> and <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1499404614004953" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window."><i>Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior</i></a> indicate that strong farm to school programs can impact consumption of fruits and vegetables, leading to reductions in plate waste.</p>
<p>"Farm to school partnerships have a proven track record of encouraging kids to eat more healthy foods and creating new market opportunities for the farmers that grow them," said Vilsack. "Congress should act quickly to reauthorize the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to build on the success of farm to school and the healthier school meals and continue our momentum towards a healthier next generation of Americans."</p>
<p>Through its <a href="/farmtoschool/farm-school-grant-program" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School Grant Program</a>, USDA has awarded 221 grants in 49 States, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands over the past three years. Fifty percent of funded projects included expanding healthy menu options offered in the cafeteria; 46 percent included training for food service staff about menu planning, meal preparation, and cooking with local and regional foods; and 65 percent included nutrition education activities. Forty percent of farm to school grants were awarded to rural schools or districts, and 38 percent of grants were distributed in <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE" id="anch_127">StrikeForce states and territories</a> to address challenges associated with rural poverty.</p>
<p>Nationwide, more than 40,300 schools have farm to school programs that impact 23.5 million children. According to USDA's first-ever <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/" id="anch_128" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School Census</a>, released in 2014, school districts participating in farm to school programs purchased and served over $385 million in local food in school year 2011-2012, with more than half of participating schools planning to increase their purchases of local food in the future. Later this fall, USDA will release updated Farm to School Census data.</p>
<p>Under the new standards, children are now eating healthier meals at schools. Farm to school programs are one of many tools and resources USDA offers to help schools successfully serve healthier meals. For example, USDA recently launched an initiative called <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/06/29/team-up-for-school-nutrition-success/" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Team Up for School Nutrition Success</a> that allows the schools that still face challenges to pair up and learn best practices from schools that are already successfully serving healthier meals. The program has provided training for more than 3,500 individuals and has been enthusiastically received by schools and school officials.</p>
<p>For the past three years, kids have eaten healthier breakfasts, lunches and snacks at school thanks to the bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which made the first meaningful improvements to the nutrition of foods and beverages served in cafeterias and sold in vending machines at schools in 30 years. Over 95 percent of schools report that they are successfully meeting the updated nutrition standards, and a <a href="http://ww2.wkkf.org/2015schoolfoodpoll/" id="anch_130" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">recent poll shows that more than eight in ten Americans support the healthier school meals</a>.</p>
<p>Factsheet: <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/09/0242.xml" id="anch_131">Schools Serving, Kids Eating Healthier School Meals Thanks to Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 11 Sep 2015 14:20:09 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"573432 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:58;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:83:"USDA Awards $8 Million to Support Healthier Foods in Schools and Child Care Centers";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/024515";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7886:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0245.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-09-08T00:00:00-04:00">09/08/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding over $8 million in grants to help school nutrition professionals better prepare healthy meals for their students. Approximately $2.6 million dollars in grants will support implementation of new national professional standards for all school nutrition employees who manage and operate the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" id="anch_123" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch</a> and <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program-sbp" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">School Breakfast Programs</a>, and $5.6 million will go to help states expand and enhance food service training programs and provide nutrition education in school, child care, and summer meal settings.</p>
<p>"For the past three years, kids have eaten healthier breakfasts, lunches and snacks at school thanks to the bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which made the first meaningful improvements to the nutrition of foods and beverages served in cafeterias and sold in vending machines in 30 years. Nearly all schools are successfully meeting the standards, and these grants part of our ongoing commitment to give states and schools the additional resources they need," said Vilsack. "Parents, teachers, principals, and school nutrition professionals want the best for their children. Together we can make sure we're giving our kids the healthy start in life they deserve."</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">The grants announced today add to the large </span><a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/08/17/back-to-school-back-to-healthier-school-meals/" id="anch_125" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">number of resources</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> that USDA provides to help schools serve healthier food options that meet updated nutrition standards, including </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/005915" id="anch_126" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">technical assistance</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, educational materials, and additional reimbursements. More than 95 percent of schools report that they are successfully meeting those nutrition standards, which were based on recommendations from pediatricians and other child health experts at the Institute of Medicine.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">In February, </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/fns-0002-15" id="anch_127" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">USDA announced national professional standards</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> for school nutrition employees that went into effect on July 1, 2015. These standards, which vary according to position and job requirements, ensure that school nutrition professionals have the training and skills they need to plan, prepare, purchase, and promote healthy meals. In addition to several built-in flexibilities intended to facilitate the first year of implementation and address the challenges faced by smaller school districts, USDA is providing a total of $2.6 million to 19 state agencies to develop and enhance existing trainings within their state that will allow school nutrition professionals to meet these standards. The Professional Standards Training Grants promote training in nutrition; operations; administration; and communications and marketing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">In addition, 19 states received a 2015 Team Nutrition Training Grant of up to $350,000 – $5.6 million in total – to support trainings that focus on encouraging healthy eating. Those efforts could include:</span></p>
<ul><li>using Smarter Lunchrooms strategies that use principles from behavioral economics to encourage healthy choices,</li>
<li>meeting meal pattern requirements for school meals,</li>
<li>delivering interactive nutrition education activities, and</li>
<li>providing schools and child care providers with technical assistance to create and maintain a healthier environment.</li>
</ul><p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">Grants activities must be sustainable and achieve measurable outcomes. For example, the Oregon Department of Education will use the grant funds to hold 10 Smarter Lunchroom workshops on strategies for arranging the lunchroom that promote healthy choices. As a result, at least 120 school food authorities and child nutrition program sponsors will receive training and follow-up assistance. A summary of previous years' grant activities by state can be found at the </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/team-nutrition-training-grants" id="anch_128" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Team Nutrition Training Grants website</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">The Team Nutrition Training Grants are awarded as part of USDA's </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/team-nutrition" id="anch_129" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Team Nutrition</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> initiative, which provides resources, training, and nutrition education lessons for schools and child care providers. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Team Nutrition initiative. In that time, Team Nutrition has provided nearly $90 million in grant funds to state agencies that implement USDA Child Nutrition Programs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America's nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 08 Sep 2015 20:15:40 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"573414 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:59;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:174:"Secretary Tom Vilsack Joins Key Leaders from American Academy of Pediatrics and Pew Charitable Trusts to Call on Congress to Reauthorize Strong Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/024615";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8002:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0246.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-09-08T00:00:00-04:00">09/08/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2015—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today delivered remarks at the National Press Club encouraging Congress to act quickly to reauthorize a strong Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and support the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/09/0242.xml" id="anch_123">ongoing success of the healthier meals now being served in schools across the country</a>. Vilsack was joined by American Academy of Pediatrics President Dr. Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP, and Jessica Donze Black, director of child nutrition at the Pew Charitable Trusts.</p>
<p>Below are excerpts from their remarks as delivered:</p>
<p><strong>Secretary Vilsack: </strong></p>
<p>"It's important for Congress to find a way to provide for reauthorization without taking a step back, for Congress to continue the commitment that it made in 2010 to a brighter and better future for our children. And I'm confident if they are able to do that, if they're able to find a way to reauthorize, to provide additional resources, to do the right thing by this law, it [the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act] will do the right thing by our children. In turn, we'll have a generation of healthier and happier kids who will grow up—many of them will want to serve their country bravely and heroically around the world, others will contribute to a growing economy, and most will not be faced with chronic diseases that will cripple their ability to be productive."</p>
<p><strong>Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics: </strong></p>
<p>"I see children with obesity, have for 27 years, who have the health profiles of sick, middle-aged adults. They have high cholesterol, they have liver disease, they have sleep apnea, they have orthopedic problems, they have Type 2 diabetes. […] This is a nutritional problem that reaches down into our youngest children. And since children typically consume more than half of their calories at school, we really have an obligation to ensure that those school meals are as healthy as possible. Just like we vaccinate to prevent illness, we can also vaccinate against chronic disease by providing children with nutritious foods in schools."</p>
<p><strong>Jessica Donze Black, director of child nutrition at the Pew Charitable Trusts: </strong></p>
<p>"Child Nutrition Reauthorization provides a tremendous opportunity for Congress to continue to build on the recent progress and ensure that every child has access to the healthy food they need to learn and succeed. The nation's $16 billion annual investment in school meals is a crucial catalyst to help the next generation thrive and succeed while establishing healthy habits for a lifetime. Spending these taxpayer dollars on nutritious meals remains a wise investment in the future of our children and in that of our nation."</p>
<p>During his remarks, Vilsack addressed five myths about the healthier school meals:</p>
<p><em>Myth: Participation is down. </em></p>
<p>Fact: Total breakfast participation increased by 380,000 students from FY2013 to FY2014 and has increased by more than 3 million students since 2008. The Community Eligibility Provision under the HHFKA has been successfully implemented in over 14,000 schools and has led to substantially higher program participation – on average, a 9 percent increase in school breakfast participation and 5 percent increase in school lunch. USDA has also received reports from many schools indicating a positive response to healthier offerings and increased participation.</p>
<p><em>Myth: Serving healthy foods is too expensive. </em></p>
<p>Fact: A USDA analysis suggests that last year, schools saw a net nationwide increase in revenue from school lunches of approximately $450 million. Ninety-five percent of school districts are now meeting the standards and receiving an additional 6 cents reimbursement per meal. In addition, USDA has provided $90 million in additional resources to help states and schools implement the school nutrition standards—yet, $28 million of those resources remain unspent and available to states and schools who need them. <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/09/0245.xml" id="anch_124">And today, USDA announced more than $8 million in additional resources to help school nutrition professionals better prepare healthy meals for their students</a>.</p>
<p><em>Myth: Food waste has increased under the new standards. </em></p>
<p>Fact: A <a href="http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/chi.2015.0019">study</a> released in March 2015 by the University of Connecticut's Rudd Center for Food Policy &amp; Obesity shows that students are eating more nutritious foods and discarding less of their lunches under the healthier standards. Kids ate 13 percent more of their entrees and nearly 20 percent more of their vegetables in 2014 than in 2012, which means that less food is ending up in the trash today than before the national standards were updated.</p>
<p><em>Myth: It's too difficult for schools to serve healthier meals. </em></p>
<p>Fact: USDA has and will continue to listen to stakeholders and provide guidance and flexibilities, as appropriate, to help schools and students adapt to the updated requirements. Early in the implementation process for school meals, when schools asked for flexibility to serve larger servings of grains and proteins within the overall calorie caps, USDA responded. In January of 2014, that flexibility was made permanent. USDA is also phasing other requirements in over the next several years. And hearing schools' concerns on the lack of availability of whole grain products, USDA is allowing schools that have demonstrated difficulty in obtaining adequate whole grain items to submit a request to the States to use some traditional products for an additional two years while industry works to create better whole grain products.</p>
<p><em>Myth: This doesn't have broad public support. </em></p>
<p>Fact: A recent <a href="http://ww2.wkkf.org/2015schoolfoodpoll/">poll</a> by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation shows that more than 80 percent of Americans believe the healthier school meals should stay the same or be strengthened. A September 2014 <a href="http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2014/parents-support-healthier-school-food-standards">poll</a> released by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Heart Association shows that 72 percent of parents favor strong nutrition standards for school meals and 91 percent support serving fruits or vegetables with every meal.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 09 Sep 2015 13:47:40 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"573415 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:60;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:95:"Transcript - National Press Club Newsmaker News Conference on National Child Nutrition Strategy";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/024715";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:36380:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0247.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-09-08T00:00:00-04:00">09/08/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Speakers: Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Dr. Sandra Hassink, M.D., FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics; and Jessica Donze Black, Director of Child Nutrition, Pew Charitable Trusts</p>
<p>Moderated by Anthony E. Gallo, Newsmaker Committee, National Press Club</p>
<p>Tuesday, September 8, 2015</p>
<p><b>MR. GALLO:</b> Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the National Press Club, the world's largest and oldest organization for professional journalists and communicators. The subject today is child nutrition, and we have three people to whom this subject is very important: the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, the president of the national pediatric association, and the director of nutrition research at the Pew Charitable Trusts. I am going to briefly introduce all three of them.</p>
<p>Tom Vilsack is the 30th Secretary of Agriculture. As a native Pittsburgher and alumnus of the Agriculture Department, I am very proud to introduce Pittsburgh's first-born, native-born Secretary of Agriculture. I believe that's correct. He is a graduate of Hamilton College, which I believe has its first Secretary of Agriculture, and Shady Side Academy, which surely has its first Secretary of Agriculture. Mr. Vilsack is quite distinct. He is the longest-serving member of the Obama administration. That's quite a feat. And during his Administration, we have seen a record increase in agricultural exports. He's instituted very top food safety regulations. He has enrolled the highest number of acres in the National Conservation Program, and he has worked at revitalizing the U.S. economy. Before being the Secretary of Agriculture, he was the accomplished governor of the great farm state of Iowa, and he even ran for president once upon a time.</p>
<p>Dr. Sandy Hassink-she prefers to be called "Sandy"-is the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. So, therefore, she is very interested in children's health. She is with the DuPont Children's Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.</p>
<p>Jessica Donze Black is head of research and nutrition research at the Pew Charitable Trust.</p>
<p>With that, I have spoken long enough, and we will begin with our speakers. We will have 30 minutes or so for questions and answers. So, with that, shall we begin with you, Jessica, and then you-with Sandy, Jessica, and then Secretary Vilsack.</p>
<p>[Applause.]</p>
<p><b>DR. HASSINK: </b>Well, good afternoon, everyone. We could have begun with Jessica. Jessica and I actually go back, way back. When I was first starting my clinical practice, Jessica was my nutritionist in clinic with me, so we go way far back in our interest in child nutrition, so thank you, Tony, and thank you, Secretary, for inviting me to join you all today in talking about an interest very close to my heart, which is child health and child health and nutrition. And there could be nothing more important that we could be talking about today than child health.</p>
<p>And I began my clinic 27 years ago at Nemours Children's Hospital for children with obesity long before obesity was on anybody's radar screen and long before we realized that we couldn't afford to take child nutrition for granted and its impact on child health for granted. We used to take it for granted. We used to just assume nutrition-children would be well nourished and they'd come to the physician, and I would try to take care of their health. And what's happening today is children are not well nourished. They're coming to physicians and pediatricians like me and my 64,000 colleagues, overweight with obesity, with food insecurity, not well nourished, and it makes our job so much harder in trying to help them achieve their optimal health.</p>
<p>And we've been very focused this year on thinking about what is optimal health for all our children and what are the foundations of health that every child in this country needs, and we start that foundation with sound and optimal nutrition. And every child needs that to succeed. Every child needs stable, nurturing, loving relationships in their family, early child care education in school to succeed, and every child needs a safe and healthy environment and community to live in to succeed and achieve their optimal health and well-being.</p>
<p>So meeting these foundational needs is fundamental to child health, and pediatricians have been stepping beyond the walls of their clinic to engage in the community and their state and like me in federal policy to ensure those foundations for child health. And these foundational elements are often intertwined, and when we fail to meet them, we shortchange our children, and we shortchange them in terms of their ability to contribute to our communities and our society in their full optimal health and potential.</p>
<p>And the earlier we start addressing these fundamental needs, the better we are, and so research has shown that the nutrition beginning before pregnancy and during pregnancy and during childhood and optimal nutrition really results in support of the rapid physical, cognitive, and social development that children undergo in those early years. And so children who are well nourished early in life have healthier brain development. They have higher IQs. They have stronger immune systems. They have better educational attainment than those who are not well nourished.</p>
<p>And children-and I almost hate to say these words-children who are malnourished, who have food insecurity-and we have those children in this country-during this critical time period have health problems, and also food insecurity itself is a stressor on a family and a child, and that toxic stress can compromise their physical, mental, and social health and well-being into adulthood.</p>
<p>In the coming weeks, Congress will have the opportunity to build a strong foundation and continue to build that foundation of sound nutrition for every child as it prepares to reauthorize several child nutrition programs. As pediatricians, we are here, and I am here, to remind our federal leaders of the importance of these programs and the importance they play in keeping our children and families healthy.</p>
<p>And in order to set this stage for a lifetime of good health and success, we must ensure that our youngest children and their mothers have access to nutritious foods, and this is not a trivial problem. And it's integrally related to their good health. So the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, does just that. WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and social services for millions of low-income women and children and infants and young children who are determined to be nutritionally at risk. And we can't overemphasize the importance of this.</p>
<p>WIC has received strong bipartisan support for the past 40 years, and rightly so, and has demonstrated positive health effects. Children who participate in WIC have improved birth outcomes, increased rates of immunizations, better access to health care through medical homes, and they even have reduced rates of childhood obesity. Who does not want that, and who does not want that contribution to the health of our population? And this link to breastfeeding counseling and its link with Medicaid, a health insurance program, is so important and ensures that millions of moms and babies have access to nutritious foods and health support.</p>
<p>But the importance of sound nutrition doesn't end with infancy or at age 5. Important nutrition throughout life is essential to maintaining health, and we are now in the midst of a nutritional epidemic characterized by high rates of overweight and obesity, food insecurity, and hunger. And nearly one in three school-age children and adolescents has overweight or obesity. That has its roots in nutrition, and only half of all children age 2 to 17 meet federal dietary quality standards. This is not really acceptable for us as a community, us as a society.</p>
<p>I see children with obesity-and have for 27 years-who have the health profiles of sick middle-aged adults. They have high cholesterol. They have liver disease. They have sleep apnea. They have orthopedic problems. They have type 2 diabetes. The youngest child we had in clinic with type 2 diabetes was age 8. We have 4-year-olds with liver disease based on their obesity. This is a nutritional problem that reaches down into our youngest children, and since children typically consume up to half their calories in school, we really have an obligation to ensure that those school meals are as healthy as possible. Just like we vaccinate to prevent illness, we can also vaccinate against chronic disease by providing children with nutritious foods in schools and make our schools role models of good nutrition.</p>
<p>Five years ago, Congress made great strides in addressing the nutritional needs of children through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, and I stood there at the press conference when that law was initiated. These science-based nutritional updates ensure that all children who eat school meals have access to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and the appropriate amount of sodium.</p>
<p>The impact of these changes will not be realized overnight, but we know schools are doing well. Over 95 percent of schools are meeting these requirements, and 9 out of 10 people in our country support these requirements. Parents are counting on schools to be good role models and provide nutritious and healthy foods, and in the past four years, there's been a significant increase in the schools that serve fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and our schools are healthier than ever. And we need to build upon the success that we've had and make sure that our children continue to have access to healthy meals throughout the day.</p>
<p>It's important to remember as we say this that one in five children in our country live in households where food is scarce. One in five children in our country live in households where food is scarce. We have children that were going to school hungry; that in the snow days that we had in the Northeast, children were hungry those days because they didn't have access to school programs. These children who are hungry have difficulty in learning and are more likely to experience education, health, and behavior problems as a result of this.</p>
<p>And we know that there are also high rates of obesity found in our lowest income populations, and the challenge for our low-income families today in this modern food environment is access to healthy food and having dependable access to high-quality healthy food. We have a double burden in this country, and the double burden is that of obesity, overweight, and food insecurity affecting nearly 50 percent of our children. We can fix this, and we are fixing this.</p>
<p>We can't forget about after-school meals and summer feeding programs and the child and adult care food programs that help children have access to nutrition and good nutrition any time of day and any season of the year.</p>
<p>We still have work to do when it comes to meeting our children's needs for sound nutrition, and an upcoming child nutrition reauthorization is an opportunity for our country to take another step in the right direction.</p>
<p>We know our leaders in Congress are working hard on a bipartisan basis to keep our child nutrition program strong and build upon these strong foundations. The AAP hopes these efforts continue and that we move one step closer to reauthorizing these important programs for children.</p>
<p>I want to thank Secretary Vilsack again for inviting me to speak about a topic that couldn't be more important, and it's the health of our children in this country. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>[Applause.]</p>
<p><b>MS. BLACK:</b> Well, thank you, Dr. Hassink, for that impassioned speech, and it's really an honor to be with you here today. Thank you, Secretary Vilsack, for having this event and for inviting us to join you, and thank you, Tony, for being here with us today to talk about something that couldn't be more important, which is the health of our kids.</p>
<p>It's the day after Labor Day, and as many happy parents will tell you, that means that nearly every school-age child is back in school as of today, and the great story in that is that virtually all those students are walking into schools that are healthier than they might have been several years ago. That goes for pre-kindergarteners up through high school students, for the 30 million young people who are getting a school meal today, and for their classmates who are packing lunches but may be buying food from the a la carte line or from vending machines and observing what kids are eating throughout the school. All across the campus and especially in the biggest of classrooms, the cafeteria, every child is being greeted by nutritious choices and consistent messages that support healthy bodies, minds, and habits, habits that will hopefully help them avoid the pitfalls of previous generations where now nearly 70 percent of adults are either overweight or obese.</p>
<p>Due to both updated school nutrition standards issued by the United States Department of Agriculture and the hard work of thousands of professionals working at the local level, school meals are healthier than ever. One of the best examples is the focus on fruits and vegetables. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data demonstrates that 60 percent of children do not get adequate servings of fruit, and 93 percent do not get adequate servings of vegetables. Yet before the updated nutrition standards, fruits and vegetables were not necessarily included in every lunch or breakfast, and up to 40 percent of schools didn't necessarily have fresh fruits and vegetables available on a daily basis. Today, every school breakfast and lunch includes a serving of fruits and vegetables. Most schools have increased their variety of fruit and vegetables offerings, and nearly a third of schools even have self-serve salad bars. The result of this progress is that students in nearly every school, not just exceptional schools, have healthier options every day.</p>
<p>According to research from Bridging the Gap, before the updated school meal standards, teenagers at larger high schools were more than three times as likely than their peers in smaller schools to have both fruit and vegetable options available. Similarly, middle school students, middle schools with predominantly white enrollments, were more than twice as likely as racially and ethnically diverse schools to have fruits, vegetables, and whole grains available each day. Today, smaller and more diverse schools have increased their offering of these nutritious foods, enough to close those gaps, but this isn't just about serving healthier foods. Multiple studies have also shown that children's eating habits are changing for the better too.</p>
<p>For instance, research by the Rudd Center, published in March, measured what middle school students chose and ate before updated lunch standards and after updated lunch standards. The results showed that with healthier meals, more students were choosing fruit and vegetables. They consumed more of their entrees in vegetables and overall increased their nutrient intake without increasing plate waste. Given these benefits, it's little surprise that voters with children in public schools want to preserve the policies driving the progress.</p>
<p>More than 7 in 10 of parents support the current nutrition standards according to the national poll released jointly by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the American Heart Association in 2014. And given the tremendous progress already made and the effort already invested, the road forward should focus on maintaining healthier food standards already implemented by nearly all schools, while providing effective assistance to those districts that are encountering obstacles.</p>
<p>Continuing to provide children with healthy food is not without its challenges, as many school nutrition directors are essentially running the largest restaurant in their communities and having to impress the same customers and not the easiest of customers with healthy meals prepared on a limited budget every single day, but these challenges can be overcome, as thousands of school nutrition professionals are demonstrating, and they are worth overcoming.</p>
<p>For instance, when the updated meal standards took effect in 2012, Pew surveyed school meal program administrators nationwide and found that 88 percent of districts said they needed at least one piece of new kitchen equipment to serve healthier meals such as baked rather than fried chicken and potatoes, with greater variety of fruits and vegetables. Likewise, almost two-thirds of districts reported staff training needs, but only 37 percent said they had adequate budgets to provide that training. Many districts have been able to address some of these needs, thanks to Congress' dedication of funds for equipment grants in annual appropriations bills over the last few years, and USDA and many state agencies have worked to address the training needs via programs such as Team Up and other innovative strategies within the states.</p>
<p>Looking forward, a bipartisan group of House and Senate leaders have introduced legislation that would accelerate this momentum by giving schools easier access to the tools and workforce training they need to run healthy, successful meal programs. Their bill, the School Food Modernization Act, would allow schools to better plan and make investments in food service equipment and professional development for nutrition staff.</p>
<p>Child nutrition reauthorization provides a tremendous opportunity for Congress to continue to build on the recent progress and ensure that every child has access to the healthy food they need to learn and succeed. The nation's $16 billion annual investment in school meals is a crucial catalyst to help the next generation thrive and succeed while establishing healthy habits for a lifetime. Spending these taxpayer dollars on nutritious meals remains a wise investment in the future of our children and in that of our nation.</p>
<p>[Applause.]</p>
<p><b>SECRETARY VILSACK: </b>Jessica, thank you very much, and certainly thanks to the Pew Charitable Trusts for their extraordinary commitment to child nutrition and to the work of our efforts to improve child nutrition. We could not be where we are without its commitment. And, Doctor, I want to thank you and pediatricians all across the United States for lending your voice and your energy to this effort. You have been a tireless champion for youngsters throughout the last couple of years, and certainly have appreciated the role that pediatricians are playing in making sure that people around the country understand and appreciate how important this issue is to the children of this country. Tony, thanks very much to the Press Club for giving us this forum.</p>
<p>The two previous speakers did such a great job of explaining why this is important and talking a little bit about the acceptance of these new standards, that it's a little difficult to follow them. But what I thought I would do is, first of all, reiterate the importance of this and then perhaps respond to some of the concerns that have been expressed over the last couple of years about the program so that folks understand that now is not the time to roll back these standards. Now is the time to commit for a continued forward movement with reference to these standards.</p>
<p>Dr. Hassink did a terrific job of explaining the health care consequences of obesity and food insecurity, but I would suggest to you that in addition to the health care consequences, there is also the issue of economic competitiveness. Our country is now facing a global competition for economic opportunity. In order for us to achieve success in that global competition, we're going to need every person in this country working and producing at their God-given ability. The reality is that if you are food insecure, if you're hungry, if you're concerned about your self-image in schools, you're not going to be the learner and the student you intended to be. You won't be as productive in school. You won't achieve as much in school, and the result is that you may very well not be as productive as you could be as a citizen for this country in the future. So I think our economic competitiveness in part is dependent on our ability to stay the course with reference to school nutrition and the child nutrition programs.</p>
<p>If there were admirals and generals here from the military, I'm sure they would say that they are deeply concerned about the condition of our military and its readiness to meet the challenges globally from a national security perspective. Why would they express that concern, and why are admirals and generals who are retired from mission readiness now making that case? Because they know how few young people today are physically fit for military service. Around 25 percent of youngsters 19 to 24 years of age are fit for military service. A principal reason for that low percentage is the fact that the other 75 percent are not physically fit to do the hard work, the manual labor that is associated with defending this country. So it's not just economic security. It's not just health care. It's not just student achievement. It's also national security and the ability of this country to continue to have a pool of dedicated young people who are fit for military service. So this is an important discussion we are having here today. It's an important discussion that Congress will continue to have as it gets back to work today and, as Jessica indicated, as youngsters get back to school, their work today.</p>
<p>Now, I've heard a lot of reasons why it's necessary for us to slow down, to take a step back, to roll back some of these standards, and I want to address several of them today. One of the concerns I heard is that participation is down. Participation is down, and therefore-therefore, there must be a reason for us to roll back, to reduce the standards, to make it a little bit easier for folks. Well, the reality is that school breakfast participation is actually up, which is a positive sign. We're seeing literally now 13 million school breakfast meals served a day, and we know how important that first meal of the day can be.</p>
<p>Secondly, free and reduced lunch student participation is actually up over the last several years. What's down is paid lunch, and that actually didn't start with the imposition of the new standards. That actually occurred several years before the standards were enacted in large part, I suspect, because of the economic realities that we faced. The reality is that we are looking at USDA trying to make it easier for students to participate in this program with community eligibility, which was part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. In those school districts where there are significantly high members of the student body that are free and reduced lunch, then we're making it a little bit easier from an administrative standpoint for schools to participate in the program, but for students to be able to all participate. We think that that will increase numbers.</p>
<p>We know that some of the school districts that dropped out of the program initially are now returning because they realize that, indeed, it wasn't as simple as they thought leaving the program, and we're also simplifying the application process to make it a little bit easier for that third grader to get the information to mom and dad and get it back to the school so that folks can participate.</p>
<p>So there are many reasons why I'm not convinced that participation rates down in the fully paid meal category are a reaction to the school standards and the meal standards, especially given the fact that we see breakfast numbers up and free and reduced numbers up significantly.</p>
<p>Then there's the issue of money. I hear from folks that, "Well, this is just too expensive. It's too difficult for us to do." Well, the fact is that 95 percent of school districts across the country have embraced these standards and are certified as being in compliance, and as a result, they received the six cents additional reimbursement rate that the law allowed.</p>
<p>In addition, we provided $90 million at the beginning of this effort several years ago in implementation resources to states. The sad reality is that still, today, 28 million of those dollars have been unspent by states, so if, indeed, there is an issue with money, then we'd strongly encourage those school districts in the states that have not fully utilized that implementation money to ask for assistance and help from their governor and their state legislature. The reality is 450 million additional dollars is going into the system today. We have also provided school districts the ability to readjust the paid meal rate because the reality was that many schools were subsidizing that paid meal rate at the expense of the rest of the program, and of course, we would encourage schools not to necessarily dip into the school nutrition budget to pay for other aspects of the school budget needs. The reality is that is happening in many school districts across the United States.</p>
<p>So this isn't an issue of money, and in fact, today, we are going to provide additional resources. Jessica mentioned the importance of standards and training and assistance in adopting new strategies. Today, we announced an additional $8 million as part of the Team Up program to 19 different state agencies in states. $2.6 million is going to be provided to assist those states in upgrading the professional standards of the folks who are working in those kitchens and in those cafeterias. That is an extraordinarily important component. We want to partner with schools to make sure that we have the highest level of professionalism in those cafeterias, and we know how important that is to school nutrition personnel. We are also providing 5.6 million additional dollars for our Smarter Lunchroom strategy effort, up to $350,000 going to states to assist them in providing resources, to embrace research-based ideas as to how you might encourage more participation in more fruit and vegetable consumption, for example. There are a lot of interesting strategies that can be used in the cafeteria, and this resource will provide folks the opportunity to access those strategies. So it can't be money. It can't be participation rate.</p>
<p>There's a lot of food waste. There was a recent study from Vermont that suggested that food waste was significant as a result of new school standards. Well, this is counter to a number of other studies, including the one at the University of Connecticut, the Rudd study which Jessica mentioned. The University of California at Berkeley had a study. The Harvard Public Health School had a study. CDC also recently had a study that suggested more fruits and vegetables were being consumed, more entrees are being consumed, and indeed plate waste is not any greater than it was before.</p>
<p>Now, plate waste is an issue around the entire United States, but it's not increased as a result of these school meals. And the Vermont study, let's put it in context. It was two schools out of over 99,000 schools and child care facilities that participate in the school lunch and school breakfast program, two schools out of 99,000.</p>
<p>There's been acceptance by schools at the 95 percent rate. Jessica mentioned a survey of parents showing strong support for this effort and in fact surveys that the kids also reflect an acceptance of these meal standards. So the reality is that that can't be the reason why we're having this conversation about rolling back or taking a step back.</p>
<p>Well, it's that it's really hard to do this. It's hard to get the sodium down. It's hard to get the fat content out. It's hard to reduce the sugar. We just can't reformulate, and in some cases, that's a legitimate argument, which is why we have provided flexibility, provided additional time to be able to allow the food processing companies to adjust to these new standards. And the good news is they are in fact doing that. We have provided flexibility, but the industry is stepping up. They have a can-do attitude, and we want to encourage that. We don't want to discourage it.</p>
<p>I spent an interesting time recently at the McCormick facility, the research facility in Baltimore. Now, this is a company obviously that's in the business of providing spices, but I had one of the best meals I have ever eaten, which was within the calorie content limit of the nutrition standards that met the sodium levels, that met the sugar levels, that met the whole grain levels, and it was deliciously prepared. And the reality is I think what these new standards provide is an extraordinary opportunity for creativity, and indeed, we need to provide the tools for that creativity, which is why we have supported the school equipment grant program, continuing to ask Congress to increase its commitment to that program. $185 million has already been granted. We obviously look for additional increases to meet the needs that we know are out there and know that if we meet those equipment needs, then we are freeing up folks at the local level to be creative.</p>
<p>We have invited chefs to schools. We have created menu contests, all of which design to provide help and assistance, and the reality is that we recognize that some school districts indeed do have a difficult time. It is a small, small, small percentage of school districts, but nevertheless an important component of this, which is why we established the Team Up for Success Program. It was designed to establish a relationship between struggling schools and succeeding schools similarly situated. If you're a rural school and you're having a hard time because your student numbers, your population numbers are down, your state aid may not be as great as it once was, you're struggling with that budget overall, and that cafeteria is having a hard time, we want to pair you up with a similarly situated rural school that has figured out how to do this, giving you the best procurement options, giving you a way of understanding what may be produced and available from a local and regional food system perspective, from our Farm to School program. We want to provide you with technical assistance. We want to provide you a mentoring relationship that will allow you to pick up the phone and call a colleague across the country who is similarly situated and ask how did you handle this particular circumstance and situation. And we know from the initial reaction to our efforts with Team Up for Success that it is indeed working. We have seen a great acceptance of this, and we have now expanded this beyond our initial effort in the Deep South to include every region of the country, and with the help of Mississippi State and their Nutrition Center, the work that Cornell is doing in their Nutrition Center, we are providing up-to-date information so that, indeed, every school district has a pathway to success. That's the answer.</p>
<p>The answer is not creating an opportunity, an excuse for us to move back off of these standards. The answer is not rolling back the standards. The answer is not saying to the food processing industry, "You can't do this." The answer is having the confidence and faith in the industry to be able to do it. Why? Because it's so important. It's so important.</p>
<p>Now, there may be folks out there who don't like the idea that the Federal Government is establishing nutrition standards, but the reality is 9 out of 10 members of the public in this country believe it's appropriate for the Federal Government to establish standards. Why? Because our kids are important. Our kids' future is important. It is tied directly to our country's future.</p>
<p>I understand and appreciate how serious this issue is when the doctor talks about food insecurity and talks about obesity, and I suspect that everyone in this audience and everyone who may be listening to this or seeing this may also have a circumstance out of their own life that they could allude to. But, in my case, it was a circumstance and situation of being overweight. I was adopted into a family where my mom struggled with alcohol and prescription drug abuse, and my reaction to that stress was to eat. And my parents were so concerned about my weight that they put a cartoon of a grossly overweight young person with a little beanie cap, and his stomach was extending beyond his belt. His belt buckle was exploding, and his pants were falling off because he was so overweight. And they put that on the refrigerator to remind me not to go into that refrigerator to eat.</p>
<p>It's tough when you're faced with that kind of situation at home, and you're faced with the bullying and being made fun of at school. It's tough to expect that student to sit down and be an A or B or C student, to want to go to school, to feel accepted at school, to understand the significance and importance of the education to their future and their country's future. It's mighty tough.</p>
<p>So, to the extent that we can help parents, to the extent that we can help grandparents, to the extent that we can help foster parents do what they want to be able to do for their child, to be able to provide them advice and direction and assistance and help at school where nearly a third to a half calories are consumed, to ensure that there's a summer feeding program there for those days when school is not in session, to work with a backpack program for weekends, to understand the significance and importance of the WIC program for very, very young children and young parents who are trying to do the right thing by starting their child on the proper nutrition path, that's what this law is about. That's what this discussion is about. That's how important this is, which is why it's important for Congress to find a way to provide for reauthorization without taking a step back, for Congress to continue the commitment that it made in 2010 to a brighter and better future for our children, and I'm confident that if they are able to do that, if they are able to find a way to reauthorize, to provide additional resources, to do the right thing by this law, it will do the right thing by our children. And, in turn, we'll have a generation of healthier and happier kids who will grow up. Many of them will want to serve their country bravely and heroically around the world. Others will contribute to a growing economy, and most will not be faced with chronic diseases that will cripple their ability to be productive.</p>
<p>That's what this debate is about. That's why it's important. That's why pediatricians support it, and that's why charitable organizations are behind it. And that's why we at USDA will continue to press forward on the important changes that were made with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and continue to urge Congress to do the right thing for our kids. </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 09 Sep 2015 13:57:41 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"573416 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:61;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:99:"USDA Continues to Support and Help Schools Serve Healthier Meals  Heading into the 2015 School Year";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/022815";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5858:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0228.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-08-17T00:00:00-04:00">08/17/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2015 – In preparation for the 2015 school year, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Kevin Concannon, encourages schools to maintain momentum and continue striving toward a healthier generation by offering nutritious, balanced meals to all students.</p>
<p>“I applaud our partners and school foodservice staff for all the hard work they do to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the nation’s children. School audits and data show that more than 95 percent of schools are successfully meeting the updated meal standards,” said Undersecretary Concannon. “This school year we will work together to continue making historic steps, ensuring that the healthy choice for students is the easy choice in schools. USDA is committed to helping school meal programs fulfill their highest potential, and we look forward to this upcoming school year and the promise it offers for our nation’s youth.”</p>
<p>In the coming year, USDA will continue to make access to nutritious food in high-poverty communities a priority. Across the country, schools and districts of all sizes have successfully implemented the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and many are seeing increased participation in the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp">National School Lunch</a> Program (NSLP) and <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program-sbp">School Breakfast</a> Program (SBP), and serving more meals than in previous years. CEP allows low-income districts or schools the option to eliminate household applications for free and reduced price meals and provide meals at no cost to all students. This greatly reduces administrative burden on schools and eliminates stigma associated with free or reduced priced meals.</p>
<p>In the first year of nationwide CEP implementation, over 14,000 schools in high-poverty areas offered nutritious meals at no cost to more than 6.8 million students. An evaluation of schools that implemented CEP experienced average increases in participation of nine percent in school breakfast and five percent in school lunch. Research has shown that students who consume breakfast make greater strides on standardized tests, pay attention and behave better in class, and are less frequently tardy, absent or visiting the nurse’s office.</p>
<p>Heading into school year 2015-16, schools or districts in all 50 states and the District of Columbia will participate in CEP. USDA is committed to ensuring those schools have the support they need to be successful and other eligible schools have all the information to make an informed decision about joining the program.</p>
<p>Recent research shows that some schools need more training to maximize the benefits of the updated meal standards. USDA’s <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/005915">Team Up for School Nutrition Success</a> initiative, launched in November 2014, aims to give schools the opportunity to learn from each other on topics such as financial stability and strong student participation. This school year, USDA will expand the effort to include “Train the Trainer” instruction to develop more mentors at the state and local level who can provide personalized support. </p>
<p>In addition, USDA’s “<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools">Tools for Schools</a>” online toolkit has several resources, including recipes and tips for good procurement practices, that states and school nutrition professionals can reference to help offer healthier and more appealing meals and snacks that meet the nutrition standards. As in previous school years, USDA will continue to listen to stakeholders throughout this school year and provide assistance as needed to help schools continue the progress they have made in serving nutritious food to students. USDA has also provided flexibilities, technical assistance, and grants to help schools succeed.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to NSLP and SBP, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p align="center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:49:05 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"542795 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:62;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:77:"Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Joins USDA Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/022715";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4548:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0227.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-08-07T00:00:00-04:00">08/07/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will become the 52nd state agency to operate the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The program is part of <a href="/pressrelease/2015/020215" id="anch_123">USDA's efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of seniors</a>, ensuring that all older Americans have access to healthy food.</p>
<p>"Seniors represent a particularly vulnerable demographic to food insecurity, with unique health, social, and nutrition challenges," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "This issue has a particular importance for seniors living in rural areas, as America's rural population is older than the nation overall and rural seniors experience higher poverty than seniors nationwide. The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is one way USDA is working to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults, ensuring that all older Americans have access to healthy food."</p>
<p>The program provides access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to at least 800,000 low-income older Americans in 43 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and with the addition of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, eight Indian Tribal Organizations. In fiscal year 2014, SFMNP coupons for fresh produce were accepted by over 20,000 farmers at farmers markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs.</p>
<p>Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support farmers and help grow rural economies. The SFMNP benefits local farmers by increasing the sustainability of the land and of the local economy through bringing additional customers to their markets.</p>
<p>In partnership with other local organizations, the program also provides nutrition education to encourage recipients to improve and expand their diets by adding fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as educate them on how to select, store and prepare the fresh fruits and vegetables they buy with their SFMNP coupons.</p>
<p>For more information about the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, please visit: <a href="/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program-sfmnp" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program-sfmnp</a>.</p>
<p>The SFMNP was reauthorized as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and saving billions of taxpayer dollars. To date, USDA has implemented many provisions of this crucial legislation, providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.usda.gov/farmbill" id="anch_125">www.usda.gov/farmbill</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:18:04 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"527031 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:63;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:65:"USDA Recognizes WIC Agencies for Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/022415";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6313:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">August 1-7 is National WIC Breastfeeding Week</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0224.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-08-03T00:00:00-04:00">08/03/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is recognizing state and local agencies of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (more commonly known as WIC) that excel in offering education and support for breastfeeding mothers. As part of World Breastfeeding Week activities, Vilsack has also proclaimed this week, Aug. 1-7, as <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/wic/WIC-Proclamation-2015.pdf" id="anch_123" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National WIC Breastfeeding Week</a>, "in appreciation of breastfeeding mothers and of all the dedicated volunteers, professionals, communities, and organizations who support their efforts."</p>
<p>"The work being done by WIC programs to empower mothers to breastfeed—addressing societal barriers, enhancing peer counselor programs, building key coalitions, and more-is absolutely vital and deserves recognition," said Vilsack. "There is no better food than breast milk for a baby's first year of life. Increasing breastfeeding rates can help reduce the prevalence of various illnesses and health conditions, which in turn results in lower health care costs."</p>
<p>According to a <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20368314" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">2010 study</a>, if 90 percent of U.S. families could comply with medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for six months, the United States would prevent more than 900 deaths save $13 billion per year and from reduced direct and indirect medical costs and the cost of premature death.</p>
<p>Throughout the week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is recognizing outstanding breastfeeding programs with WIC Breastfeeding Performance Bonuses and the WIC Loving Support Awards of Excellence. The recognition supports the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which calls for increased emphasis on breastfeeding promotion and support in the WIC program.</p>
<p>This year, WIC Breastfeeding Performance Bonuses are presented to large (&gt;1,000 infants) and small (&lt;1,000 infants) high-performing WIC agencies with the greatest improvement in the percentage of exclusively breastfed infants over the past year. A total of $500,000 will be awarded to eight state WIC agencies and Indian tribal organizations that have demonstrated successful breastfeeding promotion and support efforts. The performance bonuses highlight WIC agencies' successful breastfeeding initiatives, while encouraging and motivating other state agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support services.</p>
<p>For the first time, USDA is also recognizing exemplary WIC local agencies with the WIC Loving Support Awards of Excellence. WIC agencies utilizing the <a href="http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/Learning_Center/FNS_model.pdf" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">USDA Loving Support Model</a> for a successful peer counseling program were eligible to apply for the honor, which considers their breastfeeding performance measures, effective peer counseling programs and community partnerships. A total of 55 local WIC agencies across the country qualified for an award. By recognizing their success and sharing best practices, the WIC Loving Support Awards of Excellence will provide successful models and motivation to other WIC local agencies with the goal of ultimately increase breastfeeding rates among WIC participants.</p>
<p>The WIC program provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education (including breastfeeding promotion and support), and referrals to health and other social services to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. Services are made available through approximately 1,900 local agencies and 10,000 clinic sites. Visit <a href="/WIC" id="anch_126" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov/WIC</a> to learn more about the WIC program.</p>
<p>In addition to WIC, USDA's Food and Nutrition Services administers several other programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="/" id="anch_127" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p>#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/breastfeeding" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Breastfeeding</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 03 Aug 2015 17:53:37 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"505534 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"rrussell";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:64;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:68:"Secretary Vilsack Proclaims August 2-8 National Farmers Market Week ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/020315";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3792:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0203.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Peter Wood (202) 720-6179 Peter.wood@ams.usda.gov</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-07-14T00:00:00-04:00">07/14/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 14, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared Aug. 2 through 8, 2015, as "National Farmers Market Week." The declaration was made official by proclamation signed by Secretary Vilsack. This year marks the 16th annual National Farmers Market Week in honor of the important role that farmers markets play in local economies. Throughout the week, USDA will celebrate thousands of our nation's farmers markets, the farmers and ranchers who make them possible and the communities that host them.</p>
<p>"National Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity for farmers markets across the country to host special events to showcase all the tremendous services they provide," said Secretary Vilsack. "Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support farmers and help grow rural economies. They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms and providing Americans with fresh, healthy food."</p>
<p>Throughout the week, USDA officials will celebrate at farmers market locations across the country. On Saturday, Aug. 1, Anne Alonzo, the Administrator of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) – which conducts research, provides technical assistance, and awards grants to support farmers markets – will kick off the week at the Santa Fe Farmers Market in New Mexico. The Santa Fe Farmers Market is the oldest in New Mexico and is ranked as one of the top ten farmers markets nationwide.</p>
<p>Farmers markets provide consumers with fresh, affordable, convenient, and healthy products from local producers. With support from USDA, more farmers markets offer customers the opportunity to make purchases with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program; and the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs.</p>
<p>Supporting farmers markets is a part of the USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified strengthening local food systems as one of the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/05/0142.xml&amp;navid=NEWS_RELEASE&amp;navtype=RT&amp;parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&amp;edeployment_action=retrievecontent" id="anch_124">Four Pillars of Agriculture and Rural Economic Development</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:33:07 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"403639 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:65;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:113:"USDA Proposes New Ways to Help Meet Nutrition Needs of Low-Income, Homebound Seniors and People with Disabilities";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/020105";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4875:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0201.05</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-07-13T00:00:00-04:00">07/13/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 13, 2015 - Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing to improve access to groceries for homebound seniors and people with disabilities who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. USDA is proposing for the first time to permit grocery purchasing and delivery services run by government and non-profit organizations to accept SNAP benefits as payment, allowing for home delivery to those unable to shop for food. Vilsack will announce the proposal today during the <a href="http://www.whitehouseconferenceonaging.gov/" id="anch_122" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">2015 White House Conference on Aging</a>. Nationally, only 42 percent of eligible elderly individuals participate in SNAP, compared to 83 percent for all people who are eligible.</p>
<p>"Home delivery of groceries is an important step forward in serving the needs of these vulnerable populations. Allowing homebound seniors and people with disabilities to use their SNAP benefits through government and non-profit home delivery services will help ensure they have access to healthy foods," Secretary Vilsack said, noting that one in five SNAP participants is either elderly or disabled. "This issue has a particular importance for seniors living in rural areas, as America's rural population is older than the nation overall and rural seniors experience higher poverty than seniors nationwide."</p>
<p>Authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, the proposed rule outlines eligibility and participation criteria for purchasing and delivery services serving the homebound elderly and disabled, and seeks comment from stakeholders.</p>
<p>In addition, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service will soon begin seeking up to 20 food purchasing and delivery services to participate in a one year pilot program. Lessons learned during the pilot will used to help shape the final rule.</p>
<p>As the nation's first line of defense against hunger, SNAP helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month and has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 46 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, nine percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>For more information about the pilots, the proposed rule or to submit comments, please visit the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/federal-register-documents" id="anch_123" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">FNS list of Federal Register Documents for SNAP</a>.</p>
<p>Today's announcement was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, USDA has implemented many provisions of this critical legislation, providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.usda.gov/farmbill" id="anch_124">www.usda.gov/farmbill</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:10:05 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"401832 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:66;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:44:"Fact Sheet: USDA Support for Older Americans";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/020215";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:16928:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0202.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-07-13T00:00:00-04:00">07/13/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>USDA is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of older adults, ensuring that all older Americans have access to healthy food, and that older adults in rural America have access to housing. Low-income older Americans continue to be an underserved and vulnerable population, due in part to administrative complexities associated with participating in federal assistance programs. USDA is working with state and federal partners to reduce participation barriers and increase access for seniors.</p>
<p><b>Nutrition Assistance:</b> Seniors represent a particularly vulnerable demographic to food insecurity, with unique health, social, and <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/07/13/new-resource-provides-a-key-to-unlock-tips-on-healthy-aging/" id="anch_122" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">nutrition challenges</a> that can include decreased mobility, limited shopping and cooking ability, and health challenges related to food insecurity. USDA works to positively impact the nutritional and health outcomes of these low-income seniors through seven nutrition assistance programs that are available support the health and nutrition of older Americans. Three of USDA's nutrition assistance programs are exclusively for seniors; the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/nsip/nutrition-services-incentive-program-nsip" id="anch_123" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Nutrition Services Incentive Program</a> which is run in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap" id="anch_124" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> serves more than 4 million seniors. Only 42 percent of eligible elderly individuals participate in SNAP, compared to 83 percent for all eligible people. USDA has worked to <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-special-rules-elderly-or-disabled" id="anch_125" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">decrease participation barriers for older Americans</a> by simplifying the application and recertification processes and providing additional accommodations for elderly and disabled participants.</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/07/0201.xml&amp;navid=NEWS_RELEASE&amp;navtype=RT&amp;parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&amp;edeployment_action=retrievecontent" id="anch_126">Access to Purchase and Delivery Services</a><b>:</b> In July of 2015, USDA issued a proposed rule that would allow homebound, older Americans and disabled persons to use their SNAP benefits to purchase groceries through purchase and delivery services run by government agencies and non-profit organizations. This will provide greater access to healthy food for those who cannot get to the grocery store.</li>
<li><b>Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Budget Proposal:</b> USDA's Food and Nutrition Service FY 2016 budget proposal would authorize a state option to reduce the administrative and application burden in SNAP for low-income elderly households with no earned income by extending the certification period to 36-months with no annual interim contact, and allowing data matching for verification of information.</li>
<li><b>Pilots to Better Serve Older Americans:</b> In 2009, USDA launched pilot projects in three states (Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) to <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/SNAPUnderseved-Elderly2009-Summary.pdf" id="anch_127" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">test strategies in selected communities to increase access for low-income elderly people</a>. The projects included simplified application processes that streamlined requirements for documenting income and expenses, and provided application assistance directly to clients. Two of the three projects successfully increased access to SNAP.</li>
<li><b>Increased Access to Fruits and Vegetables:</b> In April, 2015, USDA awarded <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&amp;contentid=2015/04/0084.xml" id="anch_128">$31.5 million in funding to local, state, and national organizations</a> to support programs that help SNAP participants increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables. The AARP Foundation was awarded $3.3 million as part of this effort to implement and develop replicable incentive programs for SNAP shoppers to purchase more fresh produce from farmers markets and Kroger grocery stores in Mississippi and Tennessee.</li>
<li><b>Established Recertification Interview Waiver:</b> The elderly and disabled recertification interview waiver allows the state to waive the recertification interview for households in which all adult members are elderly or disabled and have no earned income. This waiver was established in 2009 and since that time has been implemented in 11 states: California, Connecticut, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas.</li>
<li><b>Expanded Elderly Simplified Application Projects (ESAPs):</b> ESAPs are demonstration projects that support participation among the elderly and disabled population by waiving the interview requirement, utilizing a shorter SNAP application, and allowing longer certification periods. Since 2009, projects in Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina have been renewed. New projects began in Georgia, Mississippi, and Washington.</li>
<li><b>Expanded Longer Certification Periods for the Elderly and Disabled:</b> Current legislation establishes 24 months as the maximum certification period for elderly and/or disabled households. Through its demonstration authority, FNS waived this section of the Act for Texas (initial request extended in 2010) and Arkansas (2011) allowing them to provide 36 month certification periods for households with only elderly or disabled members. These projects also waive the recertification interview requirement for participating households.</li>
<li><b>Expanded Standard Medical Deduction Projects:</b> Standard Medical Deduction demonstration projects ease verification requirements for senior and disabled households with out-of-pocket medical expenses over $35 per month. Since 2009, FNS has approved renewals or projects in Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming. New projects were approved and implemented in Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Virginia. A project in South Carolina has been approved and will be implemented October 1, 2015.</li>
<li><b>Renewed Combined Application Projects:</b> Federal law requires that certain applicants for or recipients of SSI must be given the opportunity to file a SNAP application at the SSA office when applying for SSI. CAPs make it easier for SSI recipients to receive SNAP. CAPs in 17 states have been reauthorized since 2009: Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.</li>
</ul><p>More than 120,000 adults receive meals and snacks each day as part of the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/child-and-adult-care-food-program" id="anch_129" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Child and Adult Care Food Program</a>. In January, USDA issued a proposed rule to update the meal standards to provide more nutritious food for this population.</p>
<ul><li>Under the cost neutral proposed meal patterns, meals served in nearly 3,000 adults day care centers would include a greater variety of fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, and less sugar and fat.</li>
<li>The science-based standards were developed after consultation with the National Adult Day Services Association, the National Council on Aging, the HHS Administration on Aging, and the Florida Adult Care Food Programs.</li>
</ul><p>Over 600,000 older Americans receive nutritious USDA Food packages through the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp/commodity-supplemental-food-program-csfp" id="anch_130" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Commodity Supplemental Food Program</a>. CSFP is designed to supplement the diets of low-income seniors age 60 years and older.</p>
<ul><li>In fiscal year 2015, CSFP received an appropriation of $211.5 million through the Farm Bill to support a national caseload of 604,000 participants, including slots for an additional 16,000 participants in seven new states, including Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.</li>
<li>The program is now available in 46 states, two Indian reservations, and the District of Columbia.</li>
</ul><p>At least 800,000 older Americans in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and seven Tribal nations are currently served by the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program-sfmnp" id="anch_131" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program</a>, which provides fresh, nutritious, locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as herbs and honey from farmers markets, roadside farm stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs.</p>
<ul><li>In FY2014, the program provided over $20.58 million in assistance to elderly Americans.</li>
<li>In partnership with other local organizations, the program provides nutrition education to encourage recipients to improve and expand their diets by adding fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as educate them on how to select, store and prepare the fresh fruits and vegetables they buy with their SFMNP coupons.</li>
</ul><p><b>Rural Development:</b> <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services" id="anch_132" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">USDA Rural Development</a> provides loans, grants and technical assistance to develop housing, community facilities, businesses, infrastructure, and renewable energy ventures in rural areas. USDA Rural Development also partners with private sector lenders and development organizations to carry out local community development projects.</p>
<p>Rural Development's more than 40 financial assistance programs, in addition to its ability to leverage private sector resources, give USDA the flexibility to invest in a wide range of projects that are reinvigorating rural communities. With a total portfolio of more than $200 billion and investments upwards of $28 billion in 2014 alone, Rural Development is making lasting investments in rural communities to provide essential services.</p>
<p><b><i>Single-Family Housing Investments for Seniors</i></b></p>
<ul><li>USDA Rural Development's Rural Housing Service provides safe, decent, affordable homeownership opportunities for families, the elderly, people with disabilities, and veterans in rural America through its suite of single-family housing direct loans and guaranteed loans.</li>
</ul><p>In Fiscal Year 2014, through the Rural Housing Service's Single-Family Housing Repair Program, the agency provided more than $28.2 million in grants to help 4,670 very low-income, elderly rural residents remove health and safety hazards from their homes. The agency also provided about 1,190 combination direct loan and grant awards in 2014 through its single-family housing repair program. More than 98 percent of these combination awards were made to senior citizens, and the age of the average recipient was 72 years old.</p>
<ul><li>For example, USDA provided Leon Boucher and his wife Priscille with a $7,500 Single-Family Housing Repair Grant for a new roof. The Bouchers have lived in their Berlin, N.H. family home for 47 years. Over time, their home fell into disrepair but, as senior citizens on a fixed income, they didn't have the resources for repairs. The grant from USDA was the beginning of an outpouring of assistance for these seniors: USDA connected the Bouchers with local providers and businesses which helped the couple install insulation in the home, update the wiring, rebuild the front and back porch, put on new paint, and even plant a vegetable garden on the property.</li>
</ul><p><b><i>Multi-Family Housing Investments for Seniors</i></b></p>
<p>The Rural Housing Service has more than 5,000 existing multi-family housing complexes in its portfolio for senior citizens living in rural areas. These complexes are providing elderly residents with more than 146,400 safe, affordable apartments. In 2014 alone, the Rural Housing Service invested more than $33 million into 33 rental housing complexes for senior citizens.</p>
<ul><li>USDA Rural Development partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka to provide a $705,000 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing loan for East Ward Village Apartments, a multi-family housing complex for seniors and disabled individuals in McCook, Neb. Low-income housing tax credits, city funds, and equity from the McCook Housing Authority also supported the project. A former elementary school was converted into 15 apartments and 6 new duplexes. Today, this new complex is 100-percent occupied and residents are enjoying their new, safe affordable apartments.</li>
</ul><p><b><i>Community Investments for Seniors</i></b></p>
<ul><li>The Rural Housing Service's Community Facilities direct loans, guaranteed loans, and grants finance essential facilities in rural areas. Priority for funding is given for health care, education and public safety projects. Community Facilities assistance supports hospitals, health care clinics, schools, police and fire stations, food banks, community centers and many other community based initiatives. From FY 2009 through FY 2014, through the Community Facilities Program, USDA has invested more than $329.4 million in 71 rural nursing homes, and $274.9 million for 72 rural assisted living facilities.</li>
</ul><p>Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has made access to quality health care for rural Americans a top priority at USDA. Through the Rural Housing Service Community Facilities program, the agency helped provide health care services for nearly 4 million rural residents in FY 2014 in facilities ranging from mental health clinics to hospitals. In 2014, the Rural Housing Service invested more than $176 million in 33 assisted living and nursing home facilities through the Community Facilities program.</p>
<ul><li>USDA Rural Development helped the Hancock County Senior Services Association build Maple Grove Apartments, a "memory care" facility in Carthage, Ill., to serve patients with dementia or other cognitive issues. Rural Development provided a $1 million Rural Economic Development loan, a $300,000 Rural Economic Development grant and a $2.2 million Community Facilities loan to help complete the project. Maple Grove uses a "small house" design, a new concept in assisted living to make facilities more home-like and family-oriented. Maple Grove provides a safe environment for seniors whose cognitive issues could make them vulnerable in a larger, institutional venue. Also, small home care is less expensive than traditional nursing home care. Maple Grove residents Connie and Harold Becker have been married for almost 40 years. She has ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and he has progressive dementia, but they are able to stay together as a couple thanks to the USDA funding for this innovative complex.</li>
</ul><p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:50:02 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"401833 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:67;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:80:"SNAP Benefit Redemptions through Farmers and Farmers Markets Show Sharp Increase";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-0007-15";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7339:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA official notes positive impact on individuals and communities when local farmers markets provide fresh fruits and vegetables to SNAP participants</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0007-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-06-25T00:00:00-04:00">06/25/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>PHILADELPHIA, June 25, 2015 – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants are spending more of their benefits to make purchases at roadside farm stands, farmers markets and directly from local farmers than ever before. SNAP redemptions at those outlets in FY14 totaled $18.8 million, a nearly six-fold increase since 2008. Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon will laud the increase during a visit today to Philadelphia’s Clark Park Farmers Market.</p>
<p>“All Americans, including those participating in our nutrition assistance programs, need to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. America’s farmers have an important role to play in addressing that need in communities across the country,” Concannon said. “Accepting SNAP benefits also increases the customer base for local producers, adding an extra economic boost to the community.”</p>
<p>Since 2008, the number of SNAP-authorized farmers, roadside farm stands, and farmers markets grew dramatically, from 753 to in excess of 6,400, more than eight times the number these types of vendors accepting SNAP when the Obama Administration took office.</p>
<p>“These increases did not just happen,” Concannon said, emphasizing that expanding access for SNAP recipients to the fresh produce available at these outlets has been a top priority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).</p>
<p>Through a partnership with the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs, USDA provides <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/01/16/expanding-snap-farmers-market-access-through-innovative-partnerships/">free wireless equipment to qualifying farmers and farmers markets</a>, enabling them to accept SNAP via electronic benefit transfers (EBT). Additionally, in May, USDA announced the availability of $3.3 million in competitive funding to help farmers markets serve SNAP participants. These <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/012315">Farmers Market SNAP Support Grants</a> are the latest example of USDA's ongoing commitment to improving the diet and health of all Americans, but with particular concern for low-income families. Those awards will be announced in September.</p>
<p>USDA also recently awarded $31.5 million in funding to local, state, and national organizations to support programs that encourage SNAP participants to buy more fruits and vegetables, including the fresh produce found at America’s farmers markets and direct marketing farm outlets. Funded through the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&amp;contentid=2015/04/0084.xml">Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program</a> authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, the projects will help policymakers determine how best to provide incentives to SNAP participants to increase healthy purchases.</p>
<p>Farmers are a vital lifeline to healthy nutrition in low-income areas, because many bring their products to “food deserts” with few, if any, supermarkets or grocery stores. “Redemptions through farmers and producers nourish local economies, while helping those in underserved neighborhoods,” Concannon said. “Without farmers markets, roadside farm stands and farmers who sell directly to the public, residents of these communities may have to travel to grocery stores outside their area to obtain fresh produce or make-do with processed foods.”</p>
<p>Yael Lehman, executive director of The Food Trust in Philadelphia, said that over the last three years, SNAP sales rose by more than 300 percent at its farmers markets in the city’s lowest-income areas. “By promoting and accepting SNAP and other food assistance benefits like <a href="http://thefoodtrust.org/uploads/media_items/philly-food-bucks-application-for-distribution.original.pdf">Philly Food Bucks</a>, we can make fresh food affordable for children and families across the region,” Lehman said.</p>
<p>The Food Trust in Philadelphia began 23 years ago with one farm stand in Grays Ferry, a South Philadelphia neighborhood where it was hard to find fresh produce. In 2014, The Food Trust’s 27 farmers markets, including the Clark Park Farmers Market, served more than 400,000 customers throughout the Philadelphia area. The Food Trust was one of the recipients of the FINI grants awarded earlier this year. In Philadelphia, the FINI grant supports the <a href="http://thefoodtrust.org/what-we-do/farmers-markets/philly-food-bucks">Philly Food Bucks</a> program, which provides SNAP participants with a $2 coupon for fresh fruits and vegetables for every $5 in SNAP benefits used at a participating market.</p>
<p>Expanding access to local food is a cornerstone of the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative</a> which coordinates the department’s work on strengthening local and regional food systems. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has identified local and regional food systems as one of the four pillars of rural economic development, along with production agriculture, the bio-based economy, and natural resources and conservation.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>. </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 25 Jun 2015 14:59:28 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"335565 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:68;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:70:"USDA Awards Grants to Tribal Nations for Nutrition Education Programs ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-0006-15";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6145:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0006-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-06-15T00:00:00-04:00">06/15/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Albuquerque NM, June 15, 2015 – While representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the annual conference of the National Association of Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations today, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced close to $1 million in grants to support nutrition education programs for participants of the USDA’s <a href="/fdpir">Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)</a>. In total, 15 nutrition education projects serving participants in 17 states were selected through a competitive award process that was open to tribal nations and state agencies that administer FDPIR.</p>
<p>“USDA is committed to working with American Indian communities to create a healthy start for children, and provide the nutrition assistance that will lead to healthy lives,” Under Secretary Concannon said. “The awardees have developed creative, self-initiated projects designed to assist participants with incorporating healthy foods and physical activity as daily lifestyle habits.</p>
<p>This program supports the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/03/fact-sheet-white-house-tribal-nations-conference">Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) initiative</a> by helping to ensure tribal youth have access to healthy food - a challenge on reservations that often do not have access to a grocery or other healthy alternative except through USDA nutrition programs. Six of the awardees are located in areas receiving additional technical assistance through USDA’s <a href="http://www.usda.gov/strikeforce">StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative</a>, and one awardee is located in a community selected for <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/08/fact-sheet-president-obama-s-promise-zones-initiative">the Obama Administration’s Promise Zones Initiative</a>.</p>
<p>This funding will allow American Indian tribes like the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to expand and create new projects to better their community.  The Choctaw Nation’s 2015 FDPIR nutrition education grant will build on a project funded in 2014 to add a hoop house as a central location to provide gardening education. This project will encourage FDPIR participants to increase their daily intake of fruits and vegetables by conducting food demonstrations with foods that are grown and harvested as a result of hoop house activities. This is just one example of the steps that USDA is taking to provide nutrition education among FDPIR participants that can lead to healthier lifestyles. </p>
<p>The full list of awardees includes:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma</li>
<li>Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana</li>
<li>Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin</li>
<li>Midwest Region Nutrition Advisory Committee, via the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin</li>
<li>Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Indian Reservation in New Mexico</li>
<li>Wichita and Affiliated Tribes in Oklahoma</li>
<li>Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in Wisconsin</li>
<li>Mountain Plains Region Nutrition Advisory Committee via the Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota</li>
<li>Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana</li>
<li>The Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation in Montana</li>
<li>Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington</li>
<li>Lummi Nation in Washington</li>
<li>Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Oklahoma</li>
<li>Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium</li>
<li>Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California</li>
</ul><p>Since fiscal year 2008, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has provided up to $1 million annually in nutrition education grants for projects that benefit FDPIR participants and those eligible for FDPIR.  Last month, USDA announced new funding opportunities for state agencies and tribal nations to develop innovative strategies to prevent hunger and food insecurity.</p>
<p>FDPIR operates as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for low-income American Indian and non-Indian households. Recipients either reside on a reservation, in a household located in approved areas near a reservation, or in Oklahoma where at least one person is a member of a federally recognized tribal nation.  The program provides a <a href="/fdpir/fdpir-usda-foods-fact-sheets">package of USDA Foods</a> that has been selected to enable participants to maintain a nutritionally-balanced diet that is consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  Currently, there are 276 American Indian tribes participating in FDPIR through 100 tribal nations and five state agencies.  This program serves approximately 87,000 individuals each month.</p>
<p>FDPIR is one of 15 nutrition assistance programs administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service that works in conjunction with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, and the Summer Food Service Program. Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 15 Jun 2015 14:48:09 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"268684 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:69;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:100:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Joins Community Partners to Expand Access to Summer Meals for Children";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/015815";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5890:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Program that feeds hungry kids during the summer commemorates 40th anniversary</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0158.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-05-29T00:00:00-04:00">05/29/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">MILWAUKEE, May 29, 2015 – Today Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined representatives from Milwaukee's Hunger Task Force, the Kohl's Corporation, and members of the Milwaukee community to bring attention to childhood hunger. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) summer meal programs provide breakfast and lunch to children in low-income communities all across the country. The event today marked the start of this program and Kohl's Serving Up Supper for Kids, a joint effort between the Hunger Task Force and the Kohl's Corporation to provide nutritious suppers to Milwaukee children in need throughout the summer.</span></p>
<p>"For 40 years, USDA has supported summer meal programs that keep children in low-income communities active and engaged when school is out, while providing critical nutrition and reducing the learning loss that often occurs during the summer months," said Secretary Vilsack. "Programs like these in Milwaukee allow communities to take the lead role in preventing hunger and focus their efforts in local areas with the greatest need. Over the long haul, this program can result in children performing better in school, which in turn can put them in a better position to be competitive in the global workplace."</p>
<p>During the school year, more than 21 million children rely on free and reduced priced meals provided by the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, but only 3.8 million participate in USDA's summer meal programs: the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" id="anch_120" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> (SFSP) and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/opportunity-schools" id="anch_121" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program's Seamless Summer Option</a>. These programs work in concert to close this gap by ensuring children have access to safe, healthy meals when school lets out. This helps children stay healthy and be ready to learn when they return to school in the fall.</p>
<p>Last year, the summer meal programs enjoyed a historic increase of 11 million more meals served compared to the previous summer, serving a total of more than 187 million meals at over 50,000 summer meal sites throughout the country. This year, on the 40th anniversary of the program, USDA hopes to serve an additional 13 million meals to meet our challenge of serving 200 million meals to children nationwide.</p>
<p>Next week, USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon will be visiting Ranson Elementary School in West Virginia for its official kick-off event as part of National Summer Meals Kick-Off Week. Concannon will present State Senator John Unger with the Summer Champion Award for his work championing food security.</p>
<p>West Virginia is one of 13 states that are receiving intensive technical assistance to expand the reach of the summer meal programs. These states were chosen because they have high levels of rural and urban food insecurity and/or reduced program participation. The other states include: Alabama, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky.</p>
<p>"We are deeply committed to ensuring that all Americans, in rural and urban areas, have access to a healthy diet whether at home or at school," said Under Secretary Concannon. "These public-private partnerships are key to galvanizing interest in combating hunger. We need more community partners to serve as sponsors or to help run sites where young people can easily go for a healthy meal or snack, as well as for physical and enrichment activities."</p>
<p>The USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/" id="anch_122" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Food and Nutrition Service</a> oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program and other child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" id="anch_123" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p>#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 29 May 2015 20:36:43 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"204884 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:70;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:73:"USDA Announces New Technology Grants to Combat SNAP Recipient Trafficking";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-000615";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4741:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0006.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-05-18T00:00:00-04:00">05/18/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 18, 2015 – Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced that up to $7.5 million in technology grants is available to combat recipient benefit abuse and trafficking in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The final date to apply for this funding, which was made possible by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (i.e., the “Farm Bill”), is July 18, 2015.</p>
<p>“Safeguarding the integrity of SNAP is a top priority for USDA,” Concannon said. “That commitment includes ensuring that state government agencies administering SNAP are able to employ the most modern technology to track and root out benefit abuse by recipients.”</p>
<p>SNAP law and regulations require state and local agencies administering the program to maintain fraud prevention efforts and investigate program violations by SNAP recipients. While it occurs relatively infrequently, USDA recognizes that program fraud undermines public confidence in government and jeopardizes the ability of SNAP to serve the tens of millions of struggling families who need it the most, Concannon said.</p>
<p>Competitive grants announced today are designed to deploy new technology, or modernize existing technology that monitors and tracks investigation outcomes of individuals suspected of intentional program violations – with an emphasis on trafficking, the sale of benefits for cash.</p>
<p>These grants will build on prior USDA initiatives to support on-the-ground efforts to improve outcomes in the prevention, detection, and prosecution of recipient trafficking. USDA awarded just over $5 million in grants to seven states on September 30, 2014 to improve the effectiveness of integrity monitoring efforts and increase the number of investigations of recipients suspected of trafficking SNAP benefits.</p>
<p>SNAP administering agencies in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands are eligible to apply for the grants, which are not to exceed three years. USDA expects to award three grants under this Request for Application by Sept. 30, 2015.</p>
<p>For further information, please visit: <a href="/snap/snap-program-improvement">http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-program-improvement</a></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the </span><a href="/snap" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for </span><a href="/wic" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, the </span><a href="/cnd/lunch/" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">, and the </span><a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;"> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.538em;">. </span></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 27 Oct 2015 18:26:20 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"632437 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:71;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:118:"Statement from Secretary Vilsack on New Data Showing the Vast Majority of Schools Now Meet the Updated Meals Standards";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/012815";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6650:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0128.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-05-06T00:00:00-04:00">05/06/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 6, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement today after USDA's Food and Nutrition Service issued new data showing that <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/school-meal-certification-data" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">95 percent of schools are successfully meeting the updated meal standards</a> made possible by the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010:</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><em>"Updated healthy school meal standards were created based on the expert advice of pediatricians and nutrition experts and are being widely embraced by students, parents, educators, and nutrition professionals. We are very encouraged that 95 percent of schools are now successfully providing more nutritious meals to their students. We are working with schools to provide funding, training, and flexibility so that 100 percent of schools will be able to successfully serve children healthier meals. Now that we are so close to the finish line, it would be unwise to roll back healthy meal standards just as they are beginning to work to ensure our kids have access to the balanced, nutritious food doctors recommend."</em></p>
<p>Thanks to updated nutrition standards, the vast majority of young people are welcomed each school day to an environment that supports their health and wellbeing as well as their minds. Students are growing more accustomed to the updated standards and are eating healthier. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/07/22/studies-find-widespread-student-acceptance-of-new-healthier-school-lunches/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">widespread acceptance of the healthier meals</a> by students, while studies by the University of Connecticut and Harvard found that <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/03/04/another-study-shows-kids-eating-more-healthy-food-at-school-throwing-less-food-away/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">more students are choosing to add fruit to their lunch tray, are consuming more fruit and vegetables and that plate waste in schools has not increased</a>.</p>
<p>As expected, the <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/09/09/poll-finds-most-parents-support-higher-school-nutrition-standards/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">majority of American parents are also embracing healthier meals</a> in school. Researchers found that 72 percent of parents favor national standards for meals, and 80 percent support healthier snacks. Just this week, the <a href="http://cjonline.com/news/2015-05-03/survey-kansans-want-schools-serve-healthy-meals" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Topeka Capital-Journal reported</a> that most parents in Kansas support healthier school lunches, and 95 percent felt nutritious meals were so important in helping students learn that public schools should be required to serve a fruit or vegetable with each meal. As one food service director from Kansas to the Journal, "We're teaching children to lead a healthy life." Almost 99 percent of schools in Kansas are meeting the new meal standards.</p>
<p>Numerous prestigious medical groups have voiced their support for the healthier meal standards, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Association. Retired Generals and Admirals from the group Mission: Readiness also support the healthier meals, viewing it as a <a href="http://www.missionreadiness.org/2015/retired-generals-and-admirals-from-south-carolina-urge-state-legislators-to-support-healthy-school-nutrition-as-a-matter-of-national-security/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">national security issue</a> because nearly one-third of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 are too overweight to serve.</p>
<p>USDA is committed to ensuring that the remaining 5 percent of schools get the tools they need to support the health of their students. In March, Secretary Vilsack announced the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/03/0059.xml">expansion of USDA's Team up for School Nutrition Success initiative</a>, which provides tailored technical assistance and peer-to-peer mentoring to schools needing assistance. This month, we will host our third regional training session, providing these schools with the opportunity to learn from each other, in order to make positive strides toward creating health school environments, with financial stability and strong student participation.</p>
<p>Many food companies that supply snacks and other foods to schools have been able to use the stability of the nutrition standards to reformulate their products, resulting in healthier products available to schools. We are working alongside industry partners and members of the nutrition community to develop resources for those schools having difficulty with sodium and whole grain requirements.</p>
<p>USDA will continue to listen to stakeholders and provide guidance and assistance as needed to help schools continue their progress, because it is in the best interest of parents, the food industry, and most importantly, America's children.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 07 May 2015 15:07:32 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"142718 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:72;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:81:"USDA Announces Grants to Enable More Farmers Markets to Serve Low-Income Families";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/012315";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4873:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">SNAP Recipients Can Now Purchase Fresh Fruit, Vegetables at More Than 6,200 Farmers Markets and Direct Marketing Farms</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0123.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-05-05T00:00:00-04:00">05/05/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 5, 2015 – Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced the availability of up to $3.3 million in competitive funding to support the ability of farmers markets to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a form of payment. These awards will help expand SNAP participants' access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other nutritious foods found at farmers markets, while supporting our nation's farmers and producers.</p>
<p>"We have seen an unprecedented growth in the number of farmers markets accepting SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards in the past six years," said Concannon. "These awards support the markets that may need administrative help in implementing and managing EBT service and informing customers that they can use their SNAP benefits at farmers markets."</p>
<p>The Under Secretary also announced that there are now more than 6,200 farmers markets and direct marketing farmers authorized to accept SNAP nationwide – an eightfold increase since the beginning of this administration. In fiscal year 2014, approximately $18.7 million in SNAP benefits were used at farmers markets, an increase of 7.5 percent over 2013. Increasing the number of SNAP authorized farmers markets is part of USDA's ongoing mission to support recipients in making healthy food choices.</p>
<p>The Farmers Market SNAP Support Grants will range from $15,000 to $250,000 and must be designed to increase SNAP client accessibility and participation at farmers markets, and support the establishment, expansion, and promotion of SNAP EBT services at farmers markets. Eligible applicants include farmers market organizations and associations, non--profit entities, state, local and tribal nations and other organizations engaged in farmers market management.</p>
<p>The Request for Applications will be published today. Applications are due June 18, 2015. Grant funds will be awarded in September. For further information about the grant application, visit <a href="http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=276335" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.grants.gov</a>.</p>
<p>Supporting farmers markets and expanding access to healthy, local food is a key element of USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food</a> initiative which coordinates the Department's effort on local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified local and regional food systems as one of the four pillars of rural economic development.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, these programs include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, the National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). </em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 05 May 2015 18:18:37 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"142137 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:73;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"USDA Announces Progress in Reducing Improper Payments in School Meals";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-0005-15";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8794:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">$8.5 Million in Grants Available to States, New Risk-Based Tools Proposed to Continue Improving the Efficiency and Accuracy of School Meal Program Operations</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0005-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-05-04T00:00:00-04:00">05/04/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Washington DC, May 4, 2015 – Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced the results of a nationwide assessment of improper payments in school meals programs, as well as several steps to sustain progress by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in reducing errors and improving school meal program integrity. Schools are responsible for ensuring that school meal programs operate according to federal requirements.  Today’s announcement will provide $8.5 million in grants to improve schools’ operational and oversight efforts in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. In addition, a new rule is being proposed to help states better target resources to districts at highest risk of improper payments. Combined, these efforts will decrease administrative errors and waste while streamlining the certification process so children can get access to the nutrition they need to learn and thrive.</p>
<p>“Reducing errors in our school meal programs is a top priority for USDA,” said Concannon.  “The data show that we are moving in the right direction, and the efforts announced today will help schools continue to reduce errors in the school meal programs. By focusing on program efficiencies, we protect taxpayer dollars and ensure the school meal programs remain available to the millions of children who rely on them.”</p>
<p>In order to ensure proper stewardship of these vital programs, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service developed a study series titled <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslpsbp-access-participation-eligibility-and-certification-study-ii">Access, Participation, Eligibility and Certification (APEC)</a> to collect nationally-representative data from schools and school food authorities every five years.  This study estimates improper payment rates and amounts in three key areas: aggregation, certification, and meal claiming errors.</p>
<ul><li>Aggregation errors occur when a school undercounts or over counts the number of meals that are eligible for reimbursement.</li>
<li>Certification errors occur when a child is placed into the wrong meal reimbursement category, such as when a child who is eligible for reduced priced meals is certified for free meals, or when a child who is eligible for free meals is denied.</li>
<li>Meal claiming errors occur when a meal is categorized incorrectly as reimbursable or non-reimbursable at the point-of-sale in the cafeteria.  These errors typically involve a required item, such as a milk or fruit being left off of a tray by the student.</li>
</ul><p>Today, USDA is releasing the second iteration of that study, which shows that while the overall level of program error remains unacceptably high, there have been notable areas of improvement. The overall error rate has been reduced, with significant declines in the frequency of aggregation errors – from 3.8 percent to 0.8 percent in the National School Lunch Program and from 6.0 percent to 1.2 percent in the School Breakfast Program.</p>
<p>The $8.5 million in grants are a continuation of USDA’s efforts to ensure proper and efficient administration of its child nutrition programs. Four million dollars will be targeted toward states’ work to improve the integrity and efficiency of school meals administration through development and implementation of administrative review and training tools and strategies, including technology solutions. Another $4.5 million will go toward increasing the use of direct certification, the process of using income data already verified from SNAP applications to certify children in those households for free meals without requiring a second application. Findings from this new study demonstrate that direct certifications are substantially more accurate than certifications based on paper applications.</p>
<p>Other ongoing USDA initiatives aimed at future long-term reduction in program error include:</p>
<ul><li>Implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows high-poverty school and districts to provide free meals to all students without needing to collect applications, certify individual students, or manage student payment accounts;</li>
<li>A redesigned administrative review process, adopted by most state agencies in school year 2013-2014;</li>
<li>Implementation of new professional standards for school foodservice personnel effective for school year 2015-2016;</li>
<li>Release of an updated prototype school meals application in 2015 developed jointly by USDA and the Office of Personnel Management’s Innovation Lab;</li>
<li>New research on household application errors; and</li>
<li>The establishment of a new Office of Program Integrity to lead the development of future data and evidence-driven reforms.</li>
</ul><p>One of the many tools the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 provided USDA to help address improper payments in the school meal programs was an update to the administrative review process used by state agencies to monitor local school meal service. A proposed rule implementing this provision, also announced today, includes risk-based approaches to enable states to target error prone areas and schools needing the most compliance assistance.  The proposed rule also includes a number of recommendations such as off-site monitoring approaches that will result in more agility, and greater ability to use state staff efficiently.</p>
<p>“The updated procedures are meant to give states more tailored ability to conduct reviews, allow for the efficient use of limited time and staff, and result in more robust and transparent monitoring of school nutrition programs,” said Concannon. “Through this combination of financial support for schools, rule-making, and promoting the use of direct certification and the community eligibility provision, USDA is committed to continuing our progress in reducing the rate of improper payments in our school nutrition programs.”</p>
<p>The comment period for the proposed rule is open for 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. Feedback from state agencies, school food authorities, and other interested parties is an important part of the rulemaking process. To view the proposed rule online and submit comments, visit <a href="/school-meals/federal-register-documents">http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/federal-register-documents</a>.</p>
<p>All state agencies interested in applying for the grants announced today can visit <a href="/school-meals/grants">http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/grants.</a></p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America’s nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).  Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">##</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 04 May 2015 15:06:29 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"142116 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:74;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:65:"SNAP Process, Technology Improvement Grants Application Announced";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-0004-15";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4860:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Funding intended to increase efficiency and improve customer service at the local level</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0004-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-05-01T00:00:00-04:00">05/01/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 1, 2015 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced today the availability of $5 million in competitive grants to improve application processing and use of technology in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Applications for the grants are due June 2.</p>
<p>“SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger, helping millions of eligible Americans put food on the table,” Concannon said. “These grants will fund projects that will further modernize the administration of this vital nutrition assistance program and improve access for eligible families.”</p>
<p>USDA is seeking grant applications that focus on modernization projects to improve the quality and efficiency of operations and processes at the local level. Specifically, the Food and Nutrition Service is interested in contemporary solutions to improve application processing timeliness for initial applications or re-certifications.</p>
<p>“Americans support helping struggling families put food on the table but they want to know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely,” Concannon said.  “These grants will help increase efficiency at the local level.”</p>
<p>Priorities for 2015 funding include proposals that streamline the workflow process, incorporate technology improvements for client services, or reduce churning – when a household exits and then re-enters the program within four months. The entities eligible to apply include:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>State and local agencies that administer SNAP</li>
<li>State or local governments</li>
<li>Agencies providing health or welfare services</li>
<li>Public health or educational entities</li>
<li>Private non-profit entities, such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations</li>
</ul><p>The three-year grants will be announced no later than Sept. 30, 2015. For more information please see the Request for Application at <a href="http://www.grants.gov/">www.grants.gov</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="/snap" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="/wic" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="/sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/food-stamps-18" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">food stamps</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/snap-15" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">snap</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/technology-improvements" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Technology Improvements</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/grants-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">grants</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 May 2015 14:33:43 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:34:"142099 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:75;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:80:"USDA Awards $31 Million in Grants to Help SNAP Participants Afford Healthy Foods";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/008415";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8805:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0084.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-04-01T00:00:00-04:00">04/01/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>ORLANDO, Fla., April 1, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has awarded $31.5 million in funding to local, state, and national organizations to support programs that help participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables. Recognizing that all Americans fall well short of the servings of fruits and vegetables recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the grants will test incentive strategies to help SNAP participants better afford fruits and vegetables. These grants were made through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.</p>
<p>The Secretary, who made the announcement at the Freshfields Farm market in Orlando, said, "Encouraging low income families to put more healthy food in their grocery baskets is part of USDA's ongoing commitment to improving the diet and health of all Americans." Vilsack continued, "These creative community partnerships also benefit regional food producers and local economies along with SNAP participants."</p>
<p>FINI is a joint effort between USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, which oversees SNAP and has responsibility for evaluating the effectiveness of the incentive projects. FINI brings together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and fosters understanding of how they might improve the nutrition and health status of SNAP households. The awards under FINI represent a variety of projects, including relatively small pilot projects, multi-year community-based projects, and larger-scale multi-year projects.</p>
<p>USDA is funding projects in 26 states for up to 4 years, using funds from FY2014 and FY2015. USDA will issue a separate request for applications in FY16, and in subsequent years. Fiscal year 2014 and 2015 awards are:</p>
<p>Pilot projects (up to $100,000, not to exceed 1 year):</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Yolo County Department of Employment and Social Services, Woodland, Calif., $100,000</li>
<li>Heritage Ranch, Inc., Honaunau, Hawaii, $100,000</li>
<li>Backyard Harvest, Inc., Moscow, Idaho, $10,695</li>
<li>City of Aurora, Aurora, Ill., $30,000</li>
<li>Forsyth Farmers' Market, Inc., Savannah, Ga., $50,000</li>
<li>Blue Grass Community Foundation, Lexington, Ky., $47,250</li>
<li>Lower Phalen Creek Project, Saint Paul, Minn., $45,230</li>
<li>Vermont Farm-to-School, Inc., Newport, V.T., $93,750</li>
<li>New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association, Santa Fe, N.M., $99,999</li>
<li>Santa Fe Community Foundation, Santa Fe, N.M., $100,000</li>
<li>Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services, Greensboro, N.C., $99,987</li>
<li>Chester County Food Bank, Exton, Pa., $76,543</li>
<li>Nurture Nature Center, Easton, Pa., $56,918</li>
<li>Rodale Institute, Kutztown, Pa., $46,442</li>
<li>Rhode Island Public Health Institute, Providence, R.I., $100,000</li>
<li>San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio, Texas, $100,000</li>
</ul><p>Multi-year community-based projects (up to $500,000, not to exceed 4 years):</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Mandela Marketplace, Inc., Oakland, Calif., $422,500</li>
<li>Market Umbrella, New Orleans, La., $378,326</li>
<li>Maine Farmland Trust, Belfast, Maine, $249,816</li>
<li>Farmers Market Fund, Portland, Ore., $499,172</li>
<li>The Food Trust, Philadelphia, Pa., $500,000</li>
<li>Utahns Against Hunger, Salt Lake City, Utah, $247,038</li>
<li>Opportunity Council, Bellingham, Wash., $301,658</li>
</ul><p>Multi-year large-scale projects ($500,000 or greater, not to exceed 4 years):</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Ecology Center, Berkeley, Calif., $3,704,287</li>
<li>Wholesome Wave Foundation Charitable Ventures, Inc., Bridgeport, Conn., $3,775,700</li>
<li>AARP Foundation, Washington, D.C., $3,306,224</li>
<li>Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Gainesville, Fla., $1,937,179</li>
<li>Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, Boston, Mass., $3,401,384</li>
<li>Fair Food Network, Ann Arbor, Mich., $5,171,779</li>
<li>International Rescue Committee, Inc., New York, N.Y., $564,231</li>
<li>Washington State Department of Health, Tumwater, Wash., $5,859,307</li>
</ul><p>Descriptions of the <a href="http://www.nifa.usda.gov/resource/usda-awards-31-million-grants-help-snap-participants-afford-healthy-foods" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">funded projects</a> are available on the NIFA website.</p>
<p>Wednesday's announcement featured Marty Mesh, Executive Director of Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers (FOG). With FINI funding, FOG will expand its Fresh Access Bucks program, which allows SNAP participants to double their food dollars for fresh, Florida-grown fruits and vegetables at farmers markets around the state.</p>
<p>An evaluation of the funded projects will help policymakers determine how best to provide incentives to SNAP participants to increase healthy purchases. Priority was given to projects that develop innovative or improved benefit redemption systems that can be replicated, use direct-to-consumer marketing, show previous success implementing nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers with agricultural producers, provide locally- or regionally-produced fruits and vegetables, and are located in underserved communities.</p>
<p>All FINI projects must (1) have the support of a state SNAP agency; (2) increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants by providing incentives at the point of purchase; (3) operate through authorized SNAP retailers; (4) agree to participate in the comprehensive FINI program evaluation; (5) ensure that the same terms and conditions apply to purchases made by both SNAP participants and non-participants; and (6) include effective and efficient technologies for benefit redemption systems that may be replicated in other states and communities.</p>
<p>The FINI program is authorized and funded by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.usda.gov/farmbill">www.usda.gov/farmbill</a>.</p>
<p>SNAP — the nation's first line of defense against hunger — helps put food on the table for millions of families experiencing hardship. The program has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. Over 60 percent of SNAP participants are children, elderly, or individuals with disabilities, and 42 percent of participants live in households in which at least one adult is working but still cannot afford to put sufficient food on the table. SNAP benefits provided help to millions who lost their jobs during the Great Recession. For many, SNAP benefits provide temporary assistance, with the average new applicant remaining on the program 12 months.</p>
<p>Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. More information can be found on the <a href="http://www.nifa.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">NIFA website</a>. </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:48:02 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"73168 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:76;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:82:"USDA Awards $200 Million for Skills Training to Help SNAP Recipients Get Good Jobs";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/007115";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6977:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Projects will Help Transition People Off of Food Assistance, Reduce SNAP Spending the Right Way</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0071.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-20T00:00:00-04:00">03/20/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>ATLANTA, March 20, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, joined by Labor Secretary Tom Perez, today announced the recipients of $200 million in competitive awards to fund and evaluate pilot projects in 10 states to help Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) participants find jobs and work toward self-sufficiency. Projects in California, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington were chosen.</p>
<p>"Helping people find and keep good jobs is the right way to transition recipients off of SNAP assistance and ultimately reduce program costs. These pilots will give USDA and our state partners the opportunity to explore innovative, cost-effective ways to help SNAP recipients find and keep gainful employment in order to build a stronger future for their families," Secretary Vilsack said during a visit to Gwinnett Technical College. "This initiative is a reflection of USDA's full commitment to ensuring that SNAP recipients who are able to work can put food on the table while they get the skills they need to compete for jobs in a global economy. Helping people find good jobs is a far better strategy for reducing food assistance spending than across the board cuts."</p>
<p>Authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, the grants announced today fund pilot projects focusing on target populations identified by the legislation, including individuals with low skills, able-bodied adults without dependents and SNAP recipients working in very low-wage or part-time jobs. The selected pilots represent a wide array of balanced approaches—including skills training, work-based learning, support services such as transportation and child care, and other job-driven strategies—and reflect the wide geographic diversity of the SNAP population. The grants will fund projects for three years.</p>
<p>"These grants are the result of unprecedented collaboration and an unparalleled focus on using every available tool to help people get access to good jobs and a firm grip on the ladder of opportunity," said Secretary Perez. "By testing and then applying proven strategies across the federal government and throughout the workforce system, we're taking on the unfinished business of the remarkable economic recovery underway - making sure that every person can share in the prosperity being created and that the promise of opportunity extends to all."</p>
<p>Secretary Vilsack also announced that two respected research organizations, <a href="http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Mathematica Policy Research</a> and <a href="http://www.mdrc.org/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">MDRC</a>, will conduct rigorous, independent evaluations of the projects that will help USDA to identify which approaches are most effective for the diverse population of SNAP recipients. The most effective strategies could then be undertaken throughout the country.</p>
<p>Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon emphasized the importance of the these programs during a related event today in Fresno, Calif. "SNAP Employment and Training plays a critical role in workforce training for low-skilled, vulnerable adults who may not otherwise receive job training," he said. "Along with the pilots, USDA will be working with all of its state partners to strengthen their core SNAP Employment and Training programs and incorporate job-driven elements into their existing services."</p>
<p>Projects selected include:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>Fresno County Department of Social Services, Calif.</li>
<li>Delaware Department of Health and Social Services</li>
<li>Georgia Division of Family and Children Services</li>
<li>Illinois Department of Human Services</li>
<li>Kansas Department for Children and Families</li>
<li>Kentucky Department for Community Based Services</li>
<li>Mississippi Department of Human Services</li>
<li>Virginia Department of Social Services</li>
<li>Vermont Department for Children and Families</li>
<li>Washington Department of Social and Health Services</li>
</ul><p>For further information about the projects, visit the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/2014-snap-e-t-pilots" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">SNAP Employment and Training Pilots website</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 20 Mar 2015 15:38:41 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"73129 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:77;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:94:"USDA Announces $97 Million Available to Expand Access to Healthy Food, Support Rural Economies";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/006415";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10039:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Grants Will Support Local Food Systems, Specialty Crop Producers and Farm to School Efforts; Expands Risk Protection for Specialty Crop Producers</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0064.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-16T00:00:00-04:00">03/16/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WICHITA, Kan., March 16, 2015 - In a speech at the National Farmers Union Convention today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of $96.8 million in grants to fund innovative projects designed to support specialty crop producers, local food entrepreneurs, and farm to school efforts, which in turn will increase access to healthy, nutritious food for American families and children. The announcement is part of USDA efforts during National Nutrition Month to focus on improving access to fresh, healthy, and nutritious products for millions of Americans.</p>
<p>"Increasing market opportunities for local food producers is a sound investment in America's rural economies, while also increasing access to healthy food for our nation's families," Vilsack said. "Consumer demand for local, healthy food is skyrocketing in schools, hospitals and wholesalers. These grant opportunities allow farmers and ranchers to meet this demand, and feed our nation's kids."</p>
<p>Secretary Vilsack also announced changes in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to help increase access to the program for beginning, limited-resource and other producers who do not have risk protection available through crop insurance products. Many of these producers grow fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops.</p>
<p>"With these changes, more farmers can enter the specialty crop marketplace with peace of mind that they have risk protection should disaster strike," said Vilsack.</p>
<p>The grant programs administered by the <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Agricultural Marketing Service</a> (AMS) include the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) and the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program which covers two types of grants: the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). Also included in the announcement is the USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Food and Nutrition Service</a> (FNS) Farm to School Grant Program, designed to bring local foods into the school cafeteria. USDA's <a href="http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm Service Agency</a> implements the NAP program, which has been expanded to better protect specialty crop and other eligible producers from losses due to natural disasters.</p>
<p>"American farmers and ranchers feed the nation. These grant programs provide vital support to specialty crop producers, whose fruits and vegetables fill over half of the MyPlate recommendations," said Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator Anne Alonzo. "They also support local and regional food systems that are meeting consumer demand and creating economic opportunities in rural and urban communities around the country."</p>
<p>Over $63.2 million in SCBGP grants are allocated to U.S. States and territories based on a formula that considers both specialty crop acreage and production value. Interested applicants should apply directly through their State department of agriculture. A listing of state contacts and application due dates can be found at <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp</a>.</p>
<p>The FSMIP provides $1 million in matching funds to State departments of agriculture, state colleges and universities, and other appropriate state agencies. Funds will support research projects that address challenges and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and distributing U.S. agricultural products domestically and internationally.</p>
<p>The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program provides a combined total of $26.6 million divided equally between its two grant programs. The FMPP provides $13.3 million to support projects for direct farmer-to-consumer marketing projects such as farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, roadside stands, and agritourism. The LFPP offers $13.3 million in funds for projects that support intermediary supply chain activities for businesses that process, distribute, aggregate, and store locally- or regionally-produced food products.</p>
<p>Grant applications for FSMIP, FMPP and LFPP must be submitted electronically through <a href="http://www.Grants.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.Grants.gov</a> by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 14, 2015. Applicants should start the Grants.gov registration process as soon as possible to ensure that they meet the deadline.</p>
<p>AMS will host a webinar on March 25, 2015, to introduce FMPP and LFPP to potential applicants and a teleconference about FSMIP on March 31, 2015. For more information about SCBGP, FSMIP, FMPP, and LFPP, including program background and webinar information, visit the AMS grants website: <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSgrants" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSgrants</a>.</p>
<p>With $6 million in funding available, four different types of USDA Farm to School grants are available. Planning grants help schools get started, while implementation grants enable schools to expand existing programs. Support service grants allow community partners such as non-profit entities, Indian tribal nations, state and local agencies, and agriculture producers to provide broad reaching support to schools in their efforts to bring local products into the cafeteria. Training grants are used to disseminate best practices and spread strategies known to succeed. Proposals for planning, implementation, and support service grants are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, May 20, 2015. Letters of intent for training grants are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, April 30, 2015.</p>
<p>More information about the Farm to School grant program, upcoming webinars relevant to applicants, and sample grant applications can be found at: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school-grant-program" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school-grant-program</a>.</p>
<p>These programs are key elements of the USDA's Know Your Food, Know Your Farmer initiative which coordinates the Department's support for local and regional food systems. The Secretary has identified local and regional food systems as one of the four pillars of rural economic development.</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>The 2012 Census of Agriculture indicates that more than 160,000 farmers and ranchers nationwide are tapping into growing consumer demand by selling their products locally. This segment of agriculture is a vibrant growth area that is drawing young people back to rural communities, generating jobs and improving quality of life in rural communities.</li>
<li>In FY13-14, USDA made over 500 infrastructure investments that create new markets for local food- including food hubs, scale-appropriate processing, and distribution networks - that are connecting farmers and ranchers with new sources of revenue and creating jobs.</li>
<li>Since the program began in 2012, USDA's Farm to School program has funded 221 projects in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. According to the USDA's Farm to School Census, schools spent over $385 million on local food purchases during the 2011-2012 school year.</li>
<li>USDA has expanded access to healthy foods in underserved communities by making EBT available at farmers markets. Over 5,000 farmers markets now accept EBT, and SNAP redemption at farmers markets nationwide rose from $4 million in 2009 to over $18 million in 2014.</li>
</ul><p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/grant" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Grant</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:47:46 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"73106 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:78;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:86:"USDA Announces Nationwide Expansion of Team Up for School Nutrition Success Initiative";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/005915";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6266:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0059.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact: USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-09T00:00:00-04:00">03/09/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 9, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced additional support for schools working to serve school children healthy meals with the nationwide expansion of the <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/09/18/team-up-for-success-usda-and-partners-help-secure-a-healthier-school-day/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Team Up for School Nutrition Success Initiative</a>. The initiative will provide school nutrition personnel across the country tailored technical assistance and peer to peer mentoring. This allows schools to address their individual resource and training needs. USDA conducted a pilot of the Team Up effort in the southeast region last fall and will now expand the program to other regions of the country.</p>
<p>The Team Up for School Nutrition Success Initiative is one more in a series of USDA efforts to help schools successfully serve healthier meals, which has included additional funding for school food services, trainings and technical support, and flexibility in the new standards where appropriate.</p>
<p>"Updated healthy meal standards, based on the recommendations of pediatricians, ensure kids across the country to have access to nutritious food," said Vilsack. "Over 90 percent of the nation's schools are successfully achieving updated healthy meal standards. The Team Up program allows the remaining schools still working to meet the standards to pair up and learn best practices from schools that are already successfully serving healthier meals. We will continue to everything we can to support schools as they work to ensure our kids get the healthy start in life they deserve."</p>
<p>The Team Up For School Nutrition Success training is tailored to schools and covers topics like menu planning, financial management, procurement, meal presentation and appeal, as well as youth engagement tactics and strategies to reduce plate waste. Schools have the opportunity to learn from each other in order to make positive strides toward providing healthy school environments with financial stability and strong student participation.</p>
<p>FNS partnered with the National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) to conduct the original Team Up pilot in Mississippi in November 2014. Fifty-three School Food Authorities (SFAs) were paired with 27 mentors in order to provide peer-to-peer mentorship on issues ranging from financial management to student participation.</p>
<p>Gina Howard, School Nutrition Director for Warren County School District in Bowling Green, KY, attended the initial pilot in Mississippi and stated, "Coming to the workshop, I didn't know what to expect. But getting to know people, getting their email addresses, getting to talk to them about specifics of their programs, gave me the opportunity to network and be able to find solutions to some of our everyday problems. I will be ever changed by this workshop. It gave me excitement for the future. It gave me an opportunity to see things from a different view point. And my plans from the workshop are to change the perception of school meals."</p>
<p>NFSMI is conducting a 3, 6, and 12-month follow up with the pilot SFAs to assess progress made and any needs for additional training. Based on the successes and lessons learned from the pilot, the initiative is being expanded nationwide. The next training will take place in April with school food service professionals all across the southwest. Subsequent trainings in remaining regions of the country will follow:</p>
<ul><li>April 2015 – Southwest</li>
<li>May 2015 – Northeast</li>
<li>June 2015 – Western</li>
<li>July 2015 – Midwest</li>
<li>August 2015 – Mid-Atlantic</li>
<li>September 2015 – Mountains Plains</li>
</ul><p>Attendees at the November Team Up pilot requested additional forums where specific topic areas could be further discussed and best practices shared. As a result, beginning in January, FNS and NFSMI started conducting a monthly Team Up Thursday webinar series. These webinars are focusing on highly requested topics in the area of meal pattern implementation. The webinars will be available to all school nutrition personnel and state agencies in order to broaden the reach of this training opportunity.</p>
<p>For more information about Team Up and to listen to the previous webinars visit: <a href="http://www.nfsmi.org/ResourceOverview.aspx?ID=527" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">http://www.nfsmi.org/ResourceOverview.aspx?ID=527</a>.</p>
<p>This initiative is another way USDA is combating child hunger and obesity and improving the health and nutrition of the nation's children. This is a top priority for the Obama Administration and is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama's <i>Let's Move!</i> initiative to combat childhood obesity.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America's nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 09 Mar 2015 19:10:44 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"73081 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:79;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:72:"USDA Awards Grants to Support Schools Serving Healthier Meals and Snacks";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/005815";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5181:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Up to $25 million will be provided for new food service equipment; $5.5 million for training</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0058.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact: USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-06T00:00:00-05:00">03/06/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 6, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding over $30 million in grants to help schools prepare healthy meals for their children. Twenty-five million dollars in grants will help schools purchase needed equipment to make preparing and serving healthier meals easier and more efficient, and up to $5.5 million will provide additional training for school food service professionals.</p>
<p>"Schools are successfully serving more nutritious meals to America's students, and healthier meals mean healthier kids. We're working to do everything we can to support schools as they work to provide kids the nutrition they need to learn and develop into healthy adults," said Vilsack. "These grants will help schools obtain better equipment and additional training for their hardworking school food service professionals. With doctors, parents, teachers and schools all working together, we can make sure we're giving our kids the healthy start in life they deserve."</p>
<p>Since 2009, USDA has provided $185 million in kitchen equipment funding to states and schools participating in the National School Lunch (NSLP) and School Breakfast (SBP) Programs. USDA provides the funding to states, which then competitively award grants to school districts in order to purchase necessary equipment, giving priority to high-need schools where 50 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced price meals.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/cnd/NSLP-grants-2014-15.pdf" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Download the list of funding by state for FY14 and FY15</a>.</p>
<p>The school equipment grants announced today are another example of how USDA is supporting schools as they implement the new meal standards resulting from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. USDA works closely with schools to address implementation challenges, and provides funding, training and technical assistance to overcome barriers.</p>
<p>To further assist school food workers USDA is also announcing the availability of up to $5.5 million in Team Nutrition training grants for FY2015. These grants are only open to state agencies administering the NSLP, SBP, the Summer Food Service Program, or Child and Adult Care Food Programs. Through a competitive grants process, Team Nutrition training grants will be funded for the period of September 30, 2015 - September 30, 2017. State agencies may apply for up to $350,000. To apply for the grants, state agencies should visit <a href="http://www.grants.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.grants.gov</a>.</p>
<p>These competitive grants focus on the implementation of Smarter Lunchrooms - an innovative strategy using behavioral economics to encourage healthy eating in the cafeteria - as well as the healthier meal standards, HealthierUS School Challenge, USDA Foods, nutrition education, and wellness activities in schools and child care institutions. These funds may be also used to assist the state agency in providing training and technical assistance to school staff in creating Smarter Lunchrooms.</p>
<p>The Team Nutrition Training grants are two-year grants that have been awarded to state agencies on an annual basis since the inception of the program in 1995. They serve as key delivery systems for supporting the implementation of USDA's nutrition requirements for meals served in schools and child care centers.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America's nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 06 Mar 2015 18:05:59 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"73071 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:80;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:90:"USDA Sets Goal of Serving 200 Million Summer Meals, Observes Program’s 40th Anniversary ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-0003-15";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6417:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0003-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-04T00:00:00-05:00">03/04/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 4, 2015 – Continuing USDA’s focus on childhood hunger during National Nutrition Month, Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Audrey Rowe today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2015 goal of serving 200 million meals to children and teens in low-income communities this summer – 14 million more than were served in 2014. During the school year, more than 21 million children rely on the nutritious, free and reduced priced meals provided by USDA’s National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. USDA's summer meal programs – which are often linked to summer enrichment programs – ensure that low-income children can receive nutritious food when school is out. This helps children stay healthy and be ready to learn when they return to school in the fall.</p>
<p>Nutrition assistance programs defend against hunger – ensuring the most vulnerable Americans have the energy they need to perform at work and at school. Children are particularly vulnerable to hunger and poor nutrition especially when school is out. Through the summer meals program, millions of children and teens get a healthy meal or snack when school meals are not available.</p>
<p>Last summer, USDA set a goal of serving 10 million more meals than in the summer of 2013 through the two programs that comprise USDA’s summer meal programs: USDA’s <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> and the National School Lunch Program's Seamless Summer Option. With the help of partners, elected officials and community leaders across the country, the goal was exceeded. About 11 million more meals were served for a total of 187 million meals provided in 2014 at over 50,000 sites throughout the summer. This represents a 6 percent increase in meals served nationally.</p>
<p>While the gap between the number of kids receiving free and reduced price meals during the school year and those receiving a meal in the summer has been narrowed, too many American children experience hunger in the summer. To continue to narrow the gap in 2015, USDA has selected 13 states with high levels of food insecurity to provide additional support in order to help improve participation in summer meals programs. These states include: Alabama, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky.</p>
<p>Today, Administrator Rowe was joined by representatives from several faith-based, community, and government organizations to recognize the summer program’s 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary lay out plans for reaching the 2015 goal, highlight successful approaches, and call on other community groups to support this vital program. The Administrator was joined by:</p>
<ul><li>Dr. Michael O. Minor, National Director of the National Baptist Convention</li>
<li>Kyle Zimmer, President and CEO of First Book</li>
<li>Kevin Hagan, President of Feed the Children</li>
<li>Sara Gold, Director of Michigan No Kid Hungry, United Way for Southeastern Michigan</li>
<li>Carl Merkle, Director of Nutrition Service at Warren Consolidated Schools (Mich.)</li>
</ul><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">"Summer nutrition empowers children to go into the next school year energized and ready to learn. This year, there are tremendous opportunities for new and existing sponsors to get involved," Administrator Rowe said. “USDA provides tools to help community groups learn new and innovative ways to reach eligible children, as well as provide services uniquely tailored to their communities. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the summer meals program, we are confident that the program will continue to serve as a fundamental instrument in addressing summer hunger."</span></p>
<p>Summer Meals programs utilize public-private partnerships, allowing communities to take the lead role in preventing hunger and focus their efforts in areas with the greatest need. The key to reaching more low-income children during the summer is expanding the number of locations available for feeding children. Community partners are needed to serve as sponsors of sites or to run sites that are accessible to young people for a healthy meal or snack, as well as physical activity and enrichment activities. The deadlines to become a summer meal sponsor vary by state, and begin as early as April 15.</p>
<p>USDA continues to work with First Lady Michelle Obama on the Let's Move! initiative, which is helping to promote healthy eating and physical activity and supports the health of American families. Through the combined efforts of USDA and its partners, the United States is beginning to see progress and improvements in the health of our Nation's children.</p>
<p>USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" title="Opens in new window.">Food and Nutrition Service</a> oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program, the National School Lunch Program, and other child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 04 Mar 2015 17:32:16 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"73055 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:81;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:103:"Good News for Parents: New Study Shows Kids Eating More Healthy Food at School, Throwing Less Food Away";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:50:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/0055-15";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3081:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">University of Connecticut&#039;s Rudd Center Research Provides Even More Evidence Updated Meal Standards Are Working</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0055-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-04T00:00:00-05:00">03/04/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 4, 2015 – A <a href="http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/chi.2015.0019" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">new study</a> from the Rudd Center for Food Policy &amp; Obesity at the University of Connecticut shows that children are eating healthier food at school and discarding less food since updated healthy school meal standards took effect in 2012.</p>
<p>Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement on the report's findings:</p>
<p>"Updated healthy school meal standards were developed based on doctors' recommendations to help ensure our children would be able to get healthy food at school. This new study adds to a growing body of scientific research that shows these standards are working. It is clear that kids are now eating healthier food and throwing less food away. This is good news for parents and teachers, who overwhelmingly support healthier meals because they know kids learn better when they have proper nutrition. For Congress to meddle with doctors' recommendations and go back to less healthy meals now would not be in the best interest of our children."</p>
<p>Key findings from the Rudd Center study include:</p>
<ul><li>More students are now choosing to add fruit to their lunch tray than they were before the updated standards went into effect (54 percent in 2012 to 66 percent in 2014).</li>
<li>The percentage of the vegetables on their plates students consumed increased by nearly 20 percent, decreasing the amount of vegetables thrown away.</li>
<li>Students consumed more of their lunch entrées (71 percent in 2012 to 84 percent in 2014), which also decreases food waste.</li>
</ul><p>Read the full report from the Rudd Center for Food Policy &amp; Obesity, University of Connecticut: <a href="http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/chi.2015.0019" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">New School Meal Regulations Increase Fruit Consumption and Do Not Increase Total Plate Waste</a></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 06 Mar 2015 15:30:22 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"73066 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:82;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"USDA Launches Initiative to Develop New Solutions to End Child Hunger";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/005315";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8335:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Grants provide $27 million to States, Tribal Nations to test innovative strategies for ensuring all American children have enough to eat</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0053.15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-02T00:00:00-05:00">03/02/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 2, 2015 – In a speech at the <a href="http://www.antihungerpolicyconference.org/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">2015 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference</a> today about the extent of childhood hunger in America and the impact of USDA programs on reducing food insecurity, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced more than $27 million in grants to fund innovative projects designed help end childhood hunger. The announcement was part of USDA efforts during National Nutrition Month to focus on poverty and food insecurity among children, especially in rural areas. These projects will be tested in Kentucky, Nevada, and Virginia, as well as the Chickasaw and Navajo tribal nations.</p>
<p>"Too many children in America live in households that don't always know where their next meal is coming from. Many families are forced to buy cheaper, less healthy foods because they don't have resources to purchase healthier options, or don't live close to a store that sells healthy food," Secretary Vilsack said. "At USDA, we're deeply committed to ensuring that all Americans, especially children, have access to a healthy diet whether at home or at school. The goal of ending child hunger in America is absolutely achievable, and this new initiative will help us test innovated strategies for getting there."</p>
<p>In the United States, approximately 15.8 million children live in families that have had to worry about access to food, and many of those children live in rural communities. The projects announced today are designed to test innovative strategies to end childhood hunger, including alternative models for service delivery and benefit levels that promote the reduction or elimination of childhood hunger and food insecurity. An independent evaluation will accompany this project to measure impact and identify successful strategies. The projects will be evaluated primarily based on their ability to reduce food insecurity among children.</p>
<p>Made possible by the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), the projects target areas or populations with elevated levels of food insecurity or gaps in nutrition assistance program coverage. HHFKA requires that at least one project be carried out on an Indian reservation in a rural area with a service population having a prevalence of diabetes that exceeds 15 percent. Projects chosen include:</p>
<ul><li><b>Chickasaw Nation</b>: The Chickasaw Nation will implement the Chickasaw Nation Nutrition Services Demonstration Project to End Childhood Hunger, which will provide food through home delivery to households with children who qualify for free school meals. Grant amount: $9.7 million.</li>
<li><b>Kentucky</b>: The Commonwealth of Kentucky will implement the Ticket to Healthy Food Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Demonstration, which will test the impact of providing households with children an additional transportation deduction that may increase their SNAP benefits. The project will serve the Kentucky Highlands area in the southeastern part of the state – a designated Promise Zone. Grant amount: $3.6 million.</li>
<li><b>Navajo Nation</b>: The Navajo Nation Division of Health will implement the Food Access Navigation Project, which will employ Food Access Navigators to evaluate assets and gaps in food access in selected regions of the reservation and provide technical assistance for connecting eligible households to nutrition assistance programs. Grant amount: $2.4 million.</li>
<li><b>Nevada</b>: The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health will implement the Nevada SNAP Enhancement Demonstration Project to test the relative impacts on SNAP households with children of (1) an increase in SNAP benefits, and (2) a SNAP increase plus additional outreach, education, and case management. Grant amount: $3.1 million.</li>
<li><b>Virginia</b>: The Virginia Department of Education will implement the Virginia Hunger-Free Kids Act Demonstration Project, which will test the impact of providing (1) three school meals a day to all children in select schools during the school year, (2) food for weekends and school breaks, and (3) more resources for low-income households to purchase food during the summer months. Grant amount: $8.8 million.</li>
</ul><p>Four of these projects are based in states receiving targeted USDA assistance to address chronic rural poverty through the Department's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE"><b>StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity</b></a>. USDA's StrikeForce Initiative is operational in 770 persistent poverty counties, parishes, boroughs, Colonias and tribal reservations in twenty states.</p>
<p>USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs help struggling families gain access to healthy, nutritious food. Throughout the month of March, which is National Nutrition Month, USDA will highlight the impact of these programs on the 1 in 4 Americans that rely on these vital programs for the nutrition they need.</p>
<p>Healthier people go to the doctor less and have fewer medical expenses, miss fewer days of school and work, are able to join our military to defend our nation, and are more successful in the long run. USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<p>This program also supports the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/12/03/fact-sheet-white-house-tribal-nations-conference" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><b>Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) initiative</b></a> by helping to ensure tribal youth have access to healthy food - a challenge on reservations that often do not have access to a grocery or other healthy alternative except through USDA nutrition programs.</p>
<p>Collectively these policies and actions are helping to combat childhood hunger and obesity, while improving the health and nutrition of the nation's children. In addition to the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs that provide free and reduced priced meals to 21.6 million low-income children each day, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the Summer Food Service Program. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><b>www.fns.usda.gov</b></a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 02 Mar 2015 18:34:19 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"73029 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:83;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:92:"USDA Announces Grants to Support Updated Professional Standards in School Nutrition Programs";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/fns-0002-15";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5562:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Grants to aid with implementation of professional standards final rule in the National School Lunch, School Breakfast Programs</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0002-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-02-27T00:00:00-05:00">02/27/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, D.C., February 27, 2015 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced the availability of up to $4 million in funding for states to support implementation of new national professional standards for all school nutrition employees who manage and operate the National School Lunch (NSLP) and School Breakfast Programs (SBP).  The new standards, also announced  today, through the final <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/03/02/2015-04234/professional-standards-for-state-and-local-school-nutrition-programs-personnel-as-required-by-the">Professional Standards rule</a>, are a key provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA).  </p>
<p>"Each and every school day, thousands of compassionate and hard working women and men devote themselves to making sure that more than 50 million schoolchildren have healthy meals to help them learn and grow to their fullest potential," said Concannon. "These grants and new standards will ensure that school nutrition personnel have the training and tools they need to plan, prepare, and purchase healthy products to create nutritious and enjoyable school meals.”</p>
<p>USDA will competitively-award Fiscal Year 2015 funds to help state agencies develop and implement trainings that satisfy the requirements of the professional standards rule.  A key component of the rule, establishing minimum education and training requirements ensures that school nutrition personnel have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties and responsibilities effectively.                                                     </p>
<p>In developing the final professional standards rule, USDA considered input from a variety of sources, including representatives from state agencies, school districts, and school nutrition professional associations.  As a result, the final rule provides flexibility by creating minimum hiring standards for school food authority directors based on district size. There are also minimum hiring standards for both state directors of school nutrition programs and state directors of distributing agencies that oversee USDA Foods.</p>
<p>The rule requires a minimum amount of annual training hours for all new and current state school nutrition directors, state distributing agency directors, school nutrition directors, managers, and staff.  Required topic areas will vary according to position and job requirements. These changes are effective beginning July 1, 2015, with several built in flexibilities intended to facilitate the first year of implementation and address the challenges faced by smaller school districts.</p>
<p>State agencies administering the NSLP and SBP are eligible to apply for a professional standards grant. Successful grant proposals may provide online and/or in person trainings for school nutrition staff that meet one or more of the learning topics in the areas of: Nutrition, Operations, Administration and Communications/Marketing. They may also provide train-the-trainer sessions to meet learning objectives. The Request for Applications was released today on Grants.gov.  Letters of Intent are due on April 14, 2015, and completed applications are due on June 8, 2015. Up to $150,000 may be requested per state agency.</p>
<p>A comprehensive professional standards website was created to allow school nutrition staff to search for training that meets their learning needs in an easy-to-use location.  The site includes information on webinars, online modules, self-paced training, training materials, manuals, etc.  It also explains how to access the materials, developer information, topics covered, and other details.  For more information visit: <a href="http://professionalstandards.nal.usda.gov">http://professionalstandards.nal.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America’s nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).  Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 26 Feb 2015 17:08:54 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"73025 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"Croberts";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:84;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:83:"USDA Proposes New Science-Based Meal Patterns for Child and Adult Care Food Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/fns-0001-15";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6253:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0001-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-01-09T00:00:00-05:00">01/09/2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a proposed rule today with new science-based nutrition standards for meals provided through USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). With over 3 million children receiving meals from the CACFP each day, the proposed meal patterns will help ensure children have access to healthy, balanced meals throughout the day.  The rule will also provide older adults and adults in nonresidential daycare settings greater access to nutritious foods.</p>
<p>Under the proposed rule, meals served to children and adults in day care will include a greater variety of vegetables and fruits, more whole grains, and less sugar and fat. These changes support the ongoing efforts of numerous parents, and the many public and private organizations that serve children, to solve the current obesity crisis. Today’s proposal is the first major update of the CACFP meal patterns since the program's inception in 1968.</p>
<p>USDA designed meal pattern changes that would not increase cost for providers. The proposal focuses on incremental changes that reflect the science behind the nutritional needs of CACFP’s diverse participants, and are practical and achievable for the program’s varied service providers to implement.  Along with the updated meal patterns, USDA is proposing best practices as a guide for providers when choosing to take additional steps to offer high-quality and nutritious meals in their program.</p>
<p>“With over one in five children under the age of five being overweight or obese, the proposed improvements to the CACFP meal patterns will help safeguard the health of children early in their lives,” Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon said. “Providing children access to nutritious food early in life helps instill healthy habits that can serve as a foundation for a lifetime of healthy choices.”</p>
<p>Mandated by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the proposed meal pattern updates delivered to the <em>Federal Register</em> today for publication next week are designed to work in concert with USDA’s school meals standards, now implemented in schools across the country. Additionally, the proposed changes support breastfeeding and improve access to healthy beverages, including water and low-fat and fat-free milk. These updated meal patterns are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, scientific recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, and stakeholder input.</p>
<p>CACFP contributes to the nutritious foods that young children need for healthy growth, development, and wellness. Each day, the program provides millions of meals and snacks to children in their regular day care, children residing in emergency shelters, youth participating in afterschool programs, and participants in adult day care programs. While data shows childhood obesity rates are starting to level off, the proposed CACFP meal patterns are critical to creating stronger community nutrition programs and continuing successful obesity prevention efforts to help our youngest children learn to enjoy healthy foods and resolve the obesity problem.</p>
<p>“Not only does this program ensure nutritious meals for children,” Concannon said, “It also enables child care providers to sustain their businesses and provide affordable care to low income families.”</p>
<p>USDA is seeking input on the proposed rule from the public.  Those interested in reviewing the proposal and offering comments during the 90 day period are encouraged to do so once it is published at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/">www.regulations.gov</a>, a Web-based portal to make it easy for citizens to participate in the federal rulemaking process. All comments received will be considered carefully in finalizing the rule before it is implemented.</p>
<p>The Child and Adult Care Food Program is one of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. These programs touch the lives of one in four Americans each year and, taken together, comprise America’s nutrition safety net.</p>
<p>For more information about the proposed changes, please visit: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/federal-register-documents">www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/federal-register-documents</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p align="center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:17:13 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"14544 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:85;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:75:"More Than Half of High-Poverty Schools Now Offer Free Meals to all Students";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-001314";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5971:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Nationwide Implementation of Community Eligibility Provision Yields Increased Participation, Reduced Administrative Burden for Schools</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0013.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer  (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-12-09T00:00:00-05:00">12/09/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>FRESNO, Calif., Dec. 9, 2014 -- Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced that more than half of the nation’s high-poverty schools are now offering breakfasts and lunches to students at no cost through the new Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), made possible by the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>.  The provision improves access to nutritious meals for low-income students while reducing administrative burdens for households and schools.</p>
<p>“This initiative reduces hunger among children in high-poverty areas, and ensures students have access to the healthy food they need to succeed in school,” Concannon said during a visit to Fresno’s Edison Computech Middle School. “USDA is encouraged by the initial response of eligible schools and districts during this first year of nationwide implementation.”</p>
<p>The provision provides an alternative to household applications for free and reduced price meals and reduces the burden of collecting funds and maintaining accounts for the few students who pay for school meals. To qualify, schools or districts must have at least 40 percent of the total student enrollment directly certified for free meals, based on their participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or other means-tested assistance programs. Meal costs are shared between the federal government and the school or district.</p>
<p>In school year 2014-15, the first year of national implementation, <a href="/sites/default/files/cn/state-cep-election-data.pdf">51.5 percent of eligible schools are participating in CEP</a> . This means that nearly 14,000 schools in more than 2,000 school districts across the country are offering nutritious meals at no cost to more than 6.4 million students. In addition, 70 percent of school districts opting for CEP have elected to implement the provision district-wide.</p>
<p>Across the country, schools and districts of all sizes that have implemented CEP are seeing increased participation in the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp">National School Lunch</a> and <a href="/sbp/school-breakfast-program-sbp">School Breakfast</a> programs, and are serving more meals than in previous years. Some school districts have seen participation increase by as much as 37 percent. So far this year, the Fresno Unified School District has seen a 4 percent increase in meals served to nearly 71,000 students.                                                                                                                                                </p>
<p>“This is a strong first step, but we know there are still many eligible schools that can benefit from CEP,” Concannon said.  “We continue to work with our national, state, and local partners to ensure that non-participating schools know of the benefits that CEP can provide to their communities.”</p>
<p>CEP was phased-in over a three-year period, starting in School Year 2011-12 in school districts across the country, including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The provision became available to eligible schools and districts nationwide beginning July 1, 2014. Districts now have until June 30 each year to elect to participate in CEP for some of all of their schools during the following school year.  For more information on CEP, please visit: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/community-eligibility-provision">http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/community-eligibility-provision</a></p>
<p align="center"><em>##</em></p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/healthier-school-day" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthier School Day</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:25:19 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"14283 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:86;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:111:"USDA Selects States for Participation in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-001214";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8077:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Pilot will support schools’ efforts to procure more fruits and vegetables; Offers new opportunity that supports local producers and local economies</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0012.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer  (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-12-08T00:00:00-05:00">12/08/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, December 8, 2014 – Today USDA announced the selection of eight states to participate in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables, as directed by the Agricultural Act of 2014, also known as the Farm Bill. Under the pilot, California, Connecticut, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin will be able to increase their purchases of locally-grown fruits and vegetables for their school meal programs.</p>
<p>USDA Foods – provided by the USDA to schools – make up about 20 percent of the foods served in schools.  States use their USDA Foods allocation to select items from a list of 180 products including fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, poultry, rice, low fat cheese, beans, pasta, flour and other whole grain products.  This pilot program will allow the selected states to use some of their USDA Foods allocation to purchase unprocessed fruits and vegetables directly, instead of going through the USDA Foods program.</p>
<p>“Providing pilot states with more flexibility in the use of their USDA Foods' dollars offers states another opportunity to provide schoolchildren with additional fruits and vegetables from within their own communities,” said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.  "When schools invest food dollars into local communities, all of agriculture benefits, including local farmers, ranchers, fishermen, food processors and manufacturers.”</p>
<p>These states were selected based on their demonstrated commitment to farm to school efforts, including prior efforts to increase and promote farm to school programs in the state, the quantity and variety of growers of local fruits and vegetables in the state on a per capita basis, and the degree to which the state contains a sufficient quantity of local educational agencies of various population sizes and geographic locations. </p>
<p>This pilot is designed to support the schools’ pre-existing relationships with vendors, growers, produce wholesalers, and distributors, and increase the use of locally-grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables in school meal programs. While the pilot does not require sourcing locally grown foods, the project will enable schools to increase their use of locally-grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables from <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/solicitations">AMS authorized vendors</a>.  Unprocessed fruits and vegetables include products that are minimally processed such as sliced apples, baby carrots, and shredded lettuce. For more information about the pilot, please visit the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/pilot-project-procurement-unprocessed-fruits-and-vegetables">Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables</a> website.</p>
<p>Building robust connections between farms and institutions, including schools, is a key element of USDA’s <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative</a>, which coordinates USDA’s efforts and investments in local food system development.  Since, 2009, USDA has supported over 3,000 projects nationwide to build new opportunities in local and regional foods, mainly through programs authorized in the Farm Bill:</p>
<ul><li>USDA has expanded access to healthy foods in underserved communities by making EBT available at farmers markets. Over 5,000 farmers markets now accept EBT, and SNAP redemption at farmers markets nationwide rose from $4 million in 2009 to over $21 million in 2013.  In September, USDA announced the application season for the <a href="http://nifa.usda.gov/program/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program">Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program</a>, a new Farm Bill program to help low-income consumers purchase more fruits and vegetables, particularly locally-grown produce, by providing incentives at the point of purchase.</li>
<li>USDA’s <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school">Farm to School grant program</a> has funded 221 projects in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands since this program began in 2013. According to the USDA’s Farm to School Census, schools spent over $385 million on local food purchases during the 2011-2012 school year.</li>
<li>In FY14 alone, USDA facilitated over 330 new markets for local foods – including food hubs, scale-appropriate processing, and distribution networks – that are connecting rural producers with new sources of revenue and creating jobs.</li>
</ul><p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the National School Lunch Program, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p>Today’s announcement was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit: <a href="http://www.usda.gov/farmbill">www.usda.gov/farmbill</a>.</p>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/farm-bill" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Farm Bill</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 08 Dec 2014 16:05:02 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"14279 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:87;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:81:"USDA Announces New Support to Help Schools Purchase More Food from Local Farmers ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/026014";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9119:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Farm to School Grants Help Schools get Healthy Local Food, Strengthen Local Economies</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0260.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-12-02T00:00:00-05:00">12/02/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced more than $5 million in grants for 82 projects spanning 42 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands that support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to connect school cafeterias with local farmers and ranchers through its Farm to School Program. The program helps schools purchase more food from local farmers and ranchers in their communities, expanding access to healthy local food for school children and supporting local economies. According to USDA's first-ever <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School Census</a> released earlier this year, school districts participating in farm to school programs purchased and served over $385 million in local food in school year 2011-2012, with more than half of participating schools planning to increase their purchases of local food in the future.</p>
<p>"USDA is proud to support communities across the country as they plan and implement innovative farm to school projects," said Vilsack. "These inspiring collaborations provide students with healthy, fresh food, while supporting healthy local economies. Through farm to school projects, community partners are coming together to ensure a bright future for students, and for local farmers and ranchers."</p>
<p>Secretary Vilsack made this announcement at Common Market, a pioneering food hub in Philadelphia that connects wholesale customers to farmers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Common Market is receiving a grant to support their "An Apple a Day" Program. The facility will act as a bridge between Pennsylvania Family Farms, a small Pennsylvania value-added processor, and public charter schools to provide food safety, product development, packaging, educational, marketing, planning, ordering and delivery support to farm and school food service partners.</p>
<p>Together, Common Market and the other selected projects will serve more than 4,800 schools and 2.8 million students, nearly 51 percent of whom live in rural communities. A few additional examples include:</p>
<ul><li>Tift County School System in Georgia will build on its current efforts to provide agriculture and nutrition programs that are experiential, educational and better connect students to local and regional food. Proposed activities include retrofitting a school bus to serve as a farm bus/rolling classroom, retrofitting a canning plant to preserve local tomatoes, and irrigating the school farm to expand the growing season and increase yield.</li>
<li>Colonial School District in Delaware will have students and staff directly engaged in the entire process of planning, growing and processing foods, creating new menus, and placing healthy foods directly into school nutrition programs. At the Historic Penn Farm, high school students will grow crops for both the school's breakfast and lunch programs.</li>
<li>The Inter Tribal Buffalo Council in South Dakota intends to provide locally raised tribal bison meat into the school lunch programs, procure other locally produced food products, and implement school gardens.</li>
<li>The National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA) will connect local youth producers/FFA members to school food buyers and host a series of webinars focused on developing state level partnerships.</li>
</ul><p><i>For a complete list of FY15 Farm to School grant recipients, please visit: </i> <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/f2s/FY_2015_Grant_Award_Summaries.pdf" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/f2s/FY_2015_Grant_Award_Summaries.pdf</a></p>
<p>USDA's Farm to School Grants help schools respond to the growing demand for locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, including food processors, manufacturers, and distributors. Grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes. USDA Farm to School Conference and Event Grants support regional, state, and national conferences, events and/or trainings that have a specific emphasis on developing supply chain relationships by connecting local producers to school food buyers, along with events and trainings that provide technical assistance or other programming in the area of local procurement, food safety, culinary education and integration of agriculture-based curriculum.</p>
<p>USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School Program</a> is made possible by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which authorized USDA to provide grants and technical assistance to help schools gain better access to local foods. Since 2012, USDA has awarded $15.1 million in grants to 221 Farm to School projects in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. The Farm to School program is a core element of the USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative</a>, which coordinates the department's work on local food systems.</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<ul><li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>.</li>
<li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities.</li>
<li>USDA awarded <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/029712" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">$5.2 million in grants to provide training and technical assistance</a> for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs.</li>
<li>Since 2009, USDA has provided <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/006514" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">$160 million in kitchen equipment funding</a> to states and schools. The President's fiscal year 2015 budget requests an additional $35 million for kitchen equipment grants. These grants are one of several ways that USDA is supporting schools as the implement the updated nutrition standards.</li>
<li>USDA recently launched a pilot project, called <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/09/18/team-up-for-success-usda-and-partners-help-secure-a-healthier-school-day/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Team Up for School Nutrition Success</a>, which is working with schools to identify challenges, provide free, customized training, and match schools with mentors who have successfully addressed similar challenges.</li>
</ul><p>Collectively these policies and actions are helping to combat child hunger and obesity, while improving the health and nutrition of the nation's children. For more information on USDA's Farm to School Program, please visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 02 Dec 2014 19:59:32 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"14264 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:88;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:72:"USDA Explores Cost Effective Ways to Improve Summer Food Access for Kids";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-001114";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6326:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0011.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications: (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-11-14T00:00:00-05:00">11/14/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, November 14, 2014 – Complementary programs that extend the reach of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) summer meal programs could help reduce childhood food insecurity during the summer, according to three studies released today by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The studies found that making enhancements to the traditional program, or utilizing alternate methods of reaching eligible children, could reach additional children and reduce childhood food insecurity during the summer to levels normally seen in the fall.</p>
<p>As part of USDA’s mission to address increased child hunger during the summer, USDA has conducted a series of projects examining ways to better serve children from low-income families, particularly those living in remote areas or areas otherwise underserved by USDA’s <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">summer meal programs</a>. The interventions tested included delivery of meals in rural areas, providing backpacks with food for weekends and holidays when summer meal sites were not available, and providing summertime nutrition assistance benefits through electronic benefit transfer (EBT).  The studies found that some of these innovative strategies were effective in reaching additional children, and some substantially reduced childhood hunger in low-income families.</p>
<p>“These results are an important step forward,” Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon said. “Children from low-income households depend on USDA’s nutrition assistance programs when schools are closed, which makes finding ways to improve these programs vitally important.”</p>
<p>USDA has tested a number of alternatives to its standard <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a>, to address challenges in the program and expand access to underserved families.  The <a href="/summer-electronic-benefits-transfer-children-sebtc-demonstration-evaluation-findings-third">Summer EBT for Children demonstration project</a>, a strategy evaluated as an alternative to the traditional summer meal programs, tested the impact of providing a monthly benefit per school age child on food insecurity among low-income children during the summer.  These benefits were delivered through existing EBT systems used in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).</p>
<p>A <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/03/19/summer-food-for-children-demonstration-projects-finding-new-ways-to-end-childhood-hunger/">previous evaluation</a> showed that a $60 per child, per month benefit during the summer reduced the incidence of the most severe form of food insecurity among children by about one-third, with positive effects on less severe forms as well. A report released today found that a $30 benefit was as effective in reducing the most severe category of food insecurity among children during the summer. At both benefit levels, the Summer EBT for Children program was more effective at reaching eligible children.  Between 23-42 percent of eligible children joined the program, compared to about 16 percent who participate in traditional summer meal programs. </p>
<p>Two additional demonstrations discussed in today’s reports tested enhancements to the traditional Summer Food Service Program to <a href="/evaluation-impact-wave-2-incentives-demonstrations-participation-summer-food-service-program-sfsp-fy">expand the reach of the program</a> and further <a href="/evaluation-2012-summer-food-service-program-enhancement-demonstrations">reduce food insecurity</a>.  In one project, breakfast and lunch was delivered to children in rural areas of Delaware, Massachusetts, and New York who did not have access to regular SFSP sites. The studies found that this method was able to reach children in rural areas who did not have access to traditional summer meal programs, but the overall number of additional children was relatively small. A second project provided children in Arizona, Kansas, and Ohio with backpacks of food for consumption during weekend periods when SFSP sites were closed. The backpack project was effective in reaching families with the highest levels of poverty, but had mixed results on participation, with one state showing increases in participation, one showing only modest gains, and the other showing declines. Although the enhancement projects had mixed results, the evaluation found that in both cases, participating families and site operators felt the demonstrations were an important resource to address summertime hunger.</p>
<p>USDA has requested $30 million in the 2015 budget to expand the Summer EBT for Children pilots. If additional funding is made available, FNS will work with states to explore the best options for further implementation of this successful project.</p>
<p>FNS oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p align="center"> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:09:04 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"13291 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:89;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:101:"USDA’s WIC Program Has Provided Nutrition Support for New Mothers, Young Children for Over 40 Years";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-001014";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6588:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0010.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer  (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-10-22T00:00:00-04:00">10/22/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, October 22, 2014 – USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is commemorating the 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/women-infants-and-children-wic">Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children</a>, more commonly known as the WIC Program. WIC was established in 1974 to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of our nation’s children.  Today, the WIC program is considered one of the most successful, cost-effective and important nutrition intervention programs in the country. Each month WIC safeguards the health of approximately 8.25 million low-income women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk by providing supplemental food benefits, nutrition education, healthcare referrals, and breastfeeding promotion and support.</p>
<p>“As we commemorate 40 years of accomplishments, WIC’s impact can be seen not only through improved child health, but in healthcare cost savings and economic support for local merchants through WIC participant purchases,” said Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. “In fact, WIC participation actually saves money for taxpayers. Studies on WIC participation among low-income Medicaid recipients show that every dollar spent on prenatal WIC participation saves $1.77 to $3.13 within the first 60 days after birth.” </p>
<p>Since the first WIC site opened in Pineville, Ky., in 1974, the program has improved the health and lives of millions of children, providing nutritious supplemental foods and instilling healthy behaviors that children can carry with them for a lifetime. Significant milestones throughout the years include:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Over the last four decades, WIC participation has contributed to lower infant mortality rates and improved pregnancy outcomes.</strong> A 2009 study concluded that WIC participation was associated with a substantial reduction in poor birth outcomes such as birth weights below 2,500 grams (about 5 pounds, 8 ounces). The study reported that these positive effects of WIC are more pronounced among more disadvantaged WIC participants and are greater if the mother begins participating in WIC early in her pregnancy.</li>
</ul><ul><li><strong>WIC has a significant, positive impact on the overall health of children.</strong> Studies have found that infants of low-income women who did not receive WIC assistance were more likely to be underweight, and also perceived as having fair or poor health.</li>
</ul><ul><li><strong>WIC participation is related to greater use of health care services of all types</strong>, including dental care, compared to low-income children not participating in WIC. Also, a Chicago study found that by age 25 months, children who were participating in WIC were more likely to be immunized than children in the same age group who no longer participated in WIC.</li>
</ul><ul><li><strong>WIC is helping to address childhood obesity in America. </strong>According to the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/women-infants-and-children-wic-participant-and-program-characteristics-2012">2012 WIC Participant Characteristics</a> report published by USDA, from 2008 to 2012, the percentage of 1-year-old WIC children considered overweight fell from 16.8 to 15.3; similarly over the same time period for two to four year old children, the rate fell from 14.7 to 14.0.</li>
</ul><ul><li><strong>The WIC food package was recently updated to provide healthier options.</strong> In 1974, the original food package included iron-fortified formula and cereal, fruit juice, cheese, eggs, and milk. Today, the food package is more consistent with current science-based dietary guidance, offering a wider array of healthy choices, including fruits and vegetables, yogurt, and additional whole grain and fish options.</li>
</ul><ul><li><strong>WIC has begun the transition to an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) program.</strong> To further improve program operations and integrity, and to enhance the participant experience, WIC is moving to electronic benefits transfer (EBT). Using EBT instead of paper vouchers reduces stigma and helps WIC participants more effectively redeem their benefits. WIC is working diligently to implement EBT nationwide by October 2020. To date, 13 WIC state agencies have successfully transitioned to EBT statewide.</li>
</ul><p>The WIC program currently operates in all 50 states, 34 tribal organizations, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. WIC services are made available through approximately 1,900 local agencies and 10,000 clinic sites.</p>
<p>More information about the WIC Program can be found at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic">www.fns.usda.gov/WIC</a>. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to WIC, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:28:03 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"13140 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:90;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:100:"USDA Awards Funding for Regional Centers of Excellence in Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/023014";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6533:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0230.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">NIFA Office of Communications: (202) 720-8188 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-10-17T00:00:00-04:00">10/17/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today awarded $4 million in grants to establish four regional centers of excellence for research on nutrition education and obesity prevention, as well as a coordinating center, which will develop and test innovative nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions for underserved, low-income families.</p>
<p>"Nearly one in three children today is overweight or obese, and nutrition promotion strategies, including education, public policies, health systems, and environmental changes, are the key to reversing this trend," said Sonny Ramaswamy, Ph.D., National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) director. "These grants provide the opportunity to improve the health of our next generation and ensure that all children have access to the tools they need to improve their nutrition and physical fitness."</p>
<p>"This joint grant program is one of the most important and powerful tools at our disposal to promote healthier choices and improved physical health among participants in our nutrition assistance programs," said Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Administrator Audrey Rowe. "I am thrilled that we have been able to launch this partnership to drive innovation and increase our impact in preventing and reducing obesity."</p>
<p>Together, FNS and NIFA will support effective education and extension services through two preexisting programs; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). This joint effort, known as the SNAP &amp; EFNEP: Regional Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Centers of Excellence (RNECE) will establish centers at Colorado State University, Cornell University, Purdue University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and one national coordinating center at the University of Kentucky.</p>
<p>Each regional center will administer at least one signature research project that will be tailored to address a specific need in that region. In addition, centers will competitively-award and evaluate sub-grants for projects in their region. Findings from each of the centers will be shared across all EFNEP and SNAP-Ed agencies, as well as the scientific community and the general public. Collectively, these actions will also help USDA ensure SNAP-Ed strategies and interventions are evidence-based as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.</p>
<p>The National Coordination Center will coordinate communications across the four regions and disseminate findings. The national center will also aggregate data to share with policy makers and other stakeholders, and will work with NIFA to organize annual meetings with the regional centers. The interventions developed through the centers will likely benefit additional populations beyond SNAP and EFNEP participants.</p>
<p>The $4 million in funding supports USDA's strategic goal of developing and extending a research-based approach to obesity prevention, ultimately producing measurable improvements in health, obesity, nutrition and physical activity-related outcomes.</p>
<p>Fiscal year 2014 awards include:</p>
<ul><li>Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., $856,250</li>
<li>Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., $856,250</li>
<li>University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky., 175,000</li>
<li>Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $856,250</li>
<li>University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C., $856,250</li>
</ul><p>SNAP-Ed was initiated in 1992, and is administered by participating state SNAP agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. SNAP-Ed is delivered by nearly 100 implementing agencies, including land-grant universities in 47 states, public health departments, food banks, non-profit organizations, and others.</p>
<p>EFNEP was started in 1969 and is administered and implemented by 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and six U.S. territories.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to SNAP, these programs include the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. Improving the diets of participants is a key component of USDA's nutrition assistance programs. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p>Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.nifa.usda.gov">www.nifa.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/nutrition-education" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Nutrition Education</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:41:00 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"13109 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:91;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:70:"USDA Awards Grants to Help States Cut Down on SNAP Benefit Trafficking";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-000914";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5928:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0009.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer  (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-09-30T00:00:00-04:00">09/30/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, September 30, 2014 – Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced the release of just over $5 million in grant funds to identify, track, and prevent misuse of <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP) benefits by program recipients. These grants will particularly help state agencies reduce SNAP trafficking, primarily the exchange of benefits for cash or other goods or services.</p>
<p>“USDA is committed to ensuring that SNAP benefits are used as intended, helping families put food on the table,” said Concannon.  “SNAP fraud is rare, but no level of abuse is acceptable. USDA continues to enhance our efforts to combat retailer fraud, and partner with states to improve recipient-focused investigations.”</p>
<p>The SNAP Recipient Trafficking Prevention Grant Program was designed to improve outcomes in the prevention, detection, and prosecution of recipient trafficking.  Recipients found guilty of trafficking are subject to severe penalties, including permanent disqualification from the program and criminal prosecution. USDA intends to review the results of these projects to determine the most effective strategies and then share those best practices with state agencies, nationwide. The grantees are:</p>
<ul><li>Florida - $345,576</li>
<li>Kentucky - $1,189,890</li>
<li>Missouri - $599,642</li>
<li>Ohio - $15,000</li>
<li>Oregon - $314,844</li>
<li>Tennessee - $1,484,618</li>
<li>Washington - $750,984</li>
</ul><p>The grantees will implement strategies to improve the effectiveness of integrity monitoring efforts and increase the number of investigations of recipients suspected of trafficking SNAP benefits.  For example, Oregon is combining analytics and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to better target fraud related to excessive electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card replacement requests.  The state of Washington is using innovative strategies to monitor and investigate fraud occurring via social media and e-commerce websites.</p>
<p>In addition to the SNAP Recipient Trafficking Prevention Grant Program, USDA is awarding a separate grant to South Carolina to conduct a pilot project designed to increase prosecutions of recipients found guilty of trafficking SNAP benefits, helping to ensure that bad actors are held accountable.  South Carolina will receive $318,840.</p>
<p>The vast majority of SNAP recipients and retailers abide by the rules.  Since the early 1990’s, using cutting-edge technology, USDA and partners reduced trafficking from 4 percent to approximately 1.3 percent.  USDA has a zero tolerance policy on fraud, and reducing fraud waste and abuse is a top priority for this administration.  USDA investigates fraud among retailers, and works with states to peruse recipient fraud.  In efforts to identify and reduce fraud among retailers who accept SNAP benefits, USDA took the following actions through the third quarter fiscal year 2014:</p>
<ul><li>Imposed sanctions, through fines or temporary disqualifications, on 518 stores found violating program rules; and</li>
<li>Disqualified permanently 1,084 stores for trafficking SNAP benefits (i.e. illegally exchanging SNAP benefits for cash) or falsifying an application.</li>
</ul><p>For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud in nutrition assistance programs, visit the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity">FNS program integrity website</a>.</p>
<p>SNAP - the nation's first line of defense against hunger - helps put food on the table for millions of families experiencing hardship. The program has never been more critical to the fight against hunger.  Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, and 42 percent of recipients live in households in which at least one adult is working but still cannot afford to put food on the table.  SNAP benefits provided help to millions who lost their jobs during the Great Recession. For many, SNAP benefits provide temporary assistance, with the average new applicant remaining on the program 10 months.</p>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p align="center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/program-integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Program Integrity</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 30 Sep 2014 18:16:05 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12974 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:92;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:81:"USDA Announces up to $31 Million to Empower People to Make Healthy Eating Choices";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/021514";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7147:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0215.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jennifer Martin (202) 720-8188</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-09-29T00:00:00-04:00">09/29/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Richmond, VA, Sept. 29, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is making up to $31.5 million in funding available to help participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) more easily afford healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Secretary Vilsack made the announcement with Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe in Richmond.</p>
<p>"Too many struggling families do not have adequate access to nutritious food," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Helping families purchase more fresh produce is clearly good for families' health, helps contribute to lower health costs for the country, and increases local food sales for family farmers. Public-private partnerships with non-profit organizations and other community groups are already proving to have great success across the country. These resources will allow partnerships like these to help even more families."</p>
<p>The Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program, a new Farm Bill program, brings together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and fosters understanding of how they might improve the nutrition and health status of SNAP households. Under FINI, applicants may propose relatively small pilot projects, multi-year community-based projects, or larger-scale multi-year projects. Funded projects will test community based strategies that could contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants through incentives at the point of purchase, supported by effective and efficient benefit redemption technologies, that would inform future efforts.</p>
<p>NIFA will give priority to projects that:</p>
<ul><li>Maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants</li>
<li>Test innovative or promising strategies that would contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants, which would inform future efforts</li>
<li>Develop innovative or improved benefit redemption systems that could be replicated or scaled</li>
<li>Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing</li>
<li>Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers</li>
<li>Provide locally- or regionally-produced fruits and vegetables, especially culturally-appropriate fruits and vegetables for the target audience</li>
<li>Are located in underserved communities, particularly Promise Zones and StrikeForce communities.</li>
</ul><p>All FINI projects must (1) have the support of a state SNAP agency; (2) increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase; (3) operate through authorized SNAP retailers, and be in compliance with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements; (4) agree to participate in the FINI comprehensive program evaluation; (5) ensure that the same terms and conditions apply to purchases made by individuals receiving SNAP benefits as apply to purchases made by individuals who are not SNAP participants; and (6) include effective and efficient technologies for benefit redemption systems that may be replicated in other states and communities.</p>
<p>Applications are requested in each of the following three categories: (1) FINI pilot projects (awards not to exceed $100,000 over one year); (2) multi-year, community-based FINI projects (awards not to exceed $500,000 over no more than four years); and (3) multi-year, FINI large-scale projects (awards of $500,000 or more over no more than four years).</p>
<p>FINI is a joint effort between NIFA and USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, which oversees SNAP and has responsibility for evaluating the impacts of the incentive projects. This solicitation combines funds for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. There will not be a solicitation in fiscal year 2015. Applications are due Dec. 15, 2014. NIFA will host a webinar for applicants on Oct. 2 at 2 p.m., EDT.</p>
<p>Funding for the FINI program is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.usda.gov/farmbill">www.usda.gov/farmbill</a>.</p>
<p>SNAP - the nation's first line of defense against hunger - helps put food on the table for millions of families experiencing hardship. The program has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, and 42 percent of recipients live in households in which at least one adult is working but still cannot afford to put food on the table. SNAP benefits provided help to millions who lost their jobs during the Great Recession. For many, SNAP benefits provide temporary assistance, with the average new applicant remaining on the program 10 months.</p>
<p>Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. More information is at <a href="http://www.nifa.usda.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.nifa.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p>#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:21:36 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12973 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:93;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:90:"USDA Awards Grants to Improve SNAP Processing and Enhance Employment and Training Programs";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-000814";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5059:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0008.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-09-26T00:00:00-04:00">09/26/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2014 -- Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced $5 million in grants to streamline processing, improve technology, and strengthen employment and training programs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The competitively-awarded grants will fund 11 projects in seven states, improving efficiency in local SNAP programs.</p>
<p>“Projects funded by these grants will improve access for eligible families in need of nutrition assistance,” Concannon said. “Some of these projects will focus on improving access to SNAP Employment and Training programs, which help people get back into the workforce, achieve self-sufficiency, and build a stronger future for their families.”</p>
<p>Grantees will find ways to improve operations and increase efficiency within local SNAP offices in order to simplify the process for SNAP households.  These initiatives will use new technologies or examine office procedures and shorten application processing times for initial applications or re-certifications.  For example, Suffolk County, N.Y., will use its grant funds to bring touch screen computers and high speed scanners to each of its four service centers, providing a way for SNAP households to quickly and securely submit applications and verification documents.</p>
<p>Projects with a targeted focus on increasing the effectiveness of employment and training activities, which equip work-ready adults in SNAP households with the skills they need to find and retain good jobs.  For example, with this grant award the County of San Diego will create a website with an online learning component to enhance its current employment and training program. They will also use technology to improve access for SNAP recipients and facilitate communication with potential employers.</p>
<p>The Process and Technology Improvement Grants target state agencies, community- or faith-based organizations, public health or educational entities, and food banks.  The grantees and awards for FY 2014 include:</p>
<ul><li>Monroe County Department of Human Resources (N.Y.) - $6,682</li>
<li>Florida Department of Children and Families, Economic Self-Sufficiency (Fla.) - $150,757</li>
<li>Oklahoma Department of Human Resources (Okla.) - $1,415,712</li>
<li>Oregon Department of Human Services (Ore.) - $646,000</li>
<li>City of New Human Resources Administration Department of Social Services (N.Y.) - $720,239</li>
<li>Steuben County Department of Social Services (N.Y.) - $20,692</li>
<li>County of Suffolk (N.Y.) - $175,000</li>
<li>County of San Diego (Calif.) - $1,000,000</li>
<li>Erie County Department of Social Services (N.Y.) – $41,609</li>
<li>State of Connecticut Department of Social Services (Conn.) - $75,100</li>
<li>Jackson Medical Mall Foundation’s Community Development Corporation (Miss.) - $748,209</li>
</ul><p>For more information on the projects, please visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-program-improvement">the SNAP program improvement website</a>.</p>
<p>SNAP - the nation's first line of defense against hunger - helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. As the largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, SNAP has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 46 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, nine percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">##</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:46:30 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12969 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:94;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:67:"USDA Requests Applications for Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/020514";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5335:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Grant will support strategies to reduce child food insecurity in rural communities</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0205.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-09-22T00:00:00-04:00">09/22/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that up to $2.5 million is available to establish the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center. This competitive grant is part of USDA's efforts to reduce childhood food insecurity in rural communities in America.</p>
<p>Trends show that both the overall rural poverty rate and the rural child poverty rate have exceeded rates in urban areas for over thirty years. In 2012, one out of every four children in rural areas lived in poverty, and 21.2 percent of rural households with children were food insecure. Deep poverty, defined by income that is below 50 percent of the poverty level ($1,000 per month for a family of four in 2012) was a reality for one in eight rural children.</p>
<p>"The goal of the center is to reduce child food insecurity by improving access and coordination among child nutrition programs in up to 30 rural communities with persistently high poverty rates," Vilsack said. "Children living in persistently-poor, rural areas tend to experience worse outcomes in terms of nutrition, activity, and obesity. The Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center would facilitate innovative strategies to support a healthier next generation in rural America"</p>
<p>The center will develop, administer, and evaluate a series of sub-grants to improve services in these communities. The center will also organize several conferences to exchange lessons learned and develop a report on best practices. The rural communities will use their funds to target child food insecurity through greater coordination of the nutrition programs. For example, communities could use their funds to identify strategies to increase community involvement or to apply more effective uses of technology and digital media to improve program coordination.</p>
<p>This initiative is part of USDA's commitment to growing economies, increasing investments, and creating opportunities in poverty-stricken rural communities. Nearly 85 percent of America's persistent poverty counties are in rural areas. Through the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE">USDA StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity</a>, USDA has supported partnerships and projects in over 700 persistent poverty counties, parishes, boroughs, Colonias and tribal reservations. The USDA Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center will work cooperatively with USDA's Food and Nutrition Service to issue sub-grants targeting persistently poor rural counties in the 15 states with the largest number of persistently-poor counties. This initiative will target all StrikeForce states, as well as Minnesota and Missouri.</p>
<p>Accredited colleges and universities, as well as private and public research institutions are eligible to apply. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service will select one institution or organization for the award. A copy of the request and more information has been recently posted on <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/ops/research-and-analysis" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov/ops/research-and-analysis</a> and <a href="http://www.grants.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.grants.gov</a>.</p>
<p>FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs, the largest of these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p>#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 22 Sep 2014 18:12:54 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12959 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:95;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:97:" Deadline Approaching for SNAP Retailers to Pay EBT Equipment Costs, as Required by the Farm Bill";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-000714";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6585:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-000714</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-09-17T00:00:00-04:00">09/17/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2014 – As required by Congress in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (also known as the Farm Bill), retailers already authorized to accept USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits must arrange and pay for their own Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) equipment, supplies, and related services.  USDA officials are reminding retailers that they must take action by September 21 or risk being unable to accept and process SNAP benefits, or be charged for services by the processing vendor currently used by the state.</p>
<p>“EBT has transformed the way SNAP benefits are issued,” Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon said. “It has modernized SNAP transactions, saved taxpayer dollars, and improved the process for clients, retailers and state and federal administrators. We have been sending out reminders to retailers for the past six months, and we want to try to get the word out one more time to make sure that all SNAP retailers are aware that they must take action.”</p>
<p>In keeping with the Farm Bill, all SNAP retailers, with a few exceptions, must lease or purchase EBT equipment and services through their chosen service provider no later than the September 21 deadline. Retailers that already have equipment to process credit and debit cards may contact their current processor about adding EBT service to their existing equipment. Retailers who have not taken note of the information previously provided in mailings, via email, and via phone calls regarding this change may be surprised to receive bills from the state’s current EBT service provider or to find that existing equipment has stopped working.</p>
<p>Prior to this legislation, authorized retailers could receive free SNAP EBT equipment from their state. A small number of SNAP-authorized firms are exempt from these new requirements, including military commissaries, group living arrangements, non-profit food buying cooperatives, farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers, but the vast majority of retailers must obtain their own equipment and services by the deadline.  More information about exempted retailers and options for non-exempt retailers is available at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt">www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt</a>.  Retailers who need information about where to obtain EBT equipment and services can refer to the <a href="/sites/default/files/snap/SNAP-EBT-Third-Party-Processor-List-and-Retailer-Guidance.pdf">SNAP EBT Third Party Processor List</a>.</p>
<p>Concannon emphasized that the change will not increase food costs for program participants. SNAP regulations continue to stipulate that the retailer costs of EBT equipment and services cannot be transferred to SNAP households.  Retailers may not establish a minimum dollar amount for SNAP purchases or charge SNAP customers a fee, commonly called a transaction fee, for using their EBT benefits.</p>
<p>EBT has been used exclusively to distribute and use SNAP benefits since 2004, eliminating the cumbersome and costly process of issuing and redeeming paper food stamps.  EBT was also a giant leap forward for the integrity of the program because it creates an electronic record of each transaction, making it easier to identify the illegal use of SNAP benefits known as trafficking.</p>
<p>Since the Farm Bill passed in March, USDA has worked to notify retailers directly through emails, direct mailings, phone calls to affected retailers and announcements on the Food and Nutrition Service’s website.  USDA is continuing to work with partners, including the National Grocers Association, Food Marketing Institute, National Association of Convenience Stores and state retailer associations to help ensure that local retailers are able to serve their SNAP customers without interruption.  States and their EBT vendors have also had significant communications with affected retailers offering options so that stores may continue to accept SNAP benefits if they choose, and machines will not be turned off without notice.  Retailers needing more information should contact the Food and Nutrition Service at <a href="mailto:RPMDHQ-WEB@fns.usda.gov">RPMDHQ-WEB@fns.usda.gov.</a>  SNAP customers looking for authorized retailers in their area can visit the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailerlocator">SNAP Retailer Locator</a>.</p>
<p>SNAP - the nation's first line of defense against hunger - helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month.  As the largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, SNAP has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 46 million low-income individuals.  Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, nine percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Press release is also available in<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/sp-FNS_000714.pdf"> Spanish</a> and <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/ko-FNS_000714.pdf">Korean</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">##</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay)</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 17 Sep 2014 19:30:35 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12947 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:96;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:90:"USDA Announces $200 Million to Promote Innovation in SNAP Employment and Training Programs";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/018614";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6661:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0186.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-08-25T00:00:00-04:00">08/25/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2014 – The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that up to $200 million in competitive grants is available for state SNAP agencies to design and conduct employment and training (E&amp;T) pilot projects to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants find jobs and increase their earnings. A portion of these funds will be used to fund an independent evaluation of the E&amp;T pilots. The solicitation for the evaluation contract was also released today.</p>
<p>"Many SNAP participants are struggling to find work, and a large percentage already have a job but are getting paid so little that they still need assistance to put food on the table," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "When provided the opportunity to obtain additional skills many SNAP recipients are able to obtain a good job and transition out of the program. The grants announced today will allow us to test innovative approaches to give folks the opportunity to get training, get a good job and build stronger futures for their families."</p>
<p>Authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, the grants will fund up to 10 pilot projects to test a variety of methods designed to enhance employability, increase the earnings of SNAP work registrants, and help people transition from the program. USDA intends to test a wide array of approaches, including those focused on education and training, rehabilitative services for individuals with barriers to employment, rapid attachment to work, and other strategies. USDA is particularly interested in pilots that target hard-to-serve populations, and test job-driven training strategies that include work-based learning or career pathway approaches or utilize strong public-private partnerships.</p>
<p>USDA is looking for states to submit proposals that target populations indicated by the Farm Bill, including individuals with low skills, able-bodied adults without dependents, and recipients who are working in very low-wage or part-time jobs. The grants will be distributed across a range of geographic areas, including rural and urban parts of the country. The rigorous, independent evaluation of these projects will help USDA to identify which approaches are most effective for the diverse populations served by SNAP E&amp;T programs.</p>
<p>In designing pilot project proposals, USDA encourages states to engage employers up front and use data on in-demand jobs in order to open doors for SNAP recipients who are able to work.</p>
<p>"SNAP E&amp;T programs should be designed to address not only the needs of SNAP participants but also the needs of employers," noted Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. "These programs should support the economy by preparing SNAP participants for available, in-demand jobs and careers."</p>
<p>Grant applications are due Nov. 24, 2014. All 53 state agencies currently administering SNAP are eligible to apply (including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and the Virgin Islands). Awards will be announced in February 2015. The Request for Applications is available on <a href="http://www.grants.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.grants.gov</a> and on the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/2014-snap-e-t-pilots" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">FNS website</a>. The grants will fund a performance period of three years and USDA expects projects to be operational by Oct. 1, 2015. Proposals to evaluate the impact of the pilots are due Oct. 1, 2014.</p>
<p>Today's announcement was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit: <a href="http://www.usda.gov/farmbill">www.usda.gov/farmbill</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, these programs include Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a>, the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p>#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:08:16 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12868 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:97;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:85:"USDA Helps Schools Make Lunchrooms &quot;Smarter&quot; as Students Head Back to Class";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-000614";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6178:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Announces $5.7 Million in Training Grants and other New Resources to Help Schools Serve Healthier Meals and Snacks</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0006.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications: (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-08-21T00:00:00-04:00">08/21/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 21, 2014 - Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced additional tools to help schools serve healthier meals and snacks as students return for the new school year.</p>
<p>The announcement includes <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2014-TN-State-grantees.xlsx">$5.7 million in Team Nutrition grants</a> to state agencies administering the National School Lunch and Child and Adult Care Food Programs. The grants will help states expand and enhance training programs that help schools encourage kids to make healthy choices. Several states will use the grants to increase the number of schools implementing <a href="http://smarterlunchrooms.org/"><em>Smarter Lunchroom</em></a> strategies, which are methods for encouraging kids to choose healthy foods that were developed by child nutrition experts. Research has shown these strategies successfully lead to healthier choices among students. USDA is also funding 2,500 toolkits to provide school districts with the resources they need to take advantage of research on <em>Smarter Lunchroom</em> strategies.</p>
<p>In addition, USDA is re-launching the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/hussc/healthierus-school-challenge"><em>HealthierUS School Challenge</em></a><em>,</em> a voluntary program which provides financial awards to schools that choose to take steps to encourage kids to make healthy choices and be more physically active. All schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program have the option to participate in HUSSC.  Schools earning HUSSC designation receive a financial award, ranging from $500 to $2,000, based on the level of achievement.</p>
<p>"We're committed to supporting schools who want to ensure students head back to a healthier school environment this fall," said Concannon.  "Parents, teachers, and school nutrition professionals want the best for their children, and want to provide them with proper nutrition so that they can learn and grow into healthy adults.  USDA is proud to support the Smarter Lunchroom movement that provides schools with practical, evidence-based tools that they can use to help their students have a healthier school day."</p>
<p><em>Smarter Lunchrooms</em>, developed by the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs (BEN) Center and funded in part by the USDA, is a set of best practices that have been shown to help encourage kids to make healthy choices. By using environmental cues such as better product placement and using creative names for healthier foods, these practical, research-based techniques increase student selection of healthier items and reduce plate waste. By changing the display and placement of fruit, for example, the researchers saw a doubling of sales. Similarly, creative naming and display of vegetables increased selection by 40 to 70 percent. Concannon said the <em>Smarter Lunchroom</em> strategies are also being incorporated into the criteria for HealthierUS School Challenge.</p>
<p>The new support for schools announced today builds on a number of resources that USDA has provided to help schools provide students with healthier food options, including technical assistance, resource materials, and $522 million in grants and additional reimbursements. More than 90 percent of schools report that they are successfully meeting those nutrition standards, which were based on recommendations from pediatricians and other child health experts at the Institute of Medicine. Research has shown that a <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/07/22/studies-find-widespread-student-acceptance-of-new-healthier-school-lunches/">majority of students like the healthier meals</a> and that the standards have successfully increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. New Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards implemented this school year will offer students more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, leaner protein, lower-fat dairy - while decreasing foods with excessive amounts of added sugar, solid fats, and sodium.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to NSLP and SBP, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 21 Aug 2014 16:55:02 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12853 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:98;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:96:"SNAP Benefits Now Used to Purchase Local Food Directly from Farmers in More than 5,000 Locations";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-000514";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4475:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">More than $21 Million in SNAP Benefits Used Last Year to Purchase Healthy Food and Boost Local Economies</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0005.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications: (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-08-05T00:00:00-04:00">08/05/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 5, 2014 – New U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data shows that participants in the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP) can now purchase fresh fruits and vegetables directly from farmers through more than 5,000 farmers markets, roadside markets and pick-your-own operations across America. The number of locations where SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food directly from farmers has increased five times since 2008, when there were just 753 such locations.  Also according to USDA data, SNAP participants are taking advantage of these opportunities, redeeming more than $21 million dollars at farmers’ markets and directly from farmers last year. Providing more places for SNAP participants to purchase food directly from local farmers boosts local economies, supports family farmers and helps create more access to healthy foods for SNAP participants, which can help reduce health problems and governmental health costs in the future.  </p>
<p>“On average, about 20 cents of every SNAP dollar spent on food ends up in the pockets of American farmers. Allowing families in need to buy food directly from local farmers provides a boost to local economies,” Concannon said.  “America’s farmers offer a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are the foundation of a healthy diet, and USDA has made it a priority to improve direct access between farmers and SNAP participants over the past several years. Healthy eating reduces health risks later in life, which helps reduce our nation’s health costs over the long run.  This new data shows that these efforts are working to provide farmers with a larger customer base and to provide families who use SNAP with more options to buy healthy food.”  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service</a> (FNS) has been working to expand the availability of wireless point-of-sale equipment to allow more farmers markets to participate in SNAP.  Launched in January 2014, Marketlink.org is a one-stop information center where farmers markets and farmers can find out how to participate in SNAP and, if eligible, how to obtain SNAP EBT equipment. Installing wireless technology at farmers markets expands the customer base for markets and increases the share of the SNAP dollar that goes directly back to local farmers, strengthening local economies.</p>
<p>SNAP is one of 15 nutrition assistance programs administered at the federal level by FNS. It’s the nation's first line of defense against hunger and helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month.  Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, and 42 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p align="center">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write:  USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service). (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 05 Aug 2014 13:22:17 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12248 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:99;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:70:"USDA Seeks Public Input to Increase Transparency of SNAP Retailer Data";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/016814";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4706:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0168.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-08-04T00:00:00-04:00">08/04/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 4, 2014 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input concerning a proposal to provide more information to the public about the amount of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits used by participants at individual grocery stores and retailers. USDA's goal is to provide as much transparency as possible on retailer data within the limits of the law. In doing so, USDA will consider input from a wide variety of stakeholders through a <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/08/04/2014-18288/request-for-information-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap-retailer-transaction-data" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Request for Information (RFI) published today</a> in the Federal Register. The RFI seeks public comment on several questions related to the transparency of SNAP retailer redemption information.</p>
<p>"Our goal is to provide more transparency so that people can have access to basic information about the amount of SNAP benefits that individual grocery stores and retailers are redeeming," Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon said. "We hope that this public comment period will be informative as to how we can do that in the most thoughtful and appropriate way possible."</p>
<p>The RFI is part of the Obama Administration's ongoing effort to make government more open and accountable and increase transparency. Since 1978, USDA has interpreted federal law as protecting SNAP retailer redemption information. A South Dakota newspaper successfully challenged that view and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ultimately agreed, ruling in favor of the newspaper. The ruling was limited to the interpretation of Section 9(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act and did not address whether redemption data constitutes "trade secrets, [or] commercial or financial information obtained from a person [that is] privileged or confidential" which would still be protected from disclosure through Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).</p>
<p>USDA is now considering whether this redemption data constitutes confidential business information under FOIA. To make a determination, USDA is required to seek feedback from affected stakeholders, specifically SNAP retailers, on whether annual aggregate redemption data from individual stores is confidential under FOIA. Additionally, the USDA is considering what, if any, adjustments should be made to SNAP regulations regarding the release of SNAP retailer transaction data in the future based on input from the public. <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#%21submitComment;D=FNS-2014-0030-0001" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Comments may be submitted through the Federal Register</a> until September 8, 2014.</p>
<p>SNAP - the nation's first line of defense against hunger - helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. As the largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, SNAP has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 46 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, nine percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 04 Aug 2014 17:18:30 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12243 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:100;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:80:"USDA Releases Request for Applications for Unprocessed Fruit and Vegetable Pilot";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:51:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-0004";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6962:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Pilot will support schools&#039; efforts to procure locally and regionally grown fruits and vegetables; Offers new opportunity that supports local farmers and local economies</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0004</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-07-21T00:00:00-04:00">07/21/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 21, 2014 - Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced the release of a Request for Applications from states interested in participating in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.  Under the pilot, up to eight states across five regions will be granted flexibility in using a portion of their USDA Foods entitlement dollars to purchase locally-grown unprocessed fruits and vegetables for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). </p>
<p>The pilot project will provide State Distributing Agencies (SDAs) in selected states additional flexibility in the procurement of locally-grown unprocessed fruits and vegetables.  School food authorities (SFAs) in selected states, or SDAs acting on behalf of participating SFAs, will be permitted to competitively solicit a USDA-approved vendor using USDA Foods National School Lunch Program (NSLP) entitlement funds.  SDAs or SFAs will also be able to use pre-existing commercial distribution channels and relationships with growers, produce wholesalers, and distributors.  Use of geographic preference, as allowed by FNS regulation, is permitted in the procurement of these products.</p>
<p>"Allowing pilot states to pursue procurement of local fruits and vegetables with their USDA Foods' dollars provides added flexibility," Concannon said.  "It offers states an additional opportunity to bolster local farm economies while providing the children who participate in our school meals programs with healthy food from within their own communities.  "</p>
<p>When schools invest food dollars into local communities, all of agriculture benefits, including local farmers, ranchers, fishermen, food processors and manufacturers. According to USDA's first-ever <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/">Farm to School Census</a>, in school year 2011-2012, schools participating in farm to school activities purchased and served more than $385 million in local food, with more than half of participating schools planning to purchase even more local foods in future school years.</p>
<p>The Food and Nutrition Service will conduct conference calls in August and September to answer questions and provide technical assistance with the application process to states that wish to apply.  Interested SDAs must submit an application no later than Sept. 30, 2014 to be considered for selection beginning in School Year 2014-2015.  For a copy of the request and more information about the pilot, please visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd">www.fns.usda.gov/fdd</a>.</p>
<p>In addition to this pilot project, USDA also facilitates incorporating local food into school food programs via the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/fy-2014-farm-school-grant-awards">Farm to School Grant Program</a>. The grant program is funded by part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA), which authorized and funded USDA to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. Since its inception in 2013, the USDA's Farm to School grant program has funded 139 projects in 46 states and the District of Columbia.</p>
<p>Today's announcement was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.usda.gov/farmbill">www.usda.gov/farmbill</a>.</p>
<p>Expanding market opportunities for local food, including in schools, is a cornerstone of the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative</a>, which  coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified strengthening local food systems as one of the four pillars of USDA's commitment to rural economic development, along with production agriculture (including expanding export markets and improving research), promoting conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities, and growing the biobased economy.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to NSLP, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), The Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:36:37 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12176 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:101;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:63:" USDA Announces $34 Million for Technology Improvements in WIC ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-000314";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5175:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Funds will help local health agencies modernize systems and improve management

</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0003.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer  (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-07-09T00:00:00-04:00">07/09/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div>
<p>WASHINGTON, July 9, 2014 - Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced the release of nearly $34 million in Fiscal Year 2014 funds to WIC agencies in states, territories, and Indian tribal organizations in support of technology improvements in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). USDA works in partnership with state and local health agencies to provide supplemental foods, nutrition education, health referrals and breastfeeding support to over 8 million low-income women, infants and young children who are nutritionally at risk. The grants will be used to expand use of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems in WIC, as well as to replace and improve management information systems to promote greater efficiencies in WIC clinics. </p>
<p>“With the WIC Program now reaching just over half of all babies born in the United States, we must take every opportunity to strengthen the program by using the latest technology available,” Concannon said. “These investments will also allow us to improve integrity in the delivery of benefits for both participants and retailers.”</p>
<p>The grants announced today will build on the success of previous investments made in WIC technology and bring the WIC program closer to achieving nationwide EBT use by October 2020, as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Currently, only nine states (Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming, Virginia, West Virginia) and four Indian tribal organizations (Cherokee Nation, Okla.; Chickasaw Nation, Okla.; Pueblo of Isleta, N.M. and Inter-tribal Council of Nevada) offer WIC benefits solely using EBT.      </p>
<p>WIC agencies selected to receive technology grants and the amounts are as follows:</p>
</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 700px;"><tbody><tr><td style="vertical-align: top;">Arizona*<br />Arkansas<br />Chickasaw Nation, Okla.*<br />Delaware<br />District of Columbia<br />Florida<br />Five Sandovol Pueblos, N.M*<br />Hawaii<br />Idaho<br />Iowa<br />Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona*<br />Minnesota</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; text-align: right;">$5,046,894<br />$796,710<br />$876,954<br />$693,660<br />$355,100<br />$112,868<br />$113,825<br />$250,000<br />$250,000<br />$1,483,327<br />$299,048<br />$362,700</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top;">Mississippi<br />Missouri<br />Montana<br />Nebraska<br />Nevada*<br />North Carolina*<br />North Dakota<br />Ohio<br />South Carolina<br />South Dakota<br />Virginia<br />Wichita, Caddo &amp; Delaware, Okla.*</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; text-align: right;">$3,537,939<br />$6,206,168<br />$901,517<br />$339,065<br />$3,844,630<br />$1,321,282<br />$409,100<br />$3,489,219<br />$245,400<br />$1,949,103<br />$750,000<br />$100,000</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p>(* These grantees will receive the grant funds on behalf of various agency consortiums.) </p></div>
<p>More information about the WIC Program can be found at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/WIC">www.fns.usda.gov/WIC</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to WIC, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 09 Jul 2014 12:56:55 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12126 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:102;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:73:"USDA Provides Grants to Help States Cut Down on SNAP Benefit Trafficking ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-000214";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5424:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">SNAP fraud rates already low; grants will help states improve program integrity even further</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0002.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of the Chief Communications Officer: (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-06-26T00:00:00-04:00">06/26/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 26, 2014 – Today Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced the availability of up to $7 million in grant funds to prevent recipient trafficking in the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP).  Through increased oversight and improvements in program management, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to help states reduce SNAP trafficking, the exchange of benefits for cash or other goods or services.  The grants announced today, which are a key component of USDA’s efforts to reduce waste, fraud and abuse in SNAP, will be awarded competitively to state agencies.</p>
<p>The SNAP Recipient Trafficking Prevention Grant Program is a new program designed to improve outcomes in the prevention, detection, and prosecution of recipient trafficking.  Recipients found guilty of trafficking are subject to severe penalties, such as criminal punishment and permanent disqualification from the program. USDA works through state agency partners to investigate recipient fraud, and hold bad actors accountable.</p>
<p>“USDA continues to take an aggressive stance on abuse to preserve integrity in the nation’s largest nutrition safety net,” said Concannon.  “SNAP fraud is rare, but no level of abuse is acceptable and new strategies are continuously implemented to improve the effectiveness of our anti-fraud efforts.”</p>
<p>Concannon also today announced second quarter, fiscal year 2014 results of USDA’s work in fighting fraudulent activity in SNAP retail stores.  In that quarter, USDA staff took final actions to:</p>
<ul><li>Impose sanctions, through fines or temporary disqualifications, on 201 stores found violating program rules; and</li>
<li>Permanently disqualify 393 stores for trafficking SNAP benefits (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash) or falsifying an application.</li>
</ul><p>While the vast majority of SNAP recipients and retailers abide by the rules, USDA is committed to protecting the taxpayer investment in SNAP, and making sure that the program is targeted toward those families who need it most. In order to reduce fraud among retailers, USDA has been working to strengthen the review process, improve retailer standards and depth of stock requirements, and partner with states to improve investigations. </p>
<p>The recipient trafficking prevention grants are open to all state agencies administering SNAP, including the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.  USDA anticipates awarding the grants by September 30, 2014.  USDA will consider only one application per state agency.  Grant applicants are required to establish a baseline of their anti-fraud activities, track the outcomes from the strategies approved for this grant solicitation, and report them back to USDA.  USDA intends to review the results to determine the most effective strategies and then share those best practices with state agencies, nationwide.</p>
<p>SNAP - the nation's first line of defense against hunger - helps put food on the table for millions of families experiencing hardship. The program has never been more critical to the fight against hunger.  Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, and 42 percent of recipients live in households in which at least one adult is working but still cannot afford to put food on the table.  SNAP benefits provided help to millions who lost their jobs during the Great Recession. For many, SNAP benefits provide temporary assistance, with the average new applicant remaining on the program 10 months.</p>
<p>These announcements are part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste designed to fight fraud and abuse in federal programs. Please see the 2013 Retailer Policy and Management <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/snap/2013-annual-report.pdf">annual report</a> for more information on SNAP retailer oversight. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud, visit the Stop SNAP Fraud website at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity">http://www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 26 Jun 2014 18:35:39 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12081 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:103;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"Support for Healthy Meals Standards Continues to Grow";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/012714";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:17079:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0127.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-06-18T00:00:00-04:00">06/18/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In 2010, Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act with bipartisan support to help ensure every American child has to the nutritious food they need to perform well in school and grow into healthy adults. With one-third of American children obese or overweight, the law was designed to help reduce America's childhood obesity epidemic and cut down on other health risks for America's children. The Healthy, Hungry Free Kids Act helps schools across the country produce balanced meals that meet basic health standards based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine.</p>
<p>Now, just as childhood obesity rates are finally starting to level off, House Republicans are trying to rollback healthy meal standards and undermine efforts to provide kids with more nutritious food. But more and more leaders are voicing strong support for keeping healthy meals in schools, including: the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Parent Teacher Association and teachers' organizations, retired generals concerned about our country's military readiness, newspaper editorial boards across the country, 19 past presidents of the School Nutrition Association, and many others are all voicing strong support for healthy school meals.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b><i>Here's what others are saying about the need to keep healthy meals for kids in America's schools:</i></b></p>
<p><b>First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama:</b></p>
<p>"When we began our Let's Move! initiative four years ago, we set one simple but ambitious goal: to end the epidemic of childhood obesity in a generation so that kids born today will grow up healthy... Back in 2010, Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which set higher nutritional standards for school lunches, also based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine. Today, 90 percent of schools report that they are meeting these new standards. As a result, kids are now getting more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other foods they need to be healthy. This is a big win for parents who are working hard to serve their kids balanced meals at home and don't want their efforts undermined during the day at school. And it's a big win for all of us since we spend more than $10 billion a year on school lunches and should not be spending those hard-earned taxpayer dollars on junk food for our children." – <b>Opinion column, </b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/29/opinion/michelle-obama-on-attempts-to-roll-back-healthy-reforms.html" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">The Campaign for Junk Food</a><b>, May 28, 2014</b></p>
<p><b>Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and former Bush Administration Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman:</b></p>
<p>"Four years ago, Congress, in a strong bipartisan effort, committed to America's children that they would enjoy healthier and more nutritious meals at school. Sadly, just as we are beginning to see the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 succeed, some in Congress want to step back from that commitment. Now is not the time to backpedal on a healthier future for our kids. Two-thirds of adults and one-third of American children are overweight or obese. The cost of treating obesity-related illnesses is $190.2 billion per year, dragging down our economy and increasing budget deficits. If nothing changes, this generation of children will be the first to live shorter lives than their parents." – <b>Jointly authored opinion column, </b><a href="http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/207414-dont-play-politics-with-our-childrens-health" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Don't Play Politics with Children's Health</a><b>, The Hill, May 29, 2014</b></p>
<p><b>School Nutrition Association Past Presidents Initiative (<i>19 former presidents of the School Nutrition Association, in a letter to Congress</i>):</b></p>
<p>"We the undersigned past presidents of the School Nutrition Association, understand that major change takes time and a commitment to the goal that prompted the change. We believe most communities and schools want school nutrition programs that help children learn to enjoy healthy foods. We are confident that the broad public support for HHFKA and USDA's demonstrated willingness to work with school leaders to solve implementation issues will prevail and create stronger school nutrition programs."</p>
<p><b>Mission: Readiness:</b></p>
<p>"We all know that obesity rates among children have increased dramatically in recent decades. This is not only a serious health concern for these children, it has also affected who can join the military: more than one in five young Americans is too overweight to enlist; and being overweight or obese is the leading medical reason why young adults cannot join the military...We are at an important juncture. Schools are capable of serving healthier foods and the vast majority are already doing so. Congress should resist efforts to derail continued implementation of science-based nutrition guidelines for school meals and snacks. Together, we can make sure that America's child obesity crisis does not become a national security crisis." – <b>Retired Major General Tracy Strevey, Jr., MD, former Commander of U.S. Army Health Services Command</b></p>
<p><b>National Parent Teacher Association:</b></p>
<p>"Implementation of provisions included in the last reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act - the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act - continues to be a top priority for National PTA. The law dramatically improves the quality of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, increases the reimbursement rate for meals served, supports community efforts to reduce childhood hunger, establishes nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools, and includes improvements to strengthen Local Wellness Policies (LWPs)." – <b>Otha Thornton, President</b></p>
<p><b>National Education Association:</b></p>
<p>"National Education Association strongly supports the school meal nutrition standards in the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. These common-sense requirements are essential to ensuring all children a healthy and successful start in life, particularly those whose families cannot afford to provide fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods at home on a regular basis. The benefits and cost-savings to our children and our nation in the long-run will be significant." – <b>Dennis Van Roekel, President</b></p>
<p><b>Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:</b></p>
<p>"After only one year post-implementation, 90 percent of schools are meeting the new lunch standards. But with change comes challenges, and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was no exception. There is now a debate in the House to make changes to impede this progress. With the positive results, we have seen already, let's work together to help the remaining schools cross the finish line." – <b>President, Sonja L Connor, MS, RDN, LD, President-Elect, Evelyn F Crayton, EdD, RDN, LDN, Past President, Dr. Glenna R McCollum, MPH, RDN and Chief Executive Officer, Patricia M Babjak, GSLIS</b></p>
<p><b>American Medical Association:</b></p>
<p>"Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are very real challenges facing far too many of our kids and the American Medical Association supports ongoing steps to improve their overall health and nutrition, including healthier school meals and reduced consumption of sugar sweetened beverages. Congress should not undermine the Institute of Medicine's science-based standards that were developed to ensure kids are eating healthy food while in school. Schools should be safe zones where kids learn healthy habits based on the best available science, and not undermined by politics or corporate influence." – <b>Ardis Dee Hoven, President</b></p>
<p><b>American Academy of Pediatrics:</b></p>
<p>"On behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a non-profit professional organization of 62,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults, I write to urge you to maintain the nutritional standards and scientific integrity of the school meals program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC." – <b>James M. Perrin, MD, FAAP, President</b></p>
<p><b>American Heart Association/American Stroke Association:</b></p>
<p>On behalf of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and its more than 22 million volunteers, I am writing to express our strong support for the school food nutrition standards set forth by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. We vigorously opposed any attempt to eliminate or roll back policies such as the whole grain and sodium standards, fruits and vegetable servings, and Smart Snacks implementation. Delaying or even abolishing these standards puts our children's health in jeopardy and sets them on an early path to heart disease, stroke, disability, and early death. – <b>Nancy Brown, CEO</b></p>
<p><b>American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network:</b></p>
<p>For decades, Congress has wisely ensured that federal child nutrition programs have been guided by science. ACS CAN, along with 100 national organizations and many more state and local groups, oppose attempts to use the appropriations process to change or weaken the federal child nutrition programs, including the proposed school meal waivers and changes to the WIC program requirements. We believe that the federal child nutrition programs should be guided by science, rather than politics. – <b>Chris Hansen, President</b></p>
<p><b>Alliance for a Healthier Generation:</b></p>
<p>As we soon close out the 2013 – 2014 school year, we should be celebrating-not rolling back-the great progress that schools have made toward implementing the USDA's school nutrition standards. Nationwide, we know that over 90% of schools are meeting or exceeding the nutrition standards for school meals established in 2012. This is a significant win for the health of our children and proof that positive change is possible. – <b>Howell Wechsler, CEO</b></p>
<p><b>Trust for America's Health:</b></p>
<p>"We urge Congress to oppose any provisions that would attempt to roll back school nutrition standards-and, in so doing, decrease access to healthy foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables and increase the consumption of salt, sugar and fat. With more than 90 percent of participating schools reporting success in meeting nutrition standards set forth by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, for the first time in decades, children are eating healthier at school." – <b>Jeffrey Levi, PhD, Executive Director</b></p>
<p><b>United Fresh Produce Association:</b></p>
<p>"The fresh produce industry stands ready to support school foodservice directors in implementing the fruit and vegetable requirements. Serving one-half cup of fruits and vegetables, in ways that kids love and want to eat, is one goal that we are already accomplishing together. We commit to providing school foodservice directors with technical assistance, training in produce procurement and handling, and sharing best practices of what's working in thousands of schools across the country. This should not be a partisan issue for rancorous debate. We can all stand together to put the health of America's children first, while giving schools the technical support they need to comply with these very basic standards. Please do not vote to cut out one-half cup of fruits and vegetables from school meals. Without at least one serving of a fruit or vegetable, I don't believe we could even call it a meal. We urge you to support any amendments in the full Committee that would preserve these critical nutrition standards." – <b>Thomas E. Stenzel, President and CEO</b></p>
<p><b>American Federation of Teachers:</b></p>
<p>"Our kids come first. That is why communities, parents, food service workers, and educators came together, demanded change, and supported access to healthier meals for all students. These standards are now in place and are working. The American Federation of Teachers is proud to stand with first lady Michelle Obama, advocates, parents, food service workers, teachers, school support staff and communities against any roll back of the current nutrition standards for school meals." – <b>Randi Weingarten, President</b></p>
<p><b>Members of the Faith Community:</b></p>
<p>"As members of the faith community, we write to express our opposition to efforts to revise federal child nutrition programs through the appropriations process and urge you to ensure these nutrition programs continue to be based on the best available nutritional science, not special or political interests." – <b>18 Members of the Faith Community</b></p>
<p><b>The New York Times:</b></p>
<p>"Republicans on a powerful House committee have balked at requiring all schools to serve healthy lunches in the coming school year. The action drew a well-deserved rebuke from the first lady, Michelle Obama, who has focused public attention on combating obesity among young people through exercise and better nutrition. Let's hope the Senate holds out against such inanity... The guidelines are not all that difficult to meet; 90 percent of the nation's schools have been able to do so." – <b>Editorial, </b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/02/opinion/bad-food-in-school-cafeterias.html?_r=0" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Bad Food in School Cafeterias</a><b>, June 1, 2014</b></p>
<p><b>The Washington Post:</b></p>
<p>"The Federal government spends more than $10 billion a year on the National School Lunch Program, which serves more than 30 million students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For that, taxpayers should expect schools not to feed their children junk. That was the reasonable logic behind a 2010 law requiring stronger federal standards on school lunches - a law that Republicans in the House just voted to undercut... Given that a third of American children and teenagers are overweight or obese, this initiative is common sense... Ripping a hole in the law would be a mistake." – <b>Editorial, </b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/gop-would-allow-schools-to-opt-out-of-nutritional-standards-for-students-lunches/2014/05/20/2f85d9d0-e067-11e3-810f-764fe508b82d_story.html" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">GOP Would Allow Schools to Opt Out of Nutritional Standards for Students' Lunches</a><b> May 20, 2014</b></p>
<p><b>USA Today:</b></p>
<p>"This would be a major, and unnecessary, step backward in the effort to make school lunches healthier. Any legitimate problems should be fixable with minor adjustments and some flexibility from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There's no need for congressional involvement." – <b>Editorial, </b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/05/29/school-lunch-michelle-obama-nutrition-editorials-debates/9744767/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Food Fight in Congress Threatens Our Kids</a><b> May 29, 2014</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 19 Jun 2014 11:38:08 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"12045 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:104;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:109:"USDA Launches New Resources at ChooseMyPlate.gov to Help Cost-Conscious Consumers Make Healthier Food Choices";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/010314";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6336:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0103.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications 202-720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-05-27T00:00:00-04:00">05/27/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 27, 2014 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/budget" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Healthy Eating on a Budget</a> – the newest addition to <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a>. Consumers continue to want more information about how to make better eating decisions with limited resources. To meet this need, the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) developed the new resource to include easy-to-use and insightful information about planning meals, shopping smart in the grocery store, and preparing foods that save money and time in the kitchen.</p>
<p>"Although healthy foods aren't always more expensive, many low-income people face time and resource challenges when it comes to putting healthy food on the table," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Promoting nutritious food choices can have a positive impact on improving the health and diet quality of Americans. USDA offers a broad spectrum of strategies to empower low-income families to purchase healthier foods."</p>
<p>Consumers who visit the Healthy Eating on a Budget section of ChooseMyPlate.gov will learn ways to plan, purchase, and prepare healthy meals. The new web pages provide families with tips and strategies to help save money and plan a healthier diet. The new section includes the latest addition to the MyPlate 10 Tips Nutrition Education Series, <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ten-tips-save-more-at-the-grocery-store" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Save More at the Grocery Store</a> which emphasizes simple-to-use tips to help consumers make decisions as they walk down a supermarket aisle. Dozens of additional strategies are featured in the new section including using unit pricing, reading food labels to compare items, and checking sales on store brands. A new cookbook features 25 recipes from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) resource page, <a href="http://snap.nal.usda.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">SNAP-Ed Nutrition Connection</a>. The recipes are included in sample two-week menus based on a 2,000 calorie diet to help individuals and families plan meals. Additional grocery and pantry lists are provided to help households organize their food purchases.</p>
<p>"This resource not only demonstrates that it is possible to eat healthfully on a budget, but it shows how," said CNPP Deputy Director Jackie Haven. "These new pages complement our existing resources on ChooseMyPlate.gov, allowing consumers to figure out how to improve their nutrition, and how to make it affordable."</p>
<p>Healthy Eating on a Budget supports other initiatives in progress at USDA to encourage healthy eating among more Americans. Examples include:</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.ChooseMyPlate.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provides practical information to individuals, health professionals, nutrition educators, and the food industry to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutrition education, and other user-friendly nutrition information. As Americans are experiencing epidemic rates of overweight and obesity, the online resources and tools can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families, and their children.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">USDA Summer Feeding Program</a> (SFSP) ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer months, when school breakfast and lunch are not available. Free meals, that meet Federal nutrition guidelines, are provided to all children 18 years old and under at approved SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children. Summer site locations vary by state.</li>
<li>The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps millions of Americans put food on the table. Through programs such as the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&amp;contentid=2013/07/0150.xml">Healthy Incentives Pilot</a> and grants to increase access to SNAP at farmers markets, SNAP provides low-income families with expanded access to healthy food.</li>
<li>The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and supplemental foods to infants, young children, and pregnant, breastfeeding and post-partum women to improve health outcomes and support healthy childhood development. Recently, USDA announced an <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2014/02/0031.xml&amp;contentidonly=true">update to the foods provided through the WIC program</a> to include more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.</li>
</ul><p>With so many food options available, it is often difficult for consumers to determine the best foods to put on their plates when the budget is tight. Healthy Eating on a Budget provides practical information to help more Americans understand their options and supports USDA initiatives to help families make healthy eating a priority in their daily lives.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 27 May 2014 17:56:33 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11940 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:105;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:63:"USDA Announces School Meal Flexibility for Upcoming School Year";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/009714";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6996:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0097.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-05-20T00:00:00-04:00">05/20/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 20, 2014 - Today, Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon announced new flexibility for school districts working to meet updated whole grain requirements for school meals. During the current school year, USDA received feedback from schools that the whole grain rich products currently on the market did not hold together when produced in large quantities for school cafeterias. Based on this input, schools that demonstrate significant challenges in serving whole-grain rich pastas can now continue serving traditional enriched pasta products for up to two more years, as industry works to develop healthy pasta that works for schools.</p>
<p>"Schools raised legitimate concerns that acceptable whole-grain rich pasta products were not available. We worked to find a solution which will allow more time for industry to develop products that will work for schools," said Concannon. "We continue to listen and work closely with schools and parents to implement common sense nutritional guidance that supports a healthier next generation. But, with one third of American children fighting obesity, we cannot accept politically motivated efforts to undermine standards and deny kids healthier options."</p>
<p>To help reduce America's childhood obesity epidemic and reduce health risks for America's children, the U.S. Department of Agriculture set new school meal standards based on expert recommendations from the Institute of Medicine to ensure kids are being served healthy food while they are at school. A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health shows that children are already choosing to eat healthier foods, including more fruits and vegetables, as a result. Experts identified increased consumption of whole grain foods as a key factor in helping lower childhood obesity and reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.</p>
<p>Therefore, beginning next school year, all grains and breads in school meal programs must be "whole grain-rich," meaning that they contain at least 50 percent whole grain meal and/or flour. These requirements also reflect the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommended making whole grains at least half of all grains consumed.</p>
<p>Many types of pasta, including those available through USDA Foods, meet the whole grain-rich criteria. However, during the current school year, USDA heard feedback from some schools suggesting that certain whole grain-rich pastas raised a challenge for school menus. Some of the available products, such as lasagna and elbow noodles, degraded easily during preparation and service and were difficult to use in larger-scale cooking operations. Additional consultations with both schools and pasta industry experts confirmed this challenge.</p>
<p>Whole grain-rich pastas made from blends of whole grain and enriched flours maintain better consistency, but these products are still emerging in the marketplace. Therefore, USDA recognizes that USDA Foods and industry may need additional time to develop a range of acceptable whole grain-rich pastas. As such, USDA is offering flexibility in this area for those districts serving menu items with whole grain-rich pastas that do not hold together well.</p>
<p>School districts that wish to take advantage of this two-year flexibility must obtain approval from their state agency by demonstrating that they experienced significant challenges in preparing and serving whole grain-rich pasta products in their schools. This is a temporary flexibility intended to provide additional time for the development of acceptable whole grain products that meet USDA's science-based standards.</p>
<p>USDA is committed to working in partnership with food manufactures as they continue their efforts to expand the selection of appealing whole grain-rich pastas available to schools. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service will also continue to assist state agencies and school districts by developing technical resources to assist schools with preparation methods for whole grain-rich pasta.</p>
<p>Today's announcement follows other flexibilities USDA has implemented based on feedback from schools regarding legitimate challenges in implementing updated school nutrition standards. Earlier this year, USDA made permanent additional flexibility around the portion sizes for grains and meats/meat alternates. The Department has also provided flexibility by phasing in the standards gradually over time rather than requiring immediate compliance. For example, requirements for the breakfast program were phased in over a period of three years. USDA has continued to provide schools across the country with grants and technical support to help implement these standards to produce quality, healthy meals for kids.</p>
<p>Over 90 percent of schools report they are successfully meeting the updated nutrition standards, and a USDA analysis suggests that nationwide schools saw a net revenue increase in the first year of implementing the updated standards and preparing more nutritious meals.</p>
<p>For additional information on which foods meet the whole grain-rich criteria and suggestions for incorporating whole grain-rich foods into school menus, see the Whole Grain Resource for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: A Guide to Meeting the Whole Grain-Rich Criteria, available at: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/WholeGrainResource.pdf" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/WholeGrainResource.pdf</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)</em></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 20 May 2014 18:20:15 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11908 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:106;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"FACT SHEET: Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act School Meals Implementation";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/009814";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7891:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0098.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-05-20T00:00:00-04:00">05/20/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Congress passed the Hunger-Free Kids Act in 2010 with bipartisan support to help ensure every American child had access to the nutrition they need to grow into healthy adults. One goal of the law was to help reduce America's childhood obesity epidemic and reduce health risks for America's children by helping schools across the country produce balanced meals so children had access to healthy foods during the school day. USDA based the new school meal standards on independent, expert recommendations from the Institute of Medicine to ensure kids are being fed healthy food while they are at school.</p>
<p>Results of the Healthy-Hunger Free Kids Act school meals provision to date include:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Kids are eating more fruits and vegetables as a result of updated standards</strong>. A recent Harvard study has concluded that, under the updated standards, kids are now eating 16 percent more vegetables and 23 percent more fruit at lunch.</li>
<li><strong>Over 90 percent of schools report that they are successfully meeting the updated nutrition standards.</strong> Students across the country are experiencing a healthier school environment with more nutritious options. The new meals are providing children more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, as well as less sugar, fat, and sodium.</li>
<li><strong>School lunch revenue is up.</strong> Despite concerns raised about the impact of new standards on participation and costs, a USDA analysis suggests that in the first year of implementing updated meal patterns, schools saw a net nationwide increase in revenue from school lunches of approximately $200 million. This includes the annual reimbursement rate adjustments, as well as increased revenue from paid meals and the additional 6 cents per meal for schools meeting the new meal standards.</li>
<li><strong>Healthy food standards have not increased food waste.</strong> While reducing plate waste at schools, homes and workplaces continues to be a priority for USDA, a recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that new school meal standards did not result in increased food waste.</li>
<li><strong>Participation is increasing substantially in many areas of the country.</strong> USDA has received reports from many schools indicating a positive response to healthier offerings and increased participation. Examples include Los Angeles, Dallas, and some of Florida's largest school districts. In fact, Los Angeles Unified-one of the nation's largest school districts-has seen a 14% increase in participation under the new meal standards. As more kids and schools continue to successfully make the transition to the new standards, USDA expects participation to keep climbing.</li>
<li><strong>HHFKA has led to participation increases within many schools.</strong> The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) under the HHFKA has been successfully implemented in almost 4,000 schools in early adopting States. More than 600 school districts across 11 States have at least one school participating in CEP. The evaluation results demonstrate that participating schools were able to increase participation in their meals programs, and as well as experience revenue gains and decreased administrative costs.</li>
<li><strong>Virtually all schools continue to participate.</strong> Data from states indicated very few schools (only 0.15% of schools nationwide) reported dropping out of the programs due to struggles over providing kids healthy food. State agencies reported that the schools no longer participating in the NSLP were mainly residential child care institutions and smaller schools with very low percentages of children eligible for free and reduced price meals.</li>
<li><strong>USDA has and will continue to listen to stakeholders and provide guidance and flexibilities, as appropriate, to help schools and students adapt to the updated requirements.</strong> Early in the implementation process for school meals, when schools asked for flexibility to serve larger servings of grains and proteins within the overall calorie caps, USDA responded. In January of this year, that flexibility was made permanent. USDA is also phasing other requirements in over the next several years. And hearing schools concerns on the lack of availability of whole grain pasta, USDA is allowing schools that have demonstrated difficulty in obtaining adequate whole grain pasta to use traditional pastas for an additional two years while industry works to create better whole grain pasta products.</li>
<li><strong>USDA is helping schools encourage kids to choose new healthier options.</strong> Most recently, the Department announced $5.5 million in new grants to support Smarter Lunchrooms, a broad toolkit of easy-to-implement, low-cost, evidence-based strategies that increase consumption of healthier foods and decrease plate waste.</li>
<li><strong>USDA is supporting numerous training sessions in conjunction with our partners to help schools implement the updated meal standards and prepare for Smart Snacks.</strong> USDA has completed seven sessions with various audiences since the rule was published, and additional training is planned for the rest of the year. The Department has made in-person trainings at 16 school professional organization meetings and have three more scheduled this spring and summer.</li>
<li><strong>USDA is supporting implementation of the updated school meals standards and new Smart Snacks standards through a variety of additional methods.</strong></li>
</ul><p>Recent actions include:</p>
<p>In February, USDA announced the availability of up to $5 million through the Farm to School grant program to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools. In FY13, USDA awarded grants to 71 projects spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia.</p>
<p>USDA awarded $5.6 million in grants in FY2013 to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs, and plans to award additional grants in FY 2014.</p>
<p>In April, USDA awarded $25 million in grants to help schools purchase kitchen equipment that will help them provide healthier school meals.</p>
<p>USDA is partnering with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to provide an online product calculator for Smart Snacks. The newest version of the calculator was released on April 7 and included a beverage module. This product calculator will assist all stakeholders in easily identifying food and beverage products that meet the new standards.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 21 May 2014 11:22:11 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11914 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:107;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:61:"USDA Announces Grants to Support State Breastfeeding Programs";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-0001-14";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9228:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0001-14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Public Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-04-23T00:00:00-04:00">04/23/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 23, 2014 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced the release of nearly $60 million in Fiscal Year 2014 funds to WIC agencies in states, territories, and Indian tribal organizations (ITO) in support of breastfeeding peer counselor programs in USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The WIC Program, which supports 51 percent of the infants born in the U.S., promotes breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for infants. In Fiscal Year 2012, the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/WICPC2012_Summary.pdf">program reached a historic milestone</a> when recipients who were breastfeeding outnumbered the women who did not.</p>
<p>“Breastfeeding provides many health, nutritional, economical and emotional benefits to mothers and babies,” Concannon said. “These funds will assist states as they work to improve breastfeeding support for mothers that impart long term health benefits to their infants.”</p>
<p>The primary goal of WIC is to safeguard the health of infants, young children, and women who are pregnant or postpartum. Research has shown that <a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/breastfeeding.html">breastfeeding is the best source of infant nutrition</a> and offers protection against infections and illnesses. Breastfed babies may have reduced health risks such as obesity, asthma, and diabetes later in life. For mothers, breastfeeding is linked to reduced risk of postpartum depression, type-2 diabetes, and certain cancers.</p>
<p>Evidence shows that the use of breastfeeding peer counselors increases breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity.</p>
<p>The WIC Peer Counseling Program addresses barriers to breastfeeding that WIC mothers face. Peer counselors are recruited and hired from WIC’s target population of low-income women and undergo training to provide mother-to-mother support in group settings and one-to-one counseling through telephone calls or visits in the home, clinic, or hospital.</p>
<p>To prepare staff within the WIC Program to implement and expand breastfeeding peer counseling programs, FNS developed a training system, called <a href="https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/wicworks/Learning_Center/support_peer_FAQ.html">“Using Loving Support to Implement Best Practices in Peer Counseling."</a> This curriculum continues to serve as a guide for local programs in designing, building and sustaining peer counseling programs.</p>
<p>WIC state agencies use the grants to continue to implement and administer a peer counseling program that relies on research-based components of the <a href="http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/Learning_Center/FNS_model.pdf">Loving Support Peer Counseling Model</a>. The funds will enable WIC state agencies to build upon and expand their breastfeeding peer counseling implementation plans.</p>
<p>A list of the funds available to each state, territory and ITO is below. The actual amount provided to the agency will be dependent on the submission and approval of an operational plan.</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 250px;">Alabama<br />Alaska<br />American Samoa<br />Arizona<br />Arkansas<br />California<br />Colorado<br />Connecticut<br />Delaware<br />District of Columbia<br />Florida<br />Georgia<br />Guam<br />Hawaii<br />Idaho<br />Illinois<br />Indiana<br />Iowa<br />Kansas<br />Kentucky<br />Louisiana<br />Maine<br />Maryland<br />Massachusetts<br />Michigan<br />Minnesota<br />Mississippi<br />Missouri</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; text-align: right; width: 100px;">$500,000<br />$214,733<br />$83,479<br />$1,056,158<br />$570,964<br />$9,316,140<br />$641,918<br />$383,612<br />$159,987<br />$175,256<br />$3,355,839<br />$1,639,443<br />$82,863<br />$319,043<br />$327,153<br />$1,885,125<br />$925,804<br />$404,458<br />$457,411<br />$850,763<br />$804,192<br />$170,815<br />$1,034,856<br />$821,799<br />$1,590,633<br />$852,613<br />$463,279<br />$896,042</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 250px;">Montana<br />Nebraska<br />Nevada<br />New Hampshire<br />New Jersey<br />New Mexico<br />New York<br />North Carolina<br />North Dakota<br />Northern Mariana Islands<br />Ohio<br />Oklahoma<br />Oregon<br />Pennsylvania<br />Puerto Rico<br />Rhode Island<br />South Carolina<br />South Dakota<br />Tennessee<br />Texas<br />Utah<br />Vermont<br />Virgin Islands<br />Virginia<br />Washington<br />West Virginia<br />Wisconsin<br />Wyoming</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; text-align: right; width: 100px;">$161,157<br />$271,749<br />$499,282<br />$134,667<br />$1,155,229<br />$446,098<br />$3,768,939<br />$1,725,090<br />$102,076<br />$45,000<br />$1,564,861<br />$623,875<br />$817,253<br />$1,367,859<br />$1,034,711<br />$181,989<br />$830,445<br />$137,796<br />$1,125,512<br />$7,845,003<br />$499,649<br />$126,194<br />$79,361<br />$1,051,548<br />$1,400,507<br />$289,739<br />$669,882<br />$112,062</td>
</tr><tr><td style="vertical-align: top;"> </td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; text-align: right;"> </td>
<td style="vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Subtotal For States &amp; Territories</span><br /> </td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:14px;">$58,051,911</span><br /> </td>
</tr><tr><td style="vertical-align: top;">Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna Hospital, N.M.<br />Cherokee Nation, Okla<br />Cheyenne River, S.D.<br />Chickasaw Nation, Okla<br />Choctaw Nation, Okla<br />Citizen Potawatomi, Okla<br />Eastern Band of Cherokee, N.C.<br />Eight Northern Indian Pueblo, N.M.<br />Five Sandoval Indian Pueblo, N.M.<br />Inter-Tribal Council, Ariz<br />Inter-Tribal Council, Nev<br />Inter-Tribal Council, Okla<br />Isleta Pueblo, N.M.<br />Miss. Band of Choctaw Indians, Miss<br />Muscogee Creek Nation, Okla</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; text-align: right;">$45,258<br />$81,440<br />$45,489<br />$64,272<br />$59,191<br />$48,645<br />$45,296<br />$40,782<br />$43,372<br />$96,181<br />$23,500<br />$46,067<br />$47,529<br />$45,489<br />$55,497</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top;">Navajo Tribe, Ariz<br />Northern Arapaho, Wyo<br />Omaha Tribe, Neb<br />Osage Tribe, Okla<br />Otoe-Missouria, Okla<br />Pueblo of San Felipe, N.M.<br />Pueblo of Zuni, N.M.<br />Rosebud Sioux, S.D.<br />Santo Domingo, N.M.<br />Standing Rock Sioux, N.D.<br />Three Affiliated Tribes, N.D.<br />Ute Mountain, Colo<br />Winnebago Tribe, Neb<br />WCD Enterprises, Okla</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; text-align: right;">$116,350<br />$44,219<br />$42,564<br />$51,493<br />$43,911<br />$34,008<br />$46,220<br />$48,491<br />$24,124<br />$45,335<br />$42,641<br />$22,359<br />$34,629<br />$58,737</td>
</tr><tr><td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td><span style="font-size:14px;">Subtotal For ITOs</span></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:14px;">$1,443,089</span></td>
</tr></tbody></table><p>Each month, WIC provides over 8.6 million low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five with nutritious, supplemental foods. The program also provides nutrition and breastfeeding education and referrals to health and social services.</p>
<p>More information about the WIC program can be found at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/WIC">www.fns.usda.gov/WIC</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to WIC, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, National School Lunch Program, and the Summer Food Service Program which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">##</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 23 Apr 2014 16:50:58 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11716 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:108;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:94:"USDA Awards Grants for New School Food Service Equipment to Help Schools Dish Up Healthy Meals";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/006514";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5834:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0065.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-04-18T00:00:00-04:00">04/18/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 18, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $25 million in grants to help schools purchase needed kitchen equipment as they continue to provide school lunches and breakfasts that give children the nutrition they need to learn and grow. Over 90 percent of schools report that they are successfully meeting the updated nutrition standards, serving meals with more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, and less sodium and fat. These new grants provide additional support to schools to help them prepare meals that meet those standards.</p>
<p>"We know that there is still a significant unmet need for kitchen equipment in schools, and outdated equipment can make it more difficult to prepare healthy meals," said Vilsack. "With these grants, schools will be able to get the tools they need to make the healthy choice the easy choice for America's youngsters."</p>
<p>In December, USDA awarded $11 million in grants to the District of Columbia, Guam and 14 states. For the latest round of funding, USDA will ensure all State agencies receive a proportional share of the funding. States will competitively award the funds to school districts to purchase needed equipment, giving priority to high-need schools where 50 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced price meals.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/NSLP-Equip-Grant-Allocations-Attachment-A.docx" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Download the list of funding by state for FY13 and FY14.</a></p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.pewhealth.org/projects/kids-safe-and-healthful-foods-project-85899367223" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Kids' Safe and Healthful Foods Project</a> – a collaboration with The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – recently released a <a href="http://www.pewhealth.org/other-resource/states-need-updated-school-kitchen-equipment-85899542284" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">report on school kitchen equipment needs</a> that shows most school districts in the U.S. (88 percent) need at least one additional piece of kitchen equipment, and more than half (55 percent) need infrastructure upgrades to serve healthier meals that meet science-based nutrition standards. The report concluded: Investing in kitchens and cafeterias will help schools better serve the nutritious foods and beverages that students need.</p>
<p>Since 2009, USDA has provided $160 million in kitchen equipment funding to states and schools. The President's fiscal year 2015 budget requests an additional $35 million for kitchen equipment grants. These grants are one of several ways that USDA is supporting schools as the implement the updated nutrition standards.</p>
<p>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act</a>. Other recent actions by the USDA to support schools include:</p>
<ul><li>In February, USDA announced the availability of up to $5 million through the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School</a> grant program to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools. In FY13, <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/021813" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">USDA awarded grants to 71 projects spanning 42 states</a> and the District of Columbia.</li>
<li>In March, USDA announced <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/003714" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">$5.5 million in new Team Nutrition grants</a> to support schools as they continue to provide school lunches and breakfasts that give children the nutrition they need to learn and grow. The grants focus on implementation of Smarter Lunchrooms strategies, a broad toolkit of easy-to-implement, evidence-based practices designed to increase consumption of healthier foods and decrease plate waste.</li>
<li>USDA awarded $5.6 million in grants in FY2013 to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs, and plans to award additional grants in FY 2014.</li>
</ul><p>Schools that are interested in applying for these grants should contact their state agency for further information. <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/office-type/child-nutrition-programs" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">A list of state agency contacts is available here</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 18 Apr 2014 14:54:35 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11686 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:109;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:106:"Agriculture Secretary Visits Chicago School to Help Increase Access to the Summer Meal Program in Illinois";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/004814";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5613:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Only 11% of Eligible Kids in Illinois Participate in Summer Meal Program; Illinois One of Six Target States Where USDA Hopes to Increase Participation</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0048.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-03-27T00:00:00-04:00">03/27/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>CHICAGO, March 27, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited a Chicago school today to encourage more Chicago-area schools and community-based organizations to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) summer meal programs to help ensure no child goes hungry during the summer months. During the school year, 21 million American children receive free or reduced price lunch in schools, including nearly 800,000 kids in Illinois—but only 11 percent of eligible Illinois children participate in the summer meal programs. Illinois is one of six states in which USDA is partnering with local leaders to make a concerted effort to improve participation.</p>
<p>Secretary Vilsack was joined by Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Audrey Rowe, school officials and local community leaders to discuss the importance of the summer meal programs at Chicago's James Otis World Language Academy.</p>
<p>"Research shows a lack of nutrition during the summer months can set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins. We're joining our partners here in Illinois and other target areas across the country to help close the nutrition gap children face when schools close for the summer," Vilsack said. "We need more successful partnerships and continuing support from state and local leaders to ensure children continue to receive nutritious meals even when school is out."</p>
<p>The USDA's summer meals programs, including the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> and the National School Lunch Program's Seamless Summer Option, ensure that low-income children who rely on school meals can receive the nutritious food they need during the summer months so they are healthy and ready to learn when they return to school in the fall. USDA has selected Illinois as one of six target states for additional technical assistance to help improve participation in the summer meals programs. While Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S., with an active anti-hunger community, the state ranked 39th in Summer Food Service Program participation, with only 11.4 percent of eligible children participating in the program. In 2013, there were 1,624 summer meal sites in Illinois, with 147 sponsors. USDA hopes to assist the state in increasing the number of sites and sponsors by 10 percent. In Illinois, the deadline to become a summer meal sponsor or register as a site is June 15.</p>
<p>Last year, the summer meals programs saw a historic increase of 7 million more meals served compared to the previous summer, exceeding USDA's target of 5 million additional meals. This year USDA hopes to exceed 10 million more meals nationwide. The key factor to serving more children summer meals this year will be expanding the number of sites open for feeding children. Community partners are needed to serve as sponsors of sites or provide meal sites to give more children access to healthy food this summer. The deadlines to become a summer meal sponsor vary by state, and begin as early as April 15.</p>
<p>Along with Illinois, other states with high levels of food insecurity and/or low program participation receiving additional technical assistance from USDA include: Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Texas.</p>
<p>USDA continues to work with First Lady Michelle Obama on the Let's Move! initiative, which is helping to promote healthy eating and physical activity and supports the health of American families. Through the combined efforts of USDA and its partners, the United States is beginning to see progress and improvements in the health of our Nation's children.</p>
<p>USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Food and Nutrition Service</a> oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program, the National School Lunch Program, and other child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 28 Mar 2014 14:54:06 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11490 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:110;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:35:"SNAP Integrity Efforts Reduce Fraud";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-000114";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6679:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0001.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications: (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-03-25T00:00:00-04:00">03/25/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 25, 2014 -- Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced significant progress in combating fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) took final actions to:</p>
<ul><li>Impose sanctions, through fines or temporary disqualifications, on 153 stores found violating program rules; and</li>
<li>Permanently disqualify 257 stores for trafficking SNAP benefits (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash) or falsifying an application.</li>
</ul><p>“These results demonstrate USDA’s commitment to ensuring food assistance is available for those who need it, while stopping program misuse,” Concannon said. “The SNAP program has a very low rate of fraud, and we are working to drive that rate even lower so every single dollar is being used to help families who truly need support.  Our anti-fraud efforts are built on innovative, forward-looking tactics that make use of the best technology to track fraudulent activity and remove bad actors from the program quickly.”</p>
<p>Through technology improvements and anti-fraud efforts, USDA has reduced the rate of SNAP trafficking, which was as high as 4 percent 15 years ago, down to 1.3 percent. Success in this area continues to be the result of intensive work over the past several years to modernize the organizational structure to focus resources on retailer integrity, coupled with improved technology that has enabled USDA to better identify and remove violating stores.</p>
<p>In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 provides additional funding to intensify integrity efforts.  This includes competitive state grants to strengthen program integrity and prevent trafficking by recipients.  USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is working to establish the new grant program and plans to open the process for new grant applications later this year.</p>
<p>Over the past several months, USDA has taken numerous steps to better target suspicious activity in high-risk areas and reduce overall fraud:</p>
<ul><li>FNS awarded a contract to support state anti-fraud efforts by providing technology based consultation services, aiding in the development of a comprehensive fraud prevention plan, for seven state partners California (Los Angeles County only), Kansas, New York (Onondaga County only), Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin (Milwaukee County only).</li>
<li>FNS entered into a pilot Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the state of Michigan for state investigators to investigate trafficking attempts by clients and unauthorized businesses through social media.</li>
<li>FNS established a new cooperative agreement with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to provide state law enforcement with support in pursuing SNAP recipient and retailer investigations and criminal prosecutions.</li>
<li>USDA released a re-vamped Fraud and Abuse Poster which makes it clear that buying or selling SNAP or WIC benefits is a Federal Crime.</li>
<li>USDA issued a new rule regarding excessive replacement cards (5 or more in 12 months), and encouraged states to send warning letters to recipients. These efforts have led to a 26 percent reduction in excessive card replacements nationwide in FY 2013 compared to the previous year.</li>
<li>FNS awarded a contract to assess and recommend improvements on how states inform SNAP program participants regarding the appropriate use of benefits and the penalties for misusing them, with an emphasis on properly educating clients on the rule and penalties for trafficking to deter fraud and promote voluntary compliance.</li>
</ul><p>“USDA is working on multiple fronts, harnessing modern technology and identifying promising practices, to root out any fraud and abuse from SNAP.  Not only are we focused on removing retailers who ignore the rules, we are actively working with state agencies to identify and remove recipients who misuse their benefits via illegal trafficking—the sale of food benefits for cash,” said Concannon.</p>
<p>SNAP – the nation's first line of defense against hunger – helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. The program has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 47 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, and 42 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>These announcements are part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste designed to fight fraud and abuse in federal programs. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud, visit the Stop SNAP Fraud website at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity">http://www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity</a></p>
<hr /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/program-integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Program Integrity</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 25 Mar 2014 12:16:18 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11420 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:111;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:82:"USDA Demonstration Projects Will Provide Funding To Fight Hunger, Nourish Families";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/004214";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5093:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0042.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-03-20T00:00:00-04:00">03/20/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, D.C., March 20, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced new funding opportunities for state agencies and Indian tribal organizations to develop innovative strategies to prevent hunger and food insecurity. The demonstration projects under the new initiative are designed to find solutions so that no child goes hungry.</p>
<p>"These projects offer an opportunity to explore new ways of combating childhood hunger," said Vilsack. "By encouraging new innovations, we can not only improve childhood nutrition, but also promote economic development in high-need areas."</p>
<p>The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010 provided $40 million to conduct and evaluate demonstration projects aimed at ending childhood hunger, including alternative models for service delivery and benefit levels that promote the reduction or elimination of childhood hunger and food insecurity. Nutritious foods are essential to getting kids off to a healthy start in life, and too many families are unable to provide proper nutrition for their children.</p>
<p>Potential projects could include innovative program delivery models for school meals, afterschool snacks programs, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program; enhanced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for eligible households with children; and changes to other targeted federal, state or local assistance, including refundable tax credits, emergency housing, employment and training, or family preservation services for households with children who are experiencing food insecurity.</p>
<p>Through these demonstration projects, USDA will target areas or populations where there are currently elevated levels of food insecurity or gaps in nutrition assistance program coverage. The HHFKA requires that at least one demonstration project be carried out on an Indian reservation in a rural area with a service population having a prevalence of diabetes that exceeds 15 percent.</p>
<p>"With the food access challenges facing many rural tribal areas, we're focused on using this initiative to find better ways to get more nutritious food to the children in those areas in particular," said Vilsack.</p>
<p>Approximately $30 million will be awarded for up to five demonstration projects in the form of cooperative agreements between USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and grantees. The remaining funds will be used for independent evaluations of each project.</p>
<p>The Request for Applications was released today on <a href="http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=10.592" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Grants.gov</a>. Letters of Intent are due on May 1, 2014, and completed applications are due on July 7, 2014. FNS will consider only one application from each state, U.S. territory, Indian tribal organization (ITO), or the District of Columbia. However, FNS will consider applications from both a state and an ITO with different proposed project sites in the same state. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/demonstration-projects-end-childhood-hunger" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">http://www.fns.usda.gov/demonstration-projects-end-childhood-hunger</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's FNS administers America's nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/state-agencies" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">state agencies</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/indian-tribal-organizations" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Indian tribal organizations</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 20 Mar 2014 18:39:12 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11402 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:112;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:45:"USDA Announces Support for Smarter Lunchrooms";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/003714";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5834:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Team Nutrition Grants Available to Improve the Health and Future of America&#039;s Children</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0037.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-03-12T00:00:00-04:00">03/12/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 12, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $5.5 million in new grants to support schools as they continue to provide school lunches and breakfasts that give children the nutrition they need to learn and grow. Over 90 percent of schools are successfully meeting new meal nutrition standards, serving meals with more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, and less sodium and fat. These new grants provide support to schools to help them achieve or continue to meet those standards. The grants focus on implementation of <em>Smarter Lunchrooms</em> strategies, a broad toolkit of easy-to-implement, evidence-based practices designed to increase consumption of healthier foods and decrease plate waste.</p>
<p>"Schools have worked hard to serve more fruits, vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy and whole grains at mealtime. Strategies like <em>Smarter Lunchrooms</em> give schools simple, actionable, low-cost steps that help make sure that the healthy food on kids' plates ends up in their stomachs," said Vilsack. "These grants are part of USDA's ongoing commitment to give states and schools the additional resources and flexibility they need as they help make the healthy choice, the easy choice for America's young people."</p>
<p>The <a href="http://smarterlunchrooms.org/homepage" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><em>Smarter Lunchrooms</em></a> movement applies practical, research-based principles and strategies that have proven effective at creating an environment that encourages kids to make healthy choices. The movement, which was developed by Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs (BEN Center) with funding from the USDA and others, uses environmental cues to increase student selection of healthy meal options and decrease plate waste. These include simple strategies such as structuring choices in the lunch line so that healthy foods are easiest for students to access, having cafeteria staff dialog with students in such a way that nudges them toward healthy items, and creatively naming foods or meals to make them more appealing to children. For example, researchers found that changing the placement of where fruit is displayed in the lunch line led to a doubling of sales. Similarly, creative naming and display of vegetables increased selection by 40 to 70 percent.</p>
<p>The grants are being released as part of USDA's Team Nutrition initiative, designed to support state-level child nutrition programs through training and technical assistance. The Team Nutrition Training Grants for fiscal year 2014 will require state agency grantees to use the BEN Center's Self-Assessment Score Card to encourage schools in the National School Lunch Program to use Smarter Lunchrooms techniques and increase student choice of whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. These funds may be used to assist the state agency in providing training and technical assistance to school staff in creating Smarter Lunchrooms.</p>
<p>For more information on the FY2014 Team Nutrition Training Grants and upcoming grant-writing webinars please visit <a href="/tn/team-nutrition-training-grants">http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/2014-training-grant-application</a>. To apply for the grants please visit <a href="http://www.grants.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.grants.gov</a>.</p>
<p>These grants are another way USDA is combating child hunger and obesity and improving the health and nutrition of the nation's children. This is a top priority for the Obama Administration and is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama's <em>Let's Move!</em> initiative to combat childhood obesity.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America's nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:16:00 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11358 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:113;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:159:"USDA Finalizes Changes to the WIC Program, Expanding Access to Healthy Fruits and Vegetables, Whole Grains, and Low-Fat Dairy for Women, Infants, and Children ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/003114";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4975:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0031.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-02-28T00:00:00-05:00">02/28/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 28, 2014 – The U. S. Department of Agriculture today finalized changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to further improve the nutrition and health of the nation's low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children. The changes – which increase access to fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy – are based on the latest nutrition science. Today's announcement marks the completion of the first comprehensive revisions to the WIC food packages since 1980.</p>
<p>"The updates to the WIC food package make pivotal improvements to the program and better meet the diverse nutritional needs of mothers and their young children," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The foods provided by the WIC program, along with education that focuses on the critical role of breastfeeding and proper nutrition, help to ensure that every American child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong."</p>
<p>Along with a more than 30 percent increase in the dollar amount for children's fruits and vegetables purchases, the changes also:</p>
<ul><li>expand whole grain options available to participants,</li>
<li>provide yogurt as a partial milk substitute for children and women,</li>
<li>allow parents of older infants to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables instead of jarred infant food if they choose, and;</li>
<li>give states and local WIC agencies more flexibility to meet the nutritional and cultural needs of WIC participants.</li>
</ul><p>The revisions reflect public comments submitted in response to the first major changes in more than 30 years that were published as interim requirements in December 2007, which updated regulations governing WIC foods to align them more closely with updated nutrition science, recommendations of the National Academies' Institute of Medicine and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Federal government's benchmark for healthy eating and nutrition.</p>
<p>WIC provides low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five with nutritious, supplemental foods. The program also provides nutrition and breastfeeding education and referrals to health and social services. Over 8.5 million participants receive WIC benefits each month. Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified changes to the WIC food packages as a contributing factor in the decline in obesity rates among low-income preschoolers in many States.</p>
<p>More information about the changes and the WIC program can be found at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov/wic</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for <a href="/wic" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Women, Infants and Children</a>, these programs include the <a href="/snap" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">National School Lunch Program</a>, and the <a href="/sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 28 Feb 2014 19:02:22 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11292 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:114;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:117:"USDA Announces Fiscal Year 2015 Farm to School Grants to Continue Efforts to Increase Local Foods in Eligible Schools";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/002414";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6063:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">National Program Continues to Increase Access to Local Foods in Schools and Provide New Economic Opportunities for a Variety of Producers</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0024.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-02-19T00:00:00-05:00">02/19/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 19, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the release of a request for applications for the third round of USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School</a> grants, including the addition of a new funding track. These grants help eligible schools improve the health and wellbeing of their students and connect with local agricultural producers.</p>
<p>"Connecting American farmers and ranchers with the National School Lunch Program provides schoolchildren with daily access to locally sourced, healthy foods," said Vilsack. "These Farm to School grants will help schools respond to the growing demand for local foods and increase market opportunities for many types of food producers."</p>
<p>Three different kinds of grants will be available, as well as a separate funding track to support trainings and events. Planning grants are intended for schools just getting started on farm to school activities. Implementation grants are available for schools seeking to augment or expand existing efforts. Additionally, eligible non-profit entities, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies, and agriculture producers or groups of producers may apply for support service grants in order to conduct trainings, create complementary curriculum, or further develop supply chains, among other activities. Proposals are due at 11:59 p.m. EST, April 30, 2014.</p>
<p>New in FY 2015, USDA funds will be made available to support meetings, trainings, and events intended to strengthen farm to school supply chains or provide technical assistance. The Training and Event funds range from $15,000 - $50,000. USDA expects to distribute approximately $500,000 in additional funds to support at least one statewide or regional meeting in all seven FNS regions and at least one national conference. Letters of Intent are due at 11:59 p.m. EST, April 2, 2014.</p>
<p>To assist eligible entities in preparing proposals, USDA will host a series of webinars related to the application process:</p>
<ul><li>March 11, 2014, 1:00 EST – Planning Grants</li>
<li>March 12, 2014, 1:00 EST – Implementation Grants</li>
<li>March 13, 2014, 1:00 EST – Support Service Grants</li>
<li>March 14, 2014, 1:00 EST – Training and Event Funding Track</li>
</ul><p>The Farm to School Grant Program is a cornerstone of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department's work on local and regional foods. The grant program was initiated by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA), which authorized and funded USDA to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. The Act provides $5 million annually to support grants, technical assistance, and the federal administrative costs related to USDA's Farm to School Program. In this funding cycle, USDA anticipates awarding up to $5 million in HHFKA grant funding and an additional $500,000 in program funds to support training and events.</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food. Data show that the vast majority of schools around the country are successfully <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/09/30/when-schools-improve-meals-positive-results-follow/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">meeting the new meal standards</a>.</p>
<ul><li>Last month, USDA awarded $11 million in grants to help schools purchase needed equipment to make preparing and serving healthier meals easier and more efficient for hardworking school food service professionals.</li>
<li>USDA awarded $5.6 million in grants in FY2013 to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs, and plans to award additional grants in FY 2014.</li>
<li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for teachers, parents, healthcare professionals and communities. Schools across the country are using the MyPlate symbol to enhance their nutrition education efforts.</li>
</ul><p>Collectively, these policies and actions will help combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children. This is a top priority for the Obama Administration and is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to combat the challenge of childhood obesity.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 19 Feb 2014 16:08:15 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11229 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:115;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:88:"Obama Administration Announces Additional Assistance to Californians Impacted by Drought";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/002214";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8704:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA will provide up to $100 million in livestock disaster assistance, additional $10 million for water conservation.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0022.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-02-14T00:00:00-05:00">02/14/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>FRESNO, Calif., Feb. 14, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined President Barack Obama in Fresno, Calif., today to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide additional assistance to help farmers, ranchers and residents affected by severe drought in California. At President Obama's direction, USDA has made implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill livestock disaster assistance programs a top priority and plans to have the programs available for sign up by April 15, 2014.</p>
<p>"President Obama and I will continue to do everything within our power to support California farmers, ranchers and families living in drought-stricken areas. This assistance, coupled with other aid being made available across government, should provide some relief during this difficult time," said Vilsack. "Thanks to the newly-signed Farm Bill, we are now able to offer long-awaited livestock disaster assistance, which will provide needed stability for California livestock producers impacted by drought."</p>
<p>USDA has declared 54 counties in California as primary natural disaster areas due to drought. Additional USDA resources announced for California and other drought-stricken states today include:</p>
<ul><li><strong>$100 million in livestock disaster assistance for California producers.</strong> The 2014 Farm Bill contains permanent livestock disaster programs including the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, which will help producers in California and other areas recover from the drought. At President Obama's direction, USDA is making implementation of the disaster programs a top priority and plans to have the programs available for sign up in 60 days. Producers will be able to sign up for the livestock disaster programs for losses not only for 2014 but for losses they experienced in 2012 and 2013. While these livestock programs took over a year to get assistance out the door under the last Farm Bill– USDA has committed to cut that time by more than 80 percent and begin sign-up in April. California alone could potentially receive up to $100 million for 2014 losses and up to $50 million for previous years.</li>
<li><strong>$15 million in targeted conservation assistance for the most extreme and exceptional drought areas. </strong>This includes $5 million in additional assistance to California and $10 million for drought-impacted areas in Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado and New Mexico. The funding is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) administered by USDA. The assistance helps farmers and ranchers implement conservation practices that conserve scarce water resources, reduce wind erosion on drought-impacted fields and improve livestock access to water.</li>
<li><strong>$5 million in targeted Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program assistance to the most drought impacted areas of California to protect vulnerable soils. </strong>EWP helps communities address watershed impairments due to drought and other natural occurrences. This funding will help drought-ravaged communities and private landowners address watershed impairments, such as stabilizing stream banks and replanting upland sites stripped of vegetation.</li>
<li><strong>$60 million has been made available to food banks in the State of California to help families that may be economically impacted by the drought.</strong> The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing help to food banks through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).</li>
<li><strong>600 summer meal sites to be established in California's drought stricken areas. </strong>The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with the California Department of Education to target efforts to expand the number of Summer Food Service Program meal sites this summer. There are expected to be close to 600 summer meal sites throughout the drought stricken areas.</li>
<li><strong>$3 million in Emergency Water Assistance Grants for rural communities experiencing water shortages.</strong> U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making $3 million in grants available to help rural communities that are experiencing a significant decline in the quality or quantity of drinking water due to the drought obtain or maintain water sources of sufficient quantity and quality. These funds will be provided to eligible, qualified communities by application through USDA-Rural Development's Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants (ECWAG). California state health officials have already identified 17 small community water districts in 10 counties that are at risk of running out of water in 60-120 days. This number is expected to increase if current conditions persist.</li>
</ul><p>Today's announcements build on other recent USDA efforts to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners mitigate the impacts of drought. Last week, USDA announced <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2014/02/0014.xml">$20 million in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds</a> for agricultural conservation enhancements on key agricultural lands in California. These enhancements include irrigation efficiency, cover crops, orchard pruning, and protection of grazing lands. USDA also announced <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2014/02/0018.xml">$15 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)</a> in available funding to state and local governments, Tribes, universities, businesses and agricultural producers. These grants are dedicated to stimulating the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, including those that will help communities adapt to drought and climate change.</p>
<p>USDA also announced last week the establishment of <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2014/02/0016.xml">regional Climate Hubs across the country</a> that will help farmers, ranchers and communities get the information and data they need to make informed decisions around a changing climate. One center was established at the University of California, Davis.</p>
<p>As USDA begins implementing disaster assistance programs, producers should record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including:</p>
<ul><li>Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses;</li>
<li>Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts;</li>
<li>Costs of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures;</li>
<li>Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed;</li>
<li>Crop records, including seed and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records;</li>
<li>Pictures of on-farm storage facilities that were destroyed by wind or flood waters; and</li>
<li>Evidence of damaged farm land.</li>
</ul><p>For more information about today's announcements, visit the USDA drought resource page at <a href="http://www.usda.gov/drought">www.usda.gov/drought</a>.</p>
<p>#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:55:42 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11205 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:116;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:90:"USDA Makes Permanent Meat and Grain Serving Flexibilities in National School Lunch Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/000114";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5228:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0001.14</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2014-01-03T00:00:00-05:00">01/03/2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, January 2, 2014 - Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced that USDA is making permanent the current flexibility that allows schools to <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/01/03/2013-31433/certification-of-compliance-with-meal-requirements-for-the-national-school-lunch-program-under-the" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">serve larger portions of lean protein and whole grains at mealtime</a>.</p>
<p>"Earlier this school year, USDA made a commitment to school nutrition professionals that we would make the meat and grain flexibility permanent and provide needed stability for long-term planning. We have delivered on that promise," said Concannon.</p>
<p>USDA has worked closely with schools and parents during the transition to healthier breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Based on public feedback, USDA has made a number of updates to school meal standards, including additional flexibility in <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/SP11-2013os.pdf" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">meeting the daily and weekly ranges for grain and meat/meat alternates</a> (PDF, 103KB), which has been available to schools on a temporary basis since 2012.</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food. Data show that vast majority of schools around the country are successfully <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/09/30/when-schools-improve-meals-positive-results-follow/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">meeting the new meal standards</a>.</p>
<ul><li>Last month, USDA awarded $11 million in grants to help schools purchase needed equipment to make preparing and serving healthier meals easier and more efficient for hardworking school food service professionals.</li>
<li>In November 2013, USDA issued an additional $5 million through the <a href="/farmtoschool/farm-school" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School</a> grant program to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools. USDA <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/021813" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">awarded grants to 71 projects</a> spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia.</li>
<li>USDA awarded $5.6 million in grants in FY2013 to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs, and plans to award additional grants in FY 2014.</li>
<li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for teachers, parents, healthcare professionals and communities. Schools across the country are using the MyPlate symbol to enhance their nutrition education efforts.</li>
</ul><p>Collectively, these policies and actions will help combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children. This is a top priority for the Obama Administration and is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to combat the challenge of childhood obesity.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:17:42 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"10917 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:117;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:101:"USDA Awards Grants for New School Food Service Equipment to Help Schools Improve the Quality of Meals";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/024313";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6401:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0243.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-12-18T00:00:00-05:00">12/18/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding $11 million in grants to help schools purchase needed equipment to make preparing and serving healthier meals easier and more efficient for hardworking school food service professionals.</p>
<p>"Schools are successfully serving healthier meals to America's students, but the right equipment and training can further their efforts to improve the health of our next generation," said Vilsack. "These grants will help schools upgrade equipment to help support nutritious meals, better ensure food safety, improve energy efficiency in the cafeteria, and expand participation in school nutrition programs."</p>
<p>In addition to the District of Columbia and Guam, fourteen states were selected to receive grants based on free- and reduced-price participation in the National School Lunch Program and greatest unmet need. They are Arkansas, California, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. States will competitively award the funds to school districts to purchase needed equipment, with priority given to districts serving a high percentage of low-income children.</p>
<p>Outdated equipment can pose a barrier to preparing healthy meals on a large scale. Today, the Kids' Safe and Healthful Foods Project, a collaboration between The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released a report, <a href="http://www.pewhealth.org/reports-analysis/reports/serving-healthy-school-meals-kitchen-equipment-85899527489">Serving Healthy School Meals: U.S. Schools Need Updated Kitchen Equipment</a>, which focuses on school equipment needs based on a survey of school food service personnel. The findings suggest that while most schools need additional resources to upgrade cafeteria equipment, the equipment itself is not necessarily expensive or out of reach—estimated costs for top five needed items ranged from $32 to $1,941. Today's grants provide additional resources for schools to purchase equipment that will make serving healthier meals easier, safer and more efficient for school food service personnel.</p>
<p>The school equipment grants announced today are one example of how USDA is supporting schools as they implement the new meal patterns resulting from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kid's Act of 2010. USDA works closely with schools to address implementation challenges, and provides grants and technical assistance to overcome barriers. USDA is also currently working to permanently establish the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/SP26-2013os.pdf">meat and grain flexibilities</a> that we announced last year, and extended for the current school year.</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<ul><li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act</a>.</li>
<li>Last month, USDA issued an additional $5 million through the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school">Farm to School</a> grant program to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools. USDA <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/021813">awarded</a> grants to 71 projects spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia.</li>
<li>USDA awarded $5.6 million in grants in FY2013 to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs, and plans to award additional grants in FY 2014.</li>
<li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for teachers, parents, healthcare professionals and communities. Schools across the country are using the MyPlate symbol to enhance their nutrition education efforts.</li>
</ul><p>Collectively, these policies and actions will help combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children. This is a top priority for the Obama Administration and is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to combat the challenge of childhood obesity.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 06 Jan 2014 15:09:17 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"10920 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:118;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:136:"Study Shows Strong Nutrition Education Can Lead to Healthier Food Choices by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Recipients";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-001313";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8066:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0013.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Chief Communications Officer (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-12-05T00:00:00-05:00">12/05/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, December 5, 2013 -- The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a study providing clear evidence that well-designed nutrition education programs can lead to healthier food choices by participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).</p>
<p>The study, <a href="/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-education-and-evaluation-study-wave-ii">SNAP Education and Evaluation Study (Wave II)</a>, evaluated the impact of several nutrition education programs on fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income elementary school children and seniors. The study found that children participating in certain nutrition education programs increased their daily fruit and vegetable consumption at home by a quarter- to a third-cup, and were more likely to choose low-fat or fat-free milk. Participating seniors consumed about a half-cup more fruits and vegetables daily.</p>
<p>“The results of this study reiterate the critical role of nutrition education and promotion in improving the healthfulness of SNAP purchases,” said Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. “USDA and our partners continue to explore a wide-ranging set of strategies that support families as they purchase, prepare and eat more healthy foods.”</p>
<p>Two of the programs studied for this report provided nutrition education lessons in schools, take-home materials and activities to low-income elementary-aged children.  Researchers found that the design, content, and messages of the programs were well-received by school staff.   The most successful intervention utilized a variety of methods to educate students while engaging parents and caregivers through take-home materials that helped to address concerns about providing healthy foods on a tight budget.</p>
<p>The third program  provided direct nutrition education, take-home materials and other materials to low-income adults aged 60 to 80 at senior sites and other gathering centers. </p>
<p>Researchers found that participants that completed take-home activities adopted healthier behaviors and were more engaged in discussions about overcoming the challenges and barriers to purchasing, preparing and consuming fruits and vegetables.  </p>
<p>The study demonstrates that effective nutrition education programs, like those supported by the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program, or <a href="/snap/nutrition-education">SNAP-Ed</a>, can impact SNAP participants’ willingness to try, buy and eat more healthy foods.  The program, which was recently updated though the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, emphasizes evidence-based, outcome-driven interventions, with a focus on preventing obesity and coordinating with other programs for maximum impact and cost-effectiveness.</p>
<p>“The nutrition education provided by SNAP represents a unique opportunity to address the epidemic of obesity in our country, while also supporting vulnerable citizens with a strong nutrition safety net,” noted Concannon. “SNAP provides benefits to our nation’s health, as well as our economy.  It is essential that Congress work quickly to enact a comprehensive, multi-year, Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that preserves these critical programs.”</p>
<p>Through SNAP-Ed, USDA provides funding to states to implement nutrition education interventions designed to help participating families make healthy choices.  The programs discussed in today’s report were implemented by the <a href="http://idph.iowa.gov/">Iowa Nutrition Network</a>, the <a href="http://www2.ca.uky.edu/hes/?p=146">University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service</a>, and the <a href="http://msue.anr.msu.edu/topic/info/nutrition">Michigan State University Extension</a>, and the evaluation of the programs was conducted by the Altarum Institute and RTI International.</p>
<p>No one solution can solve the problems of poor diet and obesity among American children and families, which is why USDA and its program partners continue to seek out and implement evidence-based solutions to encourage SNAP participants to purchase and consume healthy foods. As we present these results, we are pursuing a range of strategies that improve access to healthy foods, including:</p>
<ul><li>Testing the impact of public-private efforts to incentivize fruit and vegetable purchases by SNAP recipients, including the <a href="http://www.dhs.state.mn.us">SNAP+</a> pilot project in Minnesota that offers $5 coupons to SNAP households for the purchase of locally-grown fruits and vegetables and a pilot project with <a href="http://www.fairfoodnetwork.org/connect/blog/nudging-detroit-program-doubles-food-stamp-bucks-grocery-stores">Fair Food Network</a> in Michigan to make available locally-sourced produce in corner grocery stores in metropolitan Detroit.</li>
<li>Making fresh fruits and vegetables <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000813">more accessible</a> to low-income families through grants to help farmers markets install and operate EBT card readers. More than 3,800 farmers markets and farm stands are now authorized to accept payment through SNAP and WIC.</li>
<li>Gathering stakeholder input on stricter “depth of stock” requirements for SNAP retailers to better determine how to improve program integrity and expand the availability of more healthful foods to SNAP recipients, without compromising access to food for SNAP participants or unnecessarily burdening retailers that redeem SNAP benefits.</li>
<li>Evaluating the results of the <a href="/pressrelease/2013/15013">Healthy Incentives Pilot</a>, designed to test the impact of incentivizing fruit and vegetable purchases among SNAP recipients.  Our work to date demonstrates that a relatively small ongoing investment may result in a 25 percent increase in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults.</li>
<li>Providing shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html">10-Tips Nutrition Series</a> and the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodplanscostoffood.htm">Thrifty Food Plan</a>.</li>
</ul><p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p align="center">##</p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 05 Dec 2013 18:50:49 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"10685 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:119;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:60:"USDA Announces Additional Support to Help Schools Buy Local ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/021813";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7566:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0218.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-11-19T00:00:00-05:00">11/19/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced grants for 71 projects spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia that support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to connect school cafeterias with local farmers and ranchers through its Farm to School program.</p>
<p>"In rural and urban communities across the country, Farm to School programs teach students where food comes from, while providing healthy foods that are grown locally on farms and ranches across the nation," said Vilsack. "These programs also create new market opportunities for local farmers and ranchers interested in partnering with nearby school districts – and by helping to create an even more diverse and thriving agriculture sector, Farm to School efforts hold potential to create new jobs in rural areas."</p>
<p>Selected projects will serve more than 13,000 schools and 2.8 million students, nearly 45 percent of whom live in rural communities. Projects are diverse:</p>
<ul><li><b>Somerville Public Schools in Massachusetts</b> will work to develop a district-wide farm to school program with community partners that focus on creating youth jobs and promoting healthy eating and physical education.</li>
<li><b>Olympia School District in Washington state</b> will partner with two local farms to help students apply biology, American history, and horticulture skills towards farm management. The farms will grow organic produce for the school district and serve as an outdoor educational space for students.</li>
<li><b>Bayfield Regional Food Producers Cooperative in Wisconsin</b> will overcome the obstacles of a short growing season by helping local school districts install and manage high tunnels to supplement school gardens. In addition to providing nutrient-dense hardy greens and other vegetables to the students in their lunches and snacks, the high tunnels will allow educators to implement experiential, project‐based learning in the spring and fall seasons.</li>
<li><b>Northeast Iowa Food &amp; Fitness Initiative and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission in Iowa</b> will work with local farmers and a newly established food hub to boost production to meet the needs of local schools. They have set a goal with four rural school districts to increase local purchases by 200 percent.</li>
</ul><p>These projects highlight the critical need for a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill now more than ever, said Vilsack. Producers need renewed and expanded access to Farm Bill programs to fuel the growing demand for local food in new markets, including school meals programs, and to increase economic opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers.</p>
<p>USDA Farm to School grants help schools respond to the growing demand for locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, including food processors, manufacturers, and distributors. Grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes. For a complete list of FY14 Farm to School grant recipients, please see: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2014_Grant_Award_Summaries.pdf" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2014_Grant_Award_Summaries.pdf</a></p>
<p>USDA recently released the results of the first-ever <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School Census</a>, which showed that in school year 2011-2012, school districts purchased and served over $350 million in local food, with more than half of participating schools planning to purchase more local foods in the future. School districts that missed the opportunity earlier in the year to respond can submit information regarding farm to school practices through November 30, 2013.</p>
<p>USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School Program</a> is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which authorized USDA to provide grants and technical assistance to help schools gain better access to local foods. It is also a core element of the USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative</a>, which coordinates the department's work on local food systems.</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<ul><li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative</a>.</li>
<li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities.</li>
<li>USDA <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/029712" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">awarded</a> $5.2 million in grants to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs.</li>
</ul><p>Collectively these policies and actions are helping to combat child hunger and obesity, while improving the health and nutrition of the nation's children. For more information on the Farm to School program, please visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/farm-school" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Farm to School</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/grants-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">grants</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 19 Nov 2013 18:28:25 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"10524 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:120;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:45:"USDA Celebrates National Farm to School Month";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/019713";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6585:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Nationwide Census on Farm to School Activities Identifies Over 38,000 Schools with 21 Million Students Serving Over $350 Million in Local Food 
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0197.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-10-22T00:00:00-04:00">10/22/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, October 22, 2013 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted important strides made in offering healthy, local food to millions of school children through USDA's Farm to School program, and emphasized the program's role in creating economic opportunity for America's farmers and ranchers. According to USDA's first-ever Farm to School Census, in school year 2011-2012, schools participating in farm to school activities purchased and served over $350 million in local food, with more than half of participating schools planning to purchase even more local foods in future school years.</p>
<p>"An investment in the health of America's students through farm to school activities is also an investment in the health of local economies," said Vilsack. "We know that when students have experiences such as tending a school garden or visiting a farm they'll be more likely to make healthy choices in the cafeteria. We also know that when schools invest their food dollars in their local communities, all of agriculture benefits, including local farmers, ranchers, fishermen, food processors and manufacturers."</p>
<p>Forty-three percent of public school districts across the country reported having an existing farm to school program in place, with another 13 percent of school districts surveyed committed to launching a farm to school program in the near future.</p>
<p>Interest in local products spans the school meal tray, with fruits, vegetables, and milk topping the list of local products currently offered in schools across the country, while census respondents indicate an interest in local plant-based proteins, grains and flour, and meat and poultry in the future.</p>
<p>Vilsack added that through these efforts, schools continue to enhance the health of the school food environment, meet the new meal standards implemented last school year and demonstrate the role local food can play in school meals.</p>
<p>Census results can be accessed online, at <a href="https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/</a>. School districts that missed the opportunity earlier in the year to respond can submit information regarding farm to school practices through Nov. 30, 2013.</p>
<p>USDA's Farm to School Program is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which authorized USDA to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, to improve access to local foods in schools. It is also a core element of the USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative</a>, which coordinates the Department's work on local food systems. In mid-November, USDA will announce approximately $5 million in FY2014 Farm to School grants to help school districts across the country further develop their farm to school programming.</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<ul><li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="/school-meals/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>.</li>
<li>USDA's <i>MyPlate</i> symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities.</li>
<li>USDA <a href="/pressrelease/2012/029712" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">awarded</a> $5.2 million in grants to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs.</li>
</ul><p>Collectively these policies and actions will help combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children. For more information on the Farm to School program, please visit <a href="/farmtoschool/farm-school" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>For an infographic featuring the data released today, please visit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/10410338223/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/10410338223/</a></p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 22 Oct 2013 19:21:41 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"10187 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:121;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:96:"Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Household Food Security in the United States";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/016913";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:2992:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0169.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-09-04T00:00:00-04:00">09/04/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement on the release of the USDA Economic Research Service analysis <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&amp;enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTMwOTA0LjIyNTgzNDcxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDEzMDkwNC4yMjU4MzQ3MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NzU4OTQ0JmVtYWlsaWQ9Z2xlbm4ua2F1cEBmbnMudXNkYS5nb3YmdXNlcmlkPWdsZW5uLmthdXBAZm5zLnVzZGEuZ292JmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&amp;&amp;&amp;101&amp;&amp;&amp;http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err-economic-research-report/err155.aspx">Household Food Security in the United States in 2012</a>:</p>
<p>"Food insecurity remains a very real challenge for millions of Americans. Today’s report underscores the importance of programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that have helped keep food insecurity from rising, even during the economic recession. As the recovery continues and families turn to USDA nutrition programs for help to put good food on the table, this is not the time for cuts to the SNAP program that would disqualify millions of Americans and threaten a rise in food insecurity. For our part, USDA will continue to deliver a strong nutrition program with an error rate that is at a historic low.”</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).<br /> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/fsec" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">FSEC</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 04 Sep 2013 19:24:27 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"9353 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:122;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:143:"USDA Releases New Report on Trafficking and Announces Additional Measures to Improve Integrity in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-001213";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9572:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0012.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-08-15T00:00:00-04:00">08/15/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 15, 2013 – Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today released <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/menu/Published/SNAP/FILES/ProgramIntegrity/Trafficking2009_Summary.pdf">a report</a> that examines the trafficking rate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and better pinpoints where the vast majority of SNAP trafficking occurs—smaller stores that typically offer minimal access to the healthier foods encouraged by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin gathering public input on establishing <a href="/fr-082013">stricter “depth of stock” requirements</a> for SNAP retailers in order to discourage bad actors from entering and abusing the program. This move also supports USDA’s continuing efforts to improve SNAP recipients’ access to healthy foods.</p>
<p>The report indicates that the vast majority of trafficking – the illegal sale of SNAP benefits for cash or other ineligible items – occurs in smaller-sized retailers that typically stock fewer healthy foods. Over the last five fiscal years, the number of retailers authorized to participate in SNAP has grown by over 40 percent; small- and medium-sized retailers account for the vast majority of that growth. The rate of trafficking in larger grocery stores and supermarkets—where 82 percent of all benefits were redeemed—remained low at less than 0.5 percent.</p>
<p>While the overall trafficking rate has remained relatively steady at approximately one cent on the dollar, the report attributes the change in the rate to 1.3 percent primarily to the growth in small- and medium-sized retailers authorized to accept SNAP that may not provide sufficient healthful offerings to recipients. These retailers accounted for 85 percent of all trafficking redemptions. This finding echoes a <a href="http://www.gao.gov/assets/260/252570.pdf">Government Accountability Office</a> (GAO) report that suggested minimal stocking requirements in SNAP may contribute to corrupt retailers entering the program.</p>
<p>“USDA has a zero tolerance policy on fraud, and we continue to strengthen our anti-fraud tactics to identify and exclude bad actors. More than any other factor, we know that the change in the trafficking rate is being driven by the growth in the number of smaller retailers where trafficking occurs at ten times the rate of larger grocery stores and supermarkets,” said Concannon. “And while the vast majority of retailers and participants are honest, exploring enhanced retailer requirements reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that everyone plays by the rules.”</p>
<p>In order to begin the process of establishing stricter retailer stocking requirements, USDA will be publishing a <a href="/fr-082013">Request for Information</a> (RFI) in the Federal Register to solicit feedback from stakeholders and the public.</p>
<p>USDA today also <a href="/fr-082113">finalized a rule</a> that will provide states the option to require SNAP recipients to make contact with the state when there have been an excessive number of requests for EBT card replacements in a year. Requesting excessive replacement cards can indicate that a client is exchanging SNAP cards for cash or other ineligible items. The rule will provide states the opportunity to determine whether the request is legitimate, or requires further investigation.</p>
<p>“Eliminating waste, fraud and abuse is a shared responsibility between the federal government and the states that administer SNAP,” said Concannon. “This new rule better safeguards the taxpayer investment in this critical nutrition program by providing states with additional tools to investigate potentially fraudulent behavior.”</p>
<p>SNAP continues to have one of the lowest fraud rates for Federal programs. Over the past several years, USDA has taken steps to improve SNAP oversight through its <a href="/integrity/snap-stewardship-solutions-project">SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project</a>. USDA has seen declines in the rate of trafficking from four percent down to about one percent of benefits over the last 15 years. While fraud is rare in SNAP, no amount is acceptable, and it will not be tolerated. USDA continues to crack down on individuals who violate the program and misuse taxpayer dollars by:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Supporting a Robust Investigation Process</strong> that, so far this fiscal year, has led to sanctioning of 549 stores and permanent disqualification of 826 stores for trafficking in SNAP benefits or falsifying an application. In 2012, USDA reviewed more than 15,000 stores and permanently disqualified almost 1,400 for program violations, a 14 percent increase over the 1,215 disqualified permanently in FY 2011. The Administration has requested additional resources for program integrity in the fiscal year 2014 budget request.</li>
<li><strong>Cracking Down on New Forms of Fraud</strong> by requiring more frequent reviews of higher risk retailers, and <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000213">expanding the definition of fraud</a> to include so-called “water dumping” and online schemes to illegally sell benefits through social media sites like Facebook, Craigslist and Twitter.</li>
<li><strong>Establishing Stiffer Penalties</strong> including a proposed rule that allows USDA to not only <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000113">permanently disqualify a retailer</a> who traffics, but to assess a monetary penalty in addition to the disqualification, and a separate proposal that would authorize USDA to <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000213">immediately suspend payments to retailers suspected of flagrant trafficking violations</a> while the retailer is under investigation.</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening State Partnerships</strong> through <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000613">data-sharing agreements</a> to help states more aggressively target suspicious recipient activity and State Law Enforcement Bureau agreements, including a recently announced partnership with Massachusetts, that expands the power of states to investigate retailer fraud. </li>
<li><strong>Improving Program Administration</strong> including ensuring that only eligible individuals participate and that recipients receive the correct amount of benefits with a <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/06/21/snap-payment-accuracy-best-on-record/">record-high payment accuracy rate</a> of 96.58 percent.</li>
</ul><p>The SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project is part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste designed to fight fraud, abuse and misuse in federal programs. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud, visit the Stop SNAP fraud website at <a href="/snap/fighting-snap-fraud">www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud.htm</a>.</p>
<p>SNAP is the nation's first line of defense against hunger and is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of millions low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>USDA’s <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">Food and Nutrition Service</a> (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program and other child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/fraud" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Fraud</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/program-integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Program Integrity</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 15 Aug 2013 18:08:59 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"8536 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:123;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:68:"USDA Study Shows SNAP Participation Leads to Improved Food Security ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-001113";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6200:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0011.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-08-06T00:00:00-04:00">08/06/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 6, 2013 –Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) leads to improved food security, particularly among low-income children, according to the findings of <a href="/measuring-effect-snap-participation-food-security-0">Measuring the Effect of SNAP Participation on Food Security</a> released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.</p>
<p>According to the study, among households that participated in SNAP for about six months there was a <u>significant decrease</u> in food insecurity. The effect was even stronger for households in which children are experiencing food insecurity.  Research suggests that children in food-insecure households face higher risks of health and development problems than children in otherwise similar food-secure households.</p>
<p>“The results of this study reiterate the vital role of SNAP in reducing hunger and ensuring that the next generation has access to the nutritious food it needs to grow up healthy and strong,” said Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon.</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<ul><li>USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html">10-Tips Nutrition Series</a> and the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodplanscostoffood.htm">Thrifty Food Plan</a>.</li>
<li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at ChooseMyPlate.gov provide quick, easy reference tools to facilitate healthy eating on a budget for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities. USDA's <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/supertracker.html">SuperTracker</a>, a free online planning and tracking tool, helps more than two million Americans improve food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and track physical activity on a daily basis.</li>
<li>Participation in USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program led to a <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000413">third of a cup increase in fruit and vegetable consumption per day</a> by low-income children. The program aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students in the nation’s poorest elementary schools by providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to students outside of regular school meals.</li>
<li>USDA recently published an <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000513">interim final rule</a> that supports our efforts, working with state partners, to implement effective nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions in SNAP.</li>
<li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>. USDA recently announced <a href="/pressrelease/2013/013413">Smart Snacks in Schools</a>, which sets guidelines for all foods and beverages sold in school, to ensure that students will be offered only healthier food options during the school day.</li>
<li>USDA recently announced <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000813">expanded eligibility</a> for $4 million in grants to improve access to fresh produce and healthy foods for SNAP shoppers at America's farmers markets. By increasing the number of farmers markets that are able to accept SNAP benefits, we are encouraging SNAP recipients to use their benefits to purchase and prepare healthy foods for their families.</li>
</ul><p>USDA’s Economic Research Service defines food insecure households as having limited consistent access to adequate food due to a lack of money and other resources at times during the year. In households with very low food security, eating patterns of one or more household members are disrupted and food intake reduced because the household lacks money and other resources for food.</p>
<p>USDA's<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov"> Food and Nutrition Service</a> oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p>Read the <a href="/sites/default/files/Measuring2013Sum.pdf">summary  </a>and <a href="/sites/default/files/Measuring2013.pdf">full results</a> of the report.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 06 Aug 2013 16:26:06 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"7427 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:124;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:94:"USDA Tests New Methods to Ensure Children Have Access to Healthy Food during the Summer Months";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-001013";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5454:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">fns-0010.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-08-01T00:00:00-04:00">08/01/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 1, 2013—An Agriculture Department evaluation released today examines the impact of a new alternative delivery method for providing low income children with access to food during the summer months when school meals are not available. As part of its ongoing commitment to improving access to healthy food for low income children, USDA has set a <a href="/pressrelease/2013/011813">goal of serving 5 million more meals</a> to eligible children this summer.  Following a directive from Congress, USDA has also conducted a series of projects examining methods to better serve low income children, particularly those living in remote areas or areas otherwise underserved by USDA’s <a href="/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">summer meals programs</a>.</p>
<p>Authorized and funded by Congress in 2010, the <a href="/ops/summer-electronic-benefit-transfer-children-sebtc">Summer EBT for Children (SEBTC) demonstration project</a>  is testing the impact of providing a monthly household benefit through existing electronic benefit transfer systems on food insecurity among low income children during the summer when school meals are not available. The evaluation report released today highlights the impact of the project during the summer of 2012, including:</p>
<ul><li>Reaching a significant proportion of low income children eligible for free and reduced-price school meals.  USDA’s evaluation found that the SEBTC approach could reach up to 75 percent of eligible children.</li>
<li>Reducing food insecurity among low income children.  SEBTC reduced the prevalence of food insecurity among children by 19 percent, and the prevalence of very low food security among children, the most severe category, by 33 percent, compared to children who did not receive SEBTC benefits.</li>
<li>Improving the diets of young, low-income Americans during the summer months. Participating children in households with SEBTC ate more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dairy foods while consuming fewer sugar-sweetened beverages.</li>
</ul><p>The demonstration and evaluation will continue through the summer of 2013.  As part of SEBTC this summer, a new set of participating households are receiving a smaller benefit to determine if similarly positive results can be obtained at a lower cost.</p>
<p>USDA continues working with First Lady Michelle Obama on the Let's Move! initiative, which is helping to promote healthy eating and physical activity while supporting the health of American families. Through the combined efforts of USDA and its partners, the United States is beginning to see progress and improvements in the health of our Nation's children.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program and other child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.<br />USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act.</p>
<p>USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/ebt" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">EBT</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 01 Aug 2013 13:49:45 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"7125 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:125;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:149:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Results of Healthy Incentives Pilot; Discusses Additional USDA Efforts to Encourage Healthier SNAP Purchases ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/015013";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9582:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Small Investment Leads to Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among SNAP Recipients</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0150.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-07-24T00:00:00-04:00">07/24/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 24, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the <a href="/healthy-incentives-pilot-hip-interim-report" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">results of USDA's Healthy Incentives Pilot (HIP)</font></u></a> and discussed additional steps USDA and its partners are taking to encourage recipients to purchase healthy foods using SNAP benefits.</p>
<p>Authorized by Congress through the 2008 Farm Bill, HIP tested the impact of incentivizing fruit and vegetable purchases among a small group of SNAP recipients in Hampden, Mass. The pilot determined that an ongoing investment of less than 15 cents per person per day may result in a 25 percent increase in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults. Adults receiving the HIP incentive consumed, on average, an ounce more fruits and vegetables per day than non-participants.</p>
<p>"Although healthy foods aren't necessarily more expensive, many low income people face time and resource challenges when it comes to putting healthy food on the table that can make less healthy options seem more appealing," said Vilsack. "The results of the Healthy Incentives Pilot demonstrate the clear impact that promoting nutritious food choices can have on improving the healthfulness of SNAP purchases."</p>
<p>Vilsack also highlighted ongoing public-private efforts that provide support and incentives to SNAP participants to purchase more healthy foods. He cited a pilot project in Minnesota that offers $5 coupons to SNAP households for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables and a pilot project in Michigan to make locally sourced produce available in corner grocery stores in metropolitan Detroit.</p>
<p>"Research to date shows that incentives can work, but we know that no single solution can solve the problems of poor diet and obesity among American children and families," said Vilsack. "That is why we are supporting a broad spectrum of SNAP-focused strategies that empower low-income families to purchase more healthy foods."</p>
<p>Providing science-based nutrition advice and expanding the availability of healthy food to all Americans is a major goal of USDA's nutrition assistance programs and this Administration. The strategies highlighted today complement other initiatives underway at USDA to promote healthy eating by all Americans, including:</p>
<ul><li>USDA recently published an <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000513" onclick="openExternalWindow('http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000513'); return false;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">interim final</font></u></a> rule that supports our efforts, working with state partners, to implement effective nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions in SNAP.</li>
<li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm" onclick="openExternalWindow('http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm'); return false;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</font></u></a>. USDA recently announced <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/013413" onclick="openExternalWindow('http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/013413'); return false;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">Smart Snacks in Schools</font></u></a>, which sets healthy guidelines for all foods and beverages sold in school to ensure that students will be offered only healthier food options during the school day.</li>
<li>USDA recently announced <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000813" onclick="openExternalWindow('http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000813'); return false;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">expanded eligibility</font></u></a> for $4 million in grants to improve access to fresh produce and healthy foods for SNAP shoppers at America's farmers markets. By increasing the number of farmers markets that are able to accept SNAP benefits, we are encouraging SNAP recipients to use their benefits to purchase and prepare healthy foods for their families.</li>
<li>USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html" onclick="openExternalWindow('http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html'); return false;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">10-Tips Nutrition Series</font></u></a> and the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodplanscostoffood.htm" onclick="openExternalWindow('http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodplanscostoffood.htm'); return false;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">Thrifty Food Plan</font></u></a>.</li>
<li>Through USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER"><u><font color="#0000ff">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food</font></u></a>, the Department has worked to increase access to nutritious food through the development of strong local and regional food systems. The number of farmers markets increased by more than 67 percent in the last four years and there are now more than 220 regional food hubs in operation around the country.</li>
<li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" onclick="openExternalWindow('http://www.choosemyplate.gov'); return false;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">ChooseMyPlate.gov</font></u></a> provide quick, easy reference tools to facilitate healthy eating on a budget for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities. USDA's <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/supertracker.html" onclick="openExternalWindow('http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/supertracker.html'); return false;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">SuperTracker</font></u></a>, a free online planning and tracking tool, helps more than two million Americans improve food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and track physical activity on a daily basis.</li>
</ul><p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" onclick="openExternalWindow('http://www.fns.usda.gov'); return false;" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#810081">www.fns.usda.gov</font></u></a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p>USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hip" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HIP</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:15:07 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"6390 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:126;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:162:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Highlights New &quot;Smart Snacks in School&quot; Standards; Will Ensure School Vending Machines, Snack Bars Include Healthy Choices";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/013413";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7801:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0134.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-06-27T00:00:00-04:00">06/27/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 27, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that under USDA's new "Smart Snacks in School" nutrition standards, America's students will be offered healthier food options during the school day.</p>
<p>"Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children," said Secretary Vilsack. "Parents and schools work hard to give our youngsters the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong, and providing healthy options throughout school cafeterias, vending machines, and snack bars will support their great efforts."</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/CNR_2010.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a> requires USDA to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools -- beyond the federally-supported meals programs. The "Smart Snacks in School" nutrition standards, to be published this week in the <em>Federal Register</em>, reflect USDA's thoughtful consideration and response to the nearly 250,000 comments received on the proposal earlier this year.</p>
<p>"Smart Snacks in School" carefully balances science-based nutrition guidelines with practical and flexible solutions to promote healthier eating on campus, drawing on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine and existing voluntary standards already implemented by thousands of schools around the country, as well as healthy food and beverage offerings already available in the marketplace.</p>
<p>Highlights of the "Smart Snacks in School" nutrition standards include:</p>
<ul><li><em>More of the foods we should encourage.</em> Like the new school meals, the standards require healthier foods, more whole grains, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and leaner protein.</li>
<li><em>Less of the foods we should avoid.</em> Food items are lower in fat, sugar, and sodium and provide more of the nutrients kids need.</li>
<li><em>Targeted standards.</em> Allowing variation by age group for factors such as portion size and caffeine content.</li>
<li><em>Flexibility for important traditions.</em> Preserving the ability for parents to send their kids to school with homemade lunches or treats for activities such as birthday parties, holidays, and other celebrations; and allowing schools to continue traditions like fundraisers and bake sales.</li>
<li><em>Ample time for implementation.</em> Schools and food and beverage companies will have an entire school year to make the necessary changes, and USDA will offer training and technical assistance every step of the way.</li>
<li><em>Reasonable limitations on when and where the standards apply.</em> Ensuring that standards only affect foods that are sold on school campus during the school day. Foods sold at afterschool sporting events or other activities will not be subject to these requirements.</li>
<li><em>Flexibility for state and local communities.</em> Allowing significant local and regional autonomy by only establishing minimum requirements for schools. States and schools that have stronger standards than what is being proposed will be able to maintain their own policies.</li>
</ul><p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<p>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>.</p>
<ul><li>USDA's <em>MyPlate</em> symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities.</li>
<li>USDA launched a new $5 million <a href="/farmtoschool/farm-school" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School</a> grant program in 2012 to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools.</li>
<li>USDA <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/029712" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">awarded</a> $5.2 million in grants to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs.</li>
</ul><p>Collectively these policies and actions will help combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children; a top priority for the Obama Administration. The interim final rule announced today is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama's <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Let's Move!</a> initiative to combat the challenge of childhood obesity.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">#</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/smart-snacks-school" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Smart Snacks in School</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/snacks" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Snacks</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/healthy-choices" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Choices</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/healthier-school-day" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthier School Day</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:27:53 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"5884 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:127;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:93:"USDA Promotes Efforts to Ensure Children Have Access to Healthy Food during the Summer Months";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/011813";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7086:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0118.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-06-10T00:00:00-04:00">06/10/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 10, 2013 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off National Summer Food Service Program Week by reiterating USDA's commitment to ensuring that no child goes hungry when school is out and highlighting progress towards USDA's goal of serving 5 million more meals to eligible kids across the country.</p>
<p>"When school is out during the summer months, many families struggle to feed their children even one nutritious meal a day," said Vilsack. "Government cannot address this challenge alone, which is why, this week, we join our valued partners to raise awareness about the nutrition gap low-income children face when schools close for the summer. Working together, we can make sure children have access to nutritious food year-round."</p>
<p>National Summer Food Service Program week is a national push to promote USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Summer Food Service Program</a> (SFSP) and other initiatives across the country to feed more low-income children when school is out. These federally-funded programs are designed to alleviate hunger during the summer months and operate through partnerships between USDA, state agencies and local organizations.</p>
<p>Last year, USDA's summer feeding programs provided 161 million meals, feeding approximately 3.5 million children on a typical summer day. In order to ensure that no child goes hungry this summer, USDA and its partners are redoubling their efforts to reach more eligible low-income children. USDA efforts include:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li><strong>Issuing a <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/006813" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">national call to action</a> for schools, communities and faith-based organizations</strong> across the country to increase the number of SFSP sponsors and feeding sites to ensure that no child goes hungry when school is out.</li>
<li><strong>Providing intensive technical assistance to expand the reach of the program in five states</strong> with high levels of rural and urban food insecurity and/or reduced program participation, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Rhode Island and Virginia. Arkansas, Colorado and Virginia are also states targeted by USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE">StrikeForce</a>, an initiative designed to improve the quality of life and boost economic growth in high poverty rural areas.</li>
<li><strong>Working with individuals, schools and community organizations to help connect families to summer meals</strong>. Summer feeding sites are located in many low-income communities across the country. To find sites in a particular area, call 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-Hambre (Spanish) or visit the <a href="http://www.whyhunger.org/findfood" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">National Hunger Clearinghouse resource directory</a>.</li>
</ul><p>"USDA's summer feeding initiative supports programs that keep children active and engaged when school is out, reducing learning loss that often occurs during the summer months," said Vilsack. "We must do all we can to ensure that children get nutritious food year-round, so that they are ready to learn during the school year and have a greater chance to succeed."</p>
<p>USDA continues working with First Lady Michelle Obama on the Let's Move! initiative, which is helping to promote healthy eating and physical activity while supporting the health of American families. Through the combined efforts of USDA and its partners, the United States is beginning to see progress and improvements in the health of our Nation's children.</p>
<p>USDA's <a href="/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Food and Nutrition Service</a> oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program and other child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p>USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/sfsp-6" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">sfsp</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/summer-food-service-program" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Summer Food Service Program</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/no-child-goes-hungry" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">No Child Goes Hungry</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/school-lunch" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">School Lunch</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:01:39 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"4768 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:128;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:66:"USDA Announces Results in Ongoing Effort to Improve SNAP Integrity";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000913";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5630:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New Procedures Help States Identify SNAP Fraud through Social Media</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0009.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-05-14T00:00:00-04:00">05/14/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 14, 2013 – USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced the department is making significant progress towards achieving greater integrity in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  In efforts to identify and reduce fraud, USDA took the following actions through the second quarter fiscal year 2013:</p>
<ul><li>Imposed sanctions, through fines or temporary disqualifications, on 336 stores found violating program rules; and</li>
<li>Disqualified permanently 536 stores for trafficking SNAP benefits (i.e. illegally exchanging SNAP benefits for cash) or falsifying an application.</li>
</ul><p>“USDA continues to take an aggressive stance on fraud to preserve the integrity of the nation’s largest nutrition safety net,” said Concannon, under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services.  “We have realigned our retailer operations function to further our national compliance efforts, and are working more closely with our state partners to hold bad actors accountable and fight fraudulent activity whenever and wherever it takes place.”</p>
<p>USDA’s <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">Food and Nutrition Service</a>  is also working with states to strengthen their ability to monitor social media web sites for attempts by individuals to buy or sell SNAP benefits online.  USDA is providing information to state investigators on how to use free publically available tools to search for posts attempting to buy or sell SNAP benefits.  By using such tools, states will be alerted via e-mail of potentially illegal activities so that they may be further investigated and appropriate actions taken.</p>
<p>Last month, FNS announced <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000613">federal-state partnerships</a> with Maryland, Virginia, Washington and Ohio to target recipient fraud as part of its <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000313">SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project</a>. Under the partnership, FNS utilizes its experience in monitoring retailer fraud through an unprecedented data-sharing agreement with its state partners to improve recipient fraud detection capabilities in order to help states better focus their resources to identify and promptly investigate suspicious activity.  </p>
<p>SNAP – the nation's first line of defense against hunger – helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. The largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, it has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 47 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children, nine percent are over 60 and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>Today’s announcements are part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste designed to fight fraud, abuse and misuse in federal programs. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud, visit the Stop SNAP fraud website at <a href="/program-integrity">www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity</a>.<br /><strong>Related News:</strong></p>
<p><a href="/sites/default/files/snap/2012-state-activity.pdf">SNAP Retailer Policy and Management Division 2012 Annual Report</a>  (Released May 14, 2013)</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/program-integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Program Integrity</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/program-integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Program Integrity</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 14 May 2013 15:23:52 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"3274 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:129;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:101:"USDA Expands Support for Farmers Markets to Accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000813";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6156:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Will offer more retail opportunities for SNAP recipients to access fresh, healthy food</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0008.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-04-29T00:00:00-04:00">04/29/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 29, 2013 – Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced expanded eligibility for USDA grants to improve access to fresh produce and healthy foods by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients at America’s farmers’ markets.</p>
<p>As a result of funding provided by Congress through the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012, USDA last year <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/014912">announced the availability of $4 million in funding</a> to expand the availability of wireless point-of-sale equipment in farmers markets not currently accepting SNAP benefits. Today’s action expands eligibility for grant funds to include direct marketing farmers, as well as farmers markets. Funds may be used to purchase or lease equipment or pay for wireless access. Funds are available to States through September 30, 2013. </p>
<p>“These grants increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to SNAP customers and further encourage them to purchase and prepare healthy foods for their families using SNAP benefits,” said Concannon. “In general, research shows that about 20 cents of every SNAP dollar spent on food ends up in the pocket of American farmers. Installing wireless technology at farmers markets expands the customer base for markets and increases the share of the SNAP dollar that goes directly back to local farmers and into local economies.”</p>
<p>USDA has made expanding SNAP recipients’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables through farmers markets a priority in recent years. In 2008, about 750 farmers markets and direct marketing farmers accepted SNAP. In 2012, over 3,200 participated – a four-fold increase in markets, which was accompanied by a six-fold increase in redemptions at these outlets.</p>
<p>Along with other criteria, a farmers market is defined as a multi-stall market at which <b>farmer-producers </b>sell agricultural products, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables (but also meat products, dairy products, and/or grains), directly to the general public at a central or fixed location. Direct marketing farmers are individual <b>producers</b> of agricultural products. In order to qualify for the funding announced today, the direct marketing farmer must sell products at a market stall within a farmers market that is not currently participating in SNAP.</p>
<p>Research shows that many farmers markets and direct marketing farmers value their ability to accept SNAP as a means to attract a wider customer base and increase sales.  At the same time, a significant number cited the cost of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) equipment as a barrier to accepting SNAP. These findings and others are part of USDA’s <a href="/nutrition-assistance-farmers-markets-understanding-current-operations">Nutrition Assistance at Farmers Markets: Understanding Current Operations</a> report released last week.  Today’s announcement helps to address this barrier by supporting farmers markets and direct marketing farmers in obtaining and operating EBT technology.</p>
<p>To find out more about available farmers market equipment funding or to learn more about accepting SNAP benefits at your farmers market, contact your SNAP State agency or visit <a href="/ebt/learn-about-snap-benefits-farmers-markets">http://www.fns.usda.gov/ebt/learn-about-snap-benefits-farmers-markets</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year.  These programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p><strong>Additional information:</strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="/ebt/snap-and-farmers-markets">Farmers’ Market Equipment Funds: A Funding Opportunity for Certain Farmers’ Markets and Direct Marketing Farmers</a></li>
</ul><p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/farmers-markets" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Farmers Markets</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ebt-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">ebt</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:43:15 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"2634 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:130;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:82:"Agriculture Secretary Joins Nutrition Partners to Launch Childhood Hunger Campaign";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/dhtest";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4617:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">DH_Test</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-04-24T00:00:00-04:00">04/24/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p align="left"><img alt="test picture" src="//fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/images/arra-map.gif" style="width: 62px; height: 38px; margin: 10px; float: left;" />WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2011 – USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced awards to help four states improve enrollment in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs through a process called direct certification. Direct certification requires states and local educational agencies to automatically enroll students from households already participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, without an additional application from the child’s family to assist low-income households with children eligible for free meals at school.</p>
<p align="left">“Direct certification helps ensure that<a href="#one"> every</a> eligible child has access to the healthy nutrition provided by USDA’s school meals programs,” said Concannon. “Today’s awards will assist states in implementing their plans to streamline the certification process so that children can get access to the <a href="http://yahoo.com">nutrition they need to learn and thrive</a>, while decreasing administrative errors and waste.”</p>
<p align="left">Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania were chosen to receive the grants totaling about $2.2 million, provided by the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Act of 2010. The grants are intended to help states improve direct certification rates for children in households receiving SNAP benefits.</p>
<p align="left"><a name="one" id="one">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) expects to award additional grants to states meeting eligibility requirements each quarter over the next year. Twenty Direct Certification Grants totaling more than $6 million have been made to 16 states since January, including the grants announced today.</a></p>
<p align="left">Championed by First Lady Michelle Obama as part of her Let’s Move! initiative, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 marked a great win for the nearly 32 million school children that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs each school day. USDA is working to implement historic reforms that will mark the most comprehensive change to food in schools in more than a generation. USDA’s efforts to improve and enhance the school food environment include: updated school meals nutrition standards to increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; science-based standards for all foods and beverages sold on the school campus; performance-based funding increases for schools – the first real increase in 30 years; and training and technical assistance to help schools meet improved standards.</p>
<p align="left">FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
<p align="left">For more information about the Direct Certification Grants, visit: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm" target="_blank">http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm</a></p>
<p align="left"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:51:34 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"2506 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:131;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:109:"New Research Shows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Supports Healthy Diet Choices among Participants";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000713";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6016:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0007.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-04-24T00:00:00-04:00">04/24/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 24, 2013 – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increases the likelihood that recipients will eat whole fruit, and leads to a modest decrease in the consumption of dark green and orange vegetables. Overall, the diets of participants and low-income non-participants are similar, according to <em>Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation Leads to Modest Changes in Diet Quality </em> <em>, </em>a report released today by USDA’s Economic Research Service.</p>
<p>Program participants were 23 percentage points more likely to consume whole fruit when they receive SNAP benefits than when they do not. The study’s finding on SNAP participants’ modest declines in consumption of dark green and orange vegetables may be related to time constraints of the working poor, and the preparation time required to consume those foods. While the study found that the diets of SNAP participants are similar overall to those of low-income non-participants, it found that the participants are more likely to consume less sodium and saturated fat.</p>
<p>“All Americans, SNAP participants and non-participants alike, have work to do when it comes to eating a healthy diet,” said Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. “The results of this study reinforce the critical role of USDA programs designed to increase access to healthy foods and nutrition education among low-income children and families to help make the healthy choice, an easy choice.”</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving nutrition and empowering low-income families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food through its nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<ul><li>USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u>10-Tips Nutrition Series</u></a> and the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodplanscostoffood.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u>Thrifty Food Plan</u></a>.</li>
<li>USDA is making fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for low-income families. More than 3,200 farmers markets and farm stands are now authorized to accept payment through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an increase of nearly 100 percent since 2010.</li>
<li>USDA recently <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000513"><u>expanded the scope of SNAP-Ed</u></a> to include targeted nutrition education and obesity prevention activities for SNAP recipients and other low-income individuals.</li>
<li>USDA is conducting pilot projects to identify effective strategies for encouraging healthy food consumption among SNAP recipients.</li>
<li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u>ChooseMyPlate.gov</u></a> provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities.</li>
<li>USDA also created <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/supertracker.html" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u>SuperTracker</u></a>, a free online planning and tracking tool used by over two million Americans daily to help them improve food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and track physical activity.</li>
</ul><p>Improving the diets of participants is a key focus of USDA’s 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year.  Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/supertracker" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Supertracker</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/choosemyplate-diet-quality" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">ChooseMyPlate; Diet Quality</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/farmers-market-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">farmers market</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:22:25 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"2514 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:132;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:141:"Agriculture Secretary Visits San Diego Summer Meals Site; Calls on Communities to Help Ensure Children Have Access to Healthy Food Year Round";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/007313";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8675:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0073.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-04-18T00:00:00-04:00">04/18/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>SAN DIEGO, April 18, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted the problem of increased childhood hunger during months when school is not in session. At an event at Colina Del Sol Recreation Center, he called on communities across the country to partner with USDA's Summer Food Service Program to ensure that no child goes hungry when school is out. Vilsack reiterated the vital role of partners in reaching eligible children and their families and challenged them to help USDA serve 5 million more meals this summer.</p>
<p>"When school lets out, millions of low-income children no longer get a healthy breakfast or lunch, but USDA's summer meals program helps to fill that gap and is an invaluable investment in the future of America's children," said Vilsack. "Poor nutrition during the summer months can have a negative impact on a child's health, as well as their academic performance during the school year. Communities across the nation can work with us to ensure that all children have access to healthy foods, all year long."</p>
<p>In order to reach more eligible children, USDA is working with local governments, faith and community groups, and various partners to fill the summer meals gap. USDA is providing intensive technical assistance to expand the reach of the program in California, as well as four other states (Arkansas, Colorado, Rhode Island and Virginia) due to high levels of rural or urban food insecurity and historically low program participation rates.</p>
<p>Vilsack applauded the work of the Colina Del Sol Recreation Center, which partners with the San Diego Unified School District to provide meals to children in need during the summer, as well as throughout the intersession periods for year-round schools.</p>
<p>USDA's summer meals programs operate through partnerships between USDA, state agencies and local organizations. Local sponsors, such as schools, local government agencies, faith-based and nonprofit community organizations, and residential and non-residential camps provide free meals and activities to eligible low-income children during the summer months. In 2012, USDA's partners served 144 million summer meals at 38,800 sites, feeding approximately 2.3 million children on a typical summer day. For more information on becoming a SFSP sponsor or site, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/</font></u></a>. To find a site in your community, call 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-Hambre.</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<ul><li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</font></u></a>.</li>
<li>USDA is making fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for low-income families. More than 3,200 farmers markets and farm stands are now authorized to accept payment through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an increase of nearly 100 percent since 2010.</li>
<li>USDA's <i>MyPlate</i> symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">ChooseMyPlate.gov</font></u></a> provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities.</li>
<li>USDA also created <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/supertracker.html" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">SuperTracker</font></u></a>, a free online planning and tracking tool used by over two million Americans daily to help them improve food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and track physical activity.</li>
<li>USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">10-Tips Nutrition Series</font></u></a> and the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodplanscostoffood.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">Thrifty Food Plan</font></u></a>.</li>
<li>Through USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER"><u><font color="#0000ff">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food</font></u></a> initiative, the Department has worked to increase access to nutritious food through the development of strong local and regional food systems. The number of farmers markets increased by more than 67 percent in the last four years and there are now more than 220 regional food hubs in operation around the country.</li>
<li>USDA launched a new $5 million <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/F2S/Default.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">Farm to School</font></u></a> grant program in 2012 to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools.</li>
</ul><p>USDA continues working with First Lady Michelle Obama on the <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><u><font color="#0000ff">Let's Move!</font></u></a> initiative, which is helping to promote healthy eating and physical activity while supporting the health of American families. Through the combined efforts of USDA and its partners, the United States is beginning to see progress and improvements in the health of our Nation's children.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/thrifty-food-plan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Thrifty Food Plan</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/know-your-farmer-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">know your farmer</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/know-your-food-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">know your food</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/farm-school" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">farm to school</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/choose-my-plate" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Choose My Plate</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:16:07 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"2375 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:133;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:114:"USDA Calls on Communities to Help Fill the Summer Meal Gap; Ensure Children Have Access to Healthy Food Year Round";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/006813";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9361:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0068.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact: USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-04-12T00:00:00-04:00">04/12/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 12, 2013 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today called on communities across the country to partner with USDA's summer meals program to ensure that no child goes hungry when school is out. During a roundtable with Josh Wachs, Chief Strategy Officer for <a href="http://www.nokidhungry.org/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Share Our Strength</a>, Kathy Underhill, Executive Director of <a href="http://www.hungerfreecolorado.org/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Hunger Free Colorado</a>, and Harriett Phillips, Liaison to the <a href="http://ar.nokidhungry.org/" target="extWindow" title="External link or third-party site, opens in new window.">Arkansas No Kid Hungry Campaign</a> for Governor Mike Beebe. Vilsack reiterated the vital role of partners in reaching eligible children and their families and challenged them to help USDA serve 5 million more meals this summer.</p>
<p>"Children need healthy food all year long to grow and achieve to their highest ambitions. We know that when school lets out, millions of low-income children no longer get a healthy breakfast or lunch. USDA's summer meals program helps to fill that gap and is an invaluable investment in the future of America's children," said Vilsack. "Today, I challenge our partners and communities across the nation to work with us to ensure that all children have access to healthy food during the summer months."</p>
<p>In order to reach more eligible children, USDA is providing intensive technical assistance to expand the reach of the program in five states with high levels of rural or urban food insecurity or historically low program participation rates, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Rhode Island and Virginia. Arkansas, Colorado and Virginia are also states targeted by USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE">StrikeForce</a>, an initiative designed to improve the quality of life and boost economic growth in high poverty rural areas.</p>
<p>"Poor nutrition during summer months sets up a cycle of poor performance once school begins again and makes children – especially those who experience poverty or food insecurity – more prone to illness and other health issues," said Vilsack. "I am proud to say that our Nation's communities are working hard to make sure every child has the food they need all year long."</p>
<p>USDA's summer meals programs operate through partnerships between USDA, state agencies and local organizations. Local sponsors, such as schools, local government agencies, faith-based and nonprofit community organizations, and residential and non-residential camps provide free meals and activities to eligible low-income children during the summer months. In 2012, USDA's partners served 144 million summer meals at 38,800 sites, feeding approximately 2.3 million children on a typical summer day. For more information on becoming a SFSP sponsor or site, visit <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp</a>. To find a site in your community, call 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-Hambre.</p>
<p>USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<ul><li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="/school-meals/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>.</li>
<li>USDA is making fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for low-income families. More than 3,200 farmers markets and farm stands are now authorized to accept payment through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an increase of nearly 100 percent since 2010.</li>
<li>USDA's <i>MyPlate</i> symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities.</li>
<li>USDA also created <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/supertracker.html" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">SuperTracker</a>, a free online planning and tracking tool used by over two million Americans daily to help them improve food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and track physical activity.</li>
<li>USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">10-Tips Nutrition Series</a> and the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodplanscostoffood.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Thrifty Food Plan</a>.</li>
<li>Through USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food</a> initiative, the Department has worked to increase access to nutritious food through the development of strong local and regional food systems. The number of farmers markets increased by more than 67 percent in the last four years and there are now more than 220 regional food hubs in operation around the country.</li>
<li>USDA launched a new $5 million <a href="/farmtoschool/farm-school" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School</a> grant program in 2012 to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools.</li>
</ul><p>USDA continues working with First Lady Michelle Obama on the <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Let's Move!</a> initiative, which is helping to promote healthy eating and physical activity while supporting the health of American families. Through the combined efforts of USDA and its partners, the United States is beginning to see progress and improvements in the health of our Nation's children.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>#</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/strikeforce" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Strikeforce</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/know-your-farmer-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">know your farmer</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/choose-myplate" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Choose Myplate</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/thrifty-food-plan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Thrifty Food Plan</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/supertracker" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Supertracker</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/farm-school" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">farm to school</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/279" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Demonstrations</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:16:03 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"2347 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:134;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:140:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Outlines USDA Efforts to Raise a Healthier Generation of Americans; Highlights Efforts to Improve School Meals";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/006313";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7509:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0063.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact:  USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-04-05T00:00:00-04:00">04/05/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WEST HARTFORD, Conn., April 5, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today discussed USDA efforts to improve school meals and outlined the need for a renewed commitment to improve childhood nutrition, which will lead to a healthier generation of Americans.</p>
<p>In remarks at Henry A. Wolcott Elementary School, Vilsack noted that America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>. The new standards ensure that the 32 million students who participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program have access to meals that contain fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and are limited in fat, sodium and sugar.</p>
<p>"For many kids, including 300,000 children who eat school lunch here in Connecticut, healthy meals at school are vital to growing up healthy and strong," said Vilsack. "When children are given the tools they need to make healthy food choices it sets them up to do better in school, while creating generational change that will lead to a healthier Nation."</p>
<p>Secretary Vilsack noted the twin threats of childhood obesity and malnutrition to a healthier next generation. Over the course of the past 30 years, the prevalence of childhood obesity has nearly tripled. Nearly one in three American children and adolescents today are overweight or obese. Some of those children come from low-income families, where access to healthy food choices and opportunities for physical activity can be limited. Nearly a third of our nation's young people are at risk for preventable diseases like type-2 diabetes and heart disease. Preventable diseases have serious consequences - which is why health experts tell us that our current generation of children may well have a shorter lifespan than their parents.</p>
<p>Vilsack said that USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food.</p>
<ul><li>USDA recently issued a proposed rule to improve the health of snacks sold in schools. The public is invited to comment at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FNS-2011-0019-0001" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">regulations.gov</a> through Tuesday, April 9, 2013.</li>
<li>USDA's <i>MyPlate</i> symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities.</li>
<li>USDA also created <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/supertracker.html" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><i>SuperTracker</i></a>, a free online planning and tracking tool used by over two million Americans daily to help them improve food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and track physical activity.</li>
<li>USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">10-Tips Nutrition Series</a> and the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodplanscostoffood.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Thrifty Food Plan</a>.</li>
<li>Through USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER"><i>Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food</i></a> initiative, the Department has worked to increase access to nutritious food through the development of strong local and regional food systems. The number of farmers markets increased by more than 67 percent in the last four years and there are now more than 220 regional food hubs in operation around the country.</li>
<li>USDA launched a new $5 million <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/F2S/Default.htm" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">Farm to School</a> grant program in 2012 to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools. This includes a $98,000 Farm to School grant in Connecticut.</li>
</ul><p>Vilsack noted that USDA continues working with First Lady Michelle Obama on the <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window."><i>Let's Move!</i></a> initiative, which is helping to promote healthy eating and physical activity while supporting the health of American families. Through the combined efforts of USDA and its partners, the United States is beginning to see progress and improvements in the health of our Nation's children.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/thrifty-food-plan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Thrifty Food Plan</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/know-your-farmer-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">know your farmer</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/supertracker" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Supertracker</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/choose-myplate" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Choose Myplate</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:28:00 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"2349 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:135;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:87:"USDA Partners with More States to Boost Program Integrity; Protect Taxpayer Investment ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000613";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7275:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Data-Sharing Agreements Critical Part of SNAP Stewardship Solutions project</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0006.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-04-03T00:00:00-04:00">04/03/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 3, 2013 – Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced Washington and Ohio have joined a new federal-state partnership targeting recipient fraud in the <a href="/snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP) as part of its SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project. Under the partnership, USDA shares its experience in monitoring retailer fraud with states to help them more aggressively target suspicious activity and improve tactics to catch recipients that attempt to commit SNAP fraud. Today’s announcement involves the signing of<a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000313"> data-sharing agreements</a> between USDA and the states of Washington and Ohio, similar to the first-ever data-sharing agreements USDA signed with Maryland and Virginia earlier this month.</p>
<p>“USDA has a strong history of identifying and pursuing SNAP retailer fraud through our data mining efforts,” said Concannon. “By working together with states and sharing state-of-the art tools to prevent fraud on the recipient side, we’re better positioned to safeguard the taxpayer investment in this critical nutrition program.”</p>
<p>USDA will use data collected under these and other information-sharing agreements to develop an enhanced monitoring tool for states similar to USDA’s state-of-the-art Anti-fraud Locator using EBT Retailer Transactions (ALERT) system. USDA uses its ALERT system to closely monitor the seven million electronic retailer transactions that happen daily. ALERT helps USDA identify suspicious stores for analysis and investigation, better target high risk areas, and quickly implement fraud detection scans as new schemes are identified.</p>
<p>In addition to sharing recipient data, Washington and Ohio offer other information collection opportunities. In Washington, state officials currently use data mining to analyze electronic transaction data and identify potential cases of recipient fraud. By collecting data from Washington, USDA will be able to help Washington and states with similar systems already in place use data analytics to better prioritize fraud investigations and measure the success of anti-fraud measures. In Ohio, SNAP is administered at the county level. USDA will gather best practices on leveraging relationships with local human services agencies and disseminate that information to help other states foster strong relationships to translate how to effectively use data analytics to combat recipient fraud through state-county partnerships.</p>
<p>Over the past several years, USDA has taken steps to improve SNAP oversight through the SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project, including requiring more frequent reviews of higher risk retailers, expanding the definition of fraud to crack down on newer methods of SNAP benefit abuse, and data-sharing agreements to help catch recipients that attempt to commit SNAP fraud. In the coming months, USDA will announce additional steps to prohibit SNAP trafficking. Trafficking – an illegal activity – is the exchange of SNAP benefits for cash. USDA has seen a steady decline in the rate of trafficking from four percent down to about one percent of benefits over the last 15 years. While fraud is rare in SNAP, no amount is acceptable, and it will not be tolerated. USDA continues to crack down on individuals who violate the program and misuse taxpayer dollars.</p>
<p>SNAP, the nation's first line of defense against hunger, helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. The largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, it has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 47 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>The SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project is part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste, an initiative/effort to fight fraud, abuse and misuse in Federal programs. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud, visit the Stop SNAP fraud website at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud.htm">www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Related News:</strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000313">First-Ever Data-Sharing Agreements with States are Latest Effort in “SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project”</a></li>
<li><a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000213">USDA Announces Additional Steps to Reduce Fraud and Misuse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a></li>
<li><a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000113">Measures Help Fight Retailer Misuse, Preserve Taxpayer Investment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a></li>
</ul><p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/alert" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">ALERT</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ebt-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">ebt</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/fraud" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Fraud</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:08:26 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"2065 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:136;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:54:"USDA Study: School Kids Eating More Fruits, Vegetables";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000413";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5730:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Helps Boost Consumption at Low-Income Elementary Schools
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0004.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-03-28T00:00:00-04:00">03/28/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 28, 2013 -- Students at elementary schools participating in USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program consumed 15 percent more fruits and vegetables, based on an agriculture department study released today.</p>
<p>The study conducted by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service found that fruit and vegetable consumption increased by a third of a cup among students participating in the program, compared to non-participating students. Increased consumption of fruit accounted for most of the change. The increase in fruit and vegetable consumption through the program doesn’t appear to substantially increase calories in children’s diets.</p>
<p>“These results are very encouraging,” Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon said. “The Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program is clearly an excellent way to introduce students to more fruits and vegetables.”</p>
<p>Almost all students tried the fruit and vegetable snacks (97% and 84% of students, respectively); and a substantial majority ate most or all of snacks provided (86% and 61%, respectively), he said. The report describes findings from the evaluation conducted during the 2010–2011 school year.</p>
<p>The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is popular among schools, students and parents, and effective in increasing children’s fruit and vegetable consumption.</p>
<p>Begun as a pilot in 2002, the program aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students in the nation’s poorest elementary schools by providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to students outside of regular school meals. The pilot was converted into a nationwide program in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, also known as the Farm Bill.</p>
<p>The Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program is part of a package of USDA programs and initiatives designed to combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children, a top priority for the Obama Administration.</p>
<p>USDA recently <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/001913">announced proposed new standards</a> to ensure that children K-12 have access to healthy food options. The “<a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FNS-2011-0019-0001">Smart Snacks in School</a>” proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on Feb. 8, 2013, is the first step in the process to create national standards mandated by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.</p>
<p>The new proposed standards draw on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, existing voluntary standards already implemented by thousands of schools around the country, and healthy food and beverage offerings already available in the marketplace.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America's nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
<p>Find out more about the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp">Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program</a> and the <a href="/sites/default/files/FFVP.pdf">report</a> and a <a href="/sites/default/files/FFVP_Summary.pdf">summary </a>released today.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/smart-snacks-school" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Smart Snacks in School;</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:54:49 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"1834 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:137;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:94:"SNAP Nutrition Education Grants Program Streamlined, Will Focus on Critical Problem of Obesity";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000513";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4829:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0005.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-03-28T00:00:00-04:00">03/28/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 28, 2013 – The USDA today announced the implementation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program nutrition education (SNAP-Ed) provisions of the <a href="/school-meals/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>. The changes will add a renewed focus on the critical problem of obesity by expanding the scope of existing nutrition education efforts. These changes are designed to increase the likelihood that low-income people will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles.</p>
<p>“Nothing could be more critical to the future of our nation than making sure families have the information they need to make informed decisions about their health,” said Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon.</p>
<p>The new rule provides States with the flexibility to support targeted nutrition education and obesity prevention activities based on the Federal <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a> according to the needs of SNAP recipients and other low-income individuals in their state. Examples of activities allowed under this rule include:</p>
<ul><li>Establishing community gardens in low-income areas such as public housing sites, eligible schools, and qualifying community sites;</li>
<li>Bringing farmers’ markets to low-income areas;</li>
<li>Developing policies for increasing access to healthy food in low-income areas; and</li>
<li>Educating SNAP retailers on how to stock healthier food options.</li>
</ul><p>Nutrition education and obesity prevention services can be delivered through multiple venues and involve activities at the individual, community, and appropriate policy levels. USDA encourages state agencies to collaborate with other publicly or privately funded national, state, and local nutrition education and health promotion initiatives and interventions.</p>
<p>Being released next week as an interim final rule, the new rule provides immediate guidance to States but streamlines the rulemaking process by allowing for later adjustments, based on public comment.  The public is encouraged to review the interim final rule and to provide comments and information for consideration by USDA. The text of the rule is available at <a href="/sites/default/files/SNAP-Ed_Interim_Rule.pdf">SNAP-Ed_Interim_Rule.pdf</a>. Once the rule is published in the Federal Register, which is expected next week, the public will be able to provide feedback through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. USDA will seek public comment on the rule for 60 days.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year.  These programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:00:56 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"1838 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:138;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:166:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Outlines USDA Efforts to Raise a Healthier Generation of Americans; Highlights Efforts to Increase Access to Affordable and Healthy Food";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/005613";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8366:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">National Nutrition Month Provides Opportunity to Focus National Conversation on Nutrition</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0056.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact:  USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-03-28T00:00:00-04:00">03/28/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota, March 28, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today discussed USDA efforts to improve access to healthy foods, and outlined the need for a renewed commitment to improve childhood nutrition, which includes empowering parents to provide healthy meals for their families. In remarks at a Hy-Vee, Inc. grocery store, Secretary Vilsack noted that increasing access to healthy foods is one of USDA's top priorities.</p>
<p>"We must help families provide our children with healthy foods that are full of the nutrients they need," said Vilsack. "Research shows that healthy foods aren't always more expensive than less healthy options. Expanding access to affordable, healthy options and providing more information for parents will help create a generational shift to reverse the obesity crisis and protect the health of our youngest Americans."</p>
<p>Secretary Vilsack made two announcements today, highlighting programs in USDA's Food and Nutrition Service designed to increase access and empower families to provide healthy foods. In the first, he announced that a pilot program initiated by the USDA to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students in the nation's poorest elementary schools resulted in 15 percent higher consumption among students in the program. The <a href="/ffvp">Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program</a> is part of USDA's focus on improving consumer access to healthy food, which can help our nation combat obesity and malnutrition – raising a healthier generation of young people.</p>
<p>The program, which is popular among schools, students and parents, began as a pilot in 2002 to examine the effects of providing free, fresh fruits and vegetables to students outside of regular school meals. The report released today demonstrates that when children are provided healthy fruits and vegetables as snacks, they were not only willing to try them, but the majority finished them.</p>
<p>Secretary Vilsack also announced the launch of the <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000513">SNAP: Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program</a>. This program expands the scope of the existing SNAP education program by providing states with additional flexibility to support targeted nutrition education and obesity prevention activities according to the needs of SNAP recipients and low-income families in their state. Under this new program, states could use the funding for a variety of activities including bringing famers markets to low income areas, developing policies for addressing food deserts in low-income areas, or educating SNAP retailers on how to stock healthier food options.</p>
<p>"Expanding access to nutritious food will not only empower American families to serve healthy meals to their children, but it will also help expand the demand of agricultural products," said Vilsack. "These efforts will help open new markets for famers to sell their products, create jobs, and help revitalize distressed communities."</p>
<p>American agriculture provides our nation with the tools we need to increase the availability, affordability and variety of nutritious food. More than 80 percent of our food supply comes from American agriculture, and American families pay less for their food at the grocery store than the people of any developed nation.</p>
<p>Research by USDA's Economic Research Service has found that <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib-economic-information-bulletin/eib96.aspx#.UUyEuhfFV8F">healthy foods are often no more expensive than less-nutritious foods</a>. Still, there are millions of American families who lack access to healthy foods due to economic or geographical barriers. Vilsack said that USDA empowers Americans to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding access to healthy food availability:</p>
<ul><li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="/school-meals/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>.</li>
<li>USDA is making fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for low-income families. More than 3,200 farmers markets and farm stands are now authorized to accept payment through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an increase of nearly 100 percent since 2010.</li>
<li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy tips for parents trying to <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ten-tips-eating-better-on-a-budget">feed their families on a budget</a>. USDA provides tips to help parents <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/03/28/healthy-eating-on-a-budget/">Plan, Compare and Prepare</a> meals that are both nutritious and budget friendly.</li>
<li>USDA's <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER">Know your Famer, Know Your Food </a>initiative contributes to healthy food access through the development of strong local and regional food systems. Innovative approaches such as mobile farmers markets, late-season vegetable production in high tunnels, and regional food hubs are making fresh, local food more available to communities in need. The number of farmers markets increased by more than 67 percent in the last four years and there are now more than 220 regional food hubs in operation around the country.</li>
<li>USDA launched a new $5 million Farm to School grant program in 2012 to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools. In its first year, the grants are supporting 68 projects serving nearly 2 million students.</li>
<li>USDA developed the Food Access Research Atlas to enable researchers, city planners, non-profit organizations and policy makers to identify areas where the availability of grocery stores and transportation create geographical barriers to accessing healthy food.</li>
</ul><p>More information about eating healthy on a budget is available in a blog post released today: <a href="http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/03/28/healthy-eating-on-a-budget/">Healthy Eating on a Budget</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:57:02 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"1855 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:139;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:120:"USDA Announces New Partnership with States to Strengthen Integrity of Nation’s Most Vital Nutrition Assistance Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000313";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7023:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">First-Ever Data-Sharing Agreements with States are Latest Effort in “SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project”</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0003.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-03-20T00:00:00-04:00">03/20/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 20, 2013 – Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced a new federal-state partnership targeting recipient fraud in the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP). USDA will share its extensive experience in monitoring retailer fraud to help states develop a more robust set of tools to identify suspicious activity and improve tactics to catch recipients that attempt to commit SNAP fraud. By law, USDA is responsible for overseeing the more than <a href="http://www.snapretailerlocator.com/">250,000 retailers</a> that redeem SNAP benefits nationwide, while states are responsible for identifying and pursuing fraudulent activity by recipients.</p>
<p>“USDA is signaling a new front in our ongoing efforts to stop SNAP trafficking,” Concannon said.  “Despite the low rate, fraud at any level is not tolerated. We are committed to working with states to make improvements that keep us ahead of the curve and provide Americans with the excellence they deserve when it comes to wisely managing their investment in SNAP.”</p>
<p>Today’s announcement involves the signing of data-sharing Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between USDA and the states of Maryland and Virginia. USDA will use data collected under these unprecedented MOUs and other information-sharing agreements to develop an enhanced monitoring tool for states similar to USDA’s state-of-the-art Anti-fraud Locator using EBT Retailer Transactions (ALERT) system. USDA uses its ALERT system to closely monitor the 2.5 million electronic retailer transactions that happen daily. ALERT helps USDA identify suspicious stores for analysis and investigation, better target high risk areas, and quickly implement fraud detection scans as new schemes are identified.</p>
<p>“We have a lot of experience in identifying and pursuing retailer fraud through data mining, which we can use to help arm states with sharper tools to ensure integrity on the recipient side,” added Concannon. “These MOUs are just the latest in what we call our <em>SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project</em>—our ongoing work to ensure SNAP integrity.”</p>
<p>Over the past several years, USDA has taken steps to improve SNAP oversight through the <em>SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project</em>, including requiring more frequent reviews of higher risk retailers and expanding the definition of fraud to crack down on newer methods of SNAP benefit abuse. In the coming months, USDA will announce a series of additional steps to strengthen regulations that prohibit SNAP trafficking. Trafficking, an illegal activity, is the exchange of SNAP benefits for cash.  USDA has seen a steady decline in the rate of trafficking from four percent down to about one percent of benefits over the last 15 years. While fraud is rare in SNAP, no amount is acceptable, and it will not be tolerated. USDA continues to crack down on individuals who violate the program and misuse taxpayer dollars.</p>
<p>SNAP – the nation's first line of defense against hunger – helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. The largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, it has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 47 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>The <em>SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project</em> is part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste, an initiative/effort to fight fraud, abuse and misuse in Federal programs. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud, visit the Stop SNAP fraud website at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud.htm">www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Related News:</strong></p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000213">USDA Announces Additional Steps to Reduce Fraud and Misuse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000113">Measures Help Fight Retailer Misuse, Preserve Taxpayer Investment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a><br /> </li>
</ul><p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/retailer-fraud" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Retailer Fraud</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mou" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">MOU</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/snap-stewardship-solutions-project" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">SNAP Stewardship Solutions Project</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/fraud" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Fraud</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:06:46 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"1259 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:140;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:134:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Outlines USDA Efforts to Raise a Healthier Generation of Americans; Affirms Need for Generational Change";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/004613";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7818:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">National Nutrition Month Provides Opportunity to Focus National Conversation on Childhood Nutrition</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0046.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-03-14T00:00:00-04:00">03/14/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>PORTLAND, Maine, March 14, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today outlined the need for a generational commitment to improve childhood nutrition, which will lead to a healthier generation of Americans. While health and nutrition are complex topics, Vilsack noted USDA has made significant focus on improving consumers' access to information and helping consumers have better access to food, which together will ensure progress as the nation battles both childhood obesity and malnutrition. Vilsack made his remarks at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at the Maine Medical Center where he was joined by Portland Mayor Michael Brennan, and representatives from the medical, nutrition, public health, education, military, and business communities.</p>
<p>"We must continue to take action today to ensure that today's young people grow up healthy and strong, or we will see more challenges – everything from soaring health care costs to diminished national security and decreased business competitiveness," said Vilsack. "Improving the nutrition of our young people has tremendous implications for our country's future."</p>
<p>Over the course of the past 30 years, the prevalence of childhood obesity nearly tripled. Nearly one in three American children and adolescents today are overweight or obese. Some of those children come from low-income families, where access to healthy food choices and opportunities for physical activity can be limited. Nearly a third of our nation's young people are at risk for preventable diseases like type-2 diabetes and heart disease. Preventable diseases have serious consequences – which is why health experts tell us that our current generation of children may well have a shorter lifespan than their parents.</p>
<p>Vilsack said that USDA empowers Americans to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice:</p>
<ul><li>USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/">ChooseMyPlate.gov</a> provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities. The resources are based on scientific information included in the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm">2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a>.</li>
<li>USDA created <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertracker-tools/supertracker.html">SuperTracker</a>, a free online planning and tracking tool used by over two million Americans to help them improve food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and track physical activity.</li>
<li>USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html">10-Tips Nutrition Series</a> and the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/usdafoodplanscostoffood.htm">Thrifty Food Plan</a>.</li>
<li>USDA education programs target these materials to recipients of food assistance programs to ensure they are well-informed and able to make healthy choices.</li>
</ul><p>Vilsack also noted that American agriculture provides our nation with the tools we need to increase the availability, affordability and variety of nutritious food. American agriculture provides more than 80 percent of our food supply here at home, and U.S. families allocate a smaller percentage of their salary for food prepared at home than the people of any developed nation. He outlined USDA's efforts to help families provide the nutrition children need, by taking steps to increase access to healthy foods:</p>
<ul><li>America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>.</li>
<li>Through the Know Your Famer, Know Your Food initiative, USDA has worked to increase access to nutritious food through the development of strong local and regional food systems. The number of farmers markets increased by more than 67 percent in the last four years and there are now more than 220 regional food hubs in operation around the country.</li>
<li>USDA is making fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for low-income families. More than 3,200 farmers markets and farm stands are now authorized to accept payment through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an increase of nearly 100 percent since 2010.</li>
<li>USDA launched a new $5 million Farm to School grant program in 2012 to increase the amount of healthy, local food in schools. In its first year, the grants are supporting 68 projects serving nearly 2 million students.</li>
</ul><p>Vilsack noted that USDA continues working with First Lady Michelle Obama on the Let's Move! initiative, which is helping to promote healthy eating and physical activity while empowering Americans to combat childhood obesity. Through the combined efforts of USDA and its partners, the United States is beginning to see progress and improvements in the health of our Nation's children.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). </em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/agriculture-secretary-vilsack-outlines-usda-efforts-raise-healthier-generation-americans" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Outlines USDA Efforts to Raise a Healthier Generation of Americans; Affirms Need for Generational Change</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:51:00 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"1111 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:141;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:65:"USDA Kicks Off National Nutrition Month by Highlighting Breakfast";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/004013";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6862:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">School Breakfast Week, International School Meals Day and Childhood Nutrition to be Celebrated Throughout March</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0040.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-03-04T00:00:00-05:00">03/04/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 4, 2013 — Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off an exciting National Nutrition Month by marking the start of <a href="http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/features-month/march/national-school-breakfast-week">National School Breakfast Week</a> (March 4-8), a time that highlights the importance of promoting healthy choices for our nation's children throughout the school day.</p>
<p>"Making sure that children get the best start to their day is part of our commitment to providing all of our children access to safe, nutritious, and well-balanced meals," said Secretary Vilsack. "Eating breakfast helps maintain a healthy weight and gives our youngest generation the greatest chance at success."</p>
<p>Every year, USDA partners with the School Nutrition Association to celebrate National School Breakfast Week. This year's theme is "Be a Star with School Breakfast," highlighting how eating a balanced breakfast at school can help students to shine. The USDA's School Breakfast Program provides a nutritious start to each school day for nearly 13 million children in over 91,000 schools and residential child care institutions. It offers school children of all economic backgrounds a well-balanced, healthy meal consistent with the latest nutrition science and dietary guidelines.</p>
<p>"Research shows that children learn better after a healthy breakfast," said Kevin Concannon, undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services. "Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, we have an historic opportunity, which schools are embracing throughout the country, to make the healthy choice also the easy choice for children at school, from morning to afternoon."</p>
<p>Updated breakfast meal patterns, part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, begin to take effect in the coming school year, and will be phased in over three years. The new meal patterns support the 2010 Dietary Guidelines and are based on scientific recommendations from the Institute of Medicine.</p>
<p>"National Nutrition Month is a timely reminder to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy at breakfast and at every meal, each day," Concannon said.</p>
<p>This week, USDA will also participate in the inaugural celebration of <a href="http://www.internationalschoolmealsday.com/">International School Meals Day</a> (ISMD) on March 8, 2013. The concept for ISMD emerged from a recent collaboration between USDA and our counterparts in the United Kingdom, during which we engaged in an exchange of ideas, implementation strategies, and best practices in the area of food and nutrition policy. ISMD represents an opportunity to continue that beneficial exchange of policies, practices, and research, while raising awareness of the important role that nutrition education plays in child development. ISMD will also engage children around the world in classroom-level discussions of healthy eating habits in school and at home.</p>
<p>Schools selected to take part in this year's activities will focus on topics related to the school nutrition environment, such as the menu choices available in the cafeteria, classroom instruction on nutrition education, or growing and/or cooking food at school. Students will then discuss these topics with students in the U.K. via the Internet or by phone. Initially, 14 classrooms (grades 3-8) in the U.S. are now connected with 14 classrooms in Scotland. USDA plans to expand the initiative to include partnerships with additional countries in future years.</p>
<p>The 14 participating U.S. schools are:</p>
<ul><li>Nathanael Greene Elementary School, Chicago, Ill.</li>
<li>JB Lancaster Elementary School, Madisonville, La.</li>
<li>Rolling Terrace Elementary School, Montgomery, Md.</li>
<li>Harmony Hills Elementary School, Silver Spring, Md.</li>
<li>Oak Grove Upper Elementary School, Hattiesburg, Miss.</li>
<li>Hampton Bays Middle School, Hampton Bays, N.Y.</li>
<li>Cartoogechaye Elementary School, Franklin, N.C.</li>
<li>Sterling Elementary School, Pineville, N.C.</li>
<li>AB Combs Elementary School, Wake County, N.C.</li>
<li>Washington Elementary School, Mt Lebanon, Pa.</li>
<li>Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Pittsburg, Pa.</li>
<li>M.B. Henderson Elementary School, Dallas, Texas</li>
<li>Holmes Middle School, Alexandria, Va.</li>
<li>Parklawn Elementary School, Alexandria, Va.</li>
</ul><p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs that work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Learn more by visiting <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/national-nutrition-month" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">National Nutrition Month</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/national-school-breakfast" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">National School Breakfast</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:40:26 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"936 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:142;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:103:"USDA Announces Additional Steps to Reduce Fraud and Misuse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000213";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5635:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">fns-0002.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-02-21T00:00:00-05:00">02/21/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, February 21, 2013 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced tough new measures as a part of USDA’s ongoing effort to ensure integrity in the nation’s nutrition safety net, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).</p>
<p>“Where there is a will to commit malfeasance, bad actors will try to find a way, and we must do everything we can to stay ahead of the curve,” Concannon said. “Today’s announcement reaffirms USDA’s ongoing commitment to cracking down on abuse and protecting taxpayers’ investment in this critical nutrition lifeline.”</p>
<p>Today’s announcement codifies an expanded legal definition of “trafficking” that incorporates not only the direct exchange of SNAP benefits for cash but other indirect methods of obtaining cash for SNAP benefits. The expanded definition now includes so-called “water dumping,” or the purchase of beverages in containers with returnable deposits for the sole purpose of discarding the contents and returning the containers to obtain cash refund deposits; and the sale or purchase of products originally purchased with SNAP benefits for purposes of exchanging those products for cash or other items.</p>
<p>USDA is also seeking comment on a new proposal that would authorize USDA to immediately suspend payments to retailers suspected of flagrant trafficking violations from accepting SNAP benefits. Currently, when a retailer is suspected of trafficking, USDA must first conduct an investigation before suspending the retailer.  If USDA determines that a retailer is a flagrant trafficker, the Department would be authorized to immediately suspend its redemptions.  Such a step would happen concurrently with the retailer being charged; thereby allowing the Department to hold funds that might ultimately be forfeited by the store if the disqualification is upheld.</p>
<p>USDA has front line responsibility for overseeing and enforcing the law with respect to the more than 238,000 retailers that are authorized to accept SNAP benefits. While the vast majority of businesses participating in SNAP are honest and play by the rules, USDA continues to strengthen sanctions against those few bad actors seeking to take advantage of the program. Last year, USDA compliance analysts and investigators took action to <a href="/pressrelease/2013/fns-000113">permanently disqualify 1,387 stores for trafficking in SNAP benefits</a> (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash) or falsifying an application.</p>
<p>SNAP – the nation's first line of defense against hunger – helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. The largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, it has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>Today’s announcement is part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste designed to fight fraud, abuse and misuse in federal programs. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud, visit the Stop SNAP fraud website at <a href="/program-integrity">www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/trafficking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Trafficking</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/program-integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">program integrity</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/program-integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Program Integrity</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/fraud" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Fraud</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:08:57 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"923 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:143;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:74:"USDA Announces Request for Applications for FY 2014 Farm to School Grants ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/002013";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5973:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">National Program Continues to Increase Local Foods in Schools and Provides New Economic Opportunities for Producers of All Kinds</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0020.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact: USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-02-06T00:00:00-05:00">02/06/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 6, 2013 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced the release of a request for applications (RFA) for the latest round of USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/Default.htm">Farm to School</a> grants. These grants help eligible schools improve the health and wellbeing of their students and connect with local agricultural producers.</p>
<p>"USDA's Farm to School grants connect schools with their local farmers, ranchers and food businesses, providing new economic opportunities to food producers and bringing healthy, local offerings into school cafeterias," said Merrigan. "USDA continues to make improvements to the nutrition of food offered in schools, and investing in farm to school programs is yet another important opportunity to encourage our nation's kids to make lifelong healthy eating choices."</p>
<p>This year, three different kinds of grants will be available. Planning grants are intended for schools just getting started on farm to school activities, while implementation grants are available for schools seeking to augment or expand existing efforts. Additionally, eligible non-profit entities, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies, and agriculture producers or groups of producers may apply for support service grants in order to conduct trainings, create complementary curriculum, or further develop supply chains, among other activities. Proposals are due at midnight EST, April 24, 2013.</p>
<p>To assist eligible entities in preparing proposals, USDA will host a series of webinars related to the application process:</p>
<ul><li>March 5, 2013, 1:00 EST – Planning Grants</li>
<li>March 6, 2013, 1:00 EST – Implementation Grants</li>
<li>March 7, 2013, 1:00 EST – Support Service Grants</li>
</ul><p>The Farm to School Grant Program is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which authorized and funded USDA to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. The Act provides $5 million annually to support grants, technical assistance, and the federal administrative costs related to USDA's Farm to School Program. In this funding cycle, USDA anticipates awarding up to $5 million in grants.</p>
<p>Healthier school meals are a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which was championed by the First Lady as part of her Let's Move! campaign and signed into law by President Obama. The new meal requirements are raising standards for the first time in more than fifteen years and improving the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day.</p>
<p>Farm to School is one component of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF) initiative, launched in 2009 to coordinate the Department's work on local and regional food systems and create new opportunities for farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural communities. An interactive view of USDA programs that support local and regional foods, including farm to school and farm to institution, is available in the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER">Know Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass</a>. The KYF Compass consists of an <a href="http://www.usda.gov/maps/maps/kyfcompassmap.htm">interactive map</a> of USDA-supported local and regional food projects and an <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=KYF_COMPASS">accompanying guide</a> to programs and results. In October 2012, the map was expanded and now includes projects from nine other federal agencies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/farm-school" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">farm to school</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/rfa" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">RFA</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/grant" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Grant</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:36:44 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"866 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:144;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:66:"USDA Proposes Standards to Provide Healthy Food Options in Schools";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/001913";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7880:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New &quot;Smart Snacks in School&quot; proposal to ensure vending machines, snack bars include healthy choices</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0019.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact:  USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-02-01T00:00:00-05:00">02/01/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2013 – USDA today announced it will seek public comment on proposed new standards to ensure that children have access to healthy food options in school.</p>
<p>“Parents and teachers work hard to instill healthy eating habits in our kids, and these efforts should be supported when kids walk through the schoolhouse door,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.  “Good nutrition lays the groundwork for good health and academic success.  Providing healthy options throughout school cafeterias, vending machines, and snack bars will complement the gains made with the new, healthy standards for school breakfast and lunch so the healthy choice is the easy choice for our kids.”</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/CNR_2010.htm">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a> requires USDA to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools -- beyond the federally-supported school meals programs.  The “Smart Snacks in School” proposed rule, to be published soon in the Federal Register, is the first step in the process to create national standards.  The new proposed standards draw on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, existing voluntary standards already implemented by thousands of schools around the country, and healthy food and beverage offerings already available in the marketplace.</p>
<p>Highlights of USDA’s proposal include:</p>
<ul><li>More of the foods we should encourage.  Promoting availability of healthy snack foods with whole grains, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables or protein foods as their main ingredients.</li>
<li>Less of the foods we should avoid.  Ensuring that snack food items are lower in fat, sugar, and sodium and provide more of the nutrients kids need.</li>
<li>Targeted standards.  Allowing variation by age group for factors such as beverage portion size and caffeine content.</li>
<li>Flexibility for important traditions.  Preserving the ability for parents to send in bagged lunches of their choosing or treats for activities such as birthday parties, holidays, and other celebrations; and allowing schools to continue traditions like occasional fundraisers and bake sales.</li>
<li>Reasonable limitations on when and where the standards apply.  Ensuring that standards only affect foods that are sold on school campus during the school day.  Foods sold at an afterschool sporting event or other activity will not be subject to these requirements.</li>
<li>Flexibility for state and local communities.  Allowing significant local and regional autonomy by only establishing minimum requirements for schools. States and schools that have stronger standards than what is being proposed will be able to maintain their own policies.</li>
<li>Significant transition period for schools and industry.  The standards will not go into effect until at least one full school year after public comment is considered and an implementing rule is published to ensure that schools and vendors have adequate time to adapt.</li>
</ul><p>The public is encouraged to review the proposal and to provide comments and information for consideration by USDA. The text of the proposed rule is available at <a href="http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/02/08/2013-02584/national-school-lunch-program-and-school-breakfast-program-nutrition-standards-for-all-foods-sold-in">http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/020113-snacks.pdf</a>.  Once the rule is published in the Federal Register, which is expected next week, the public will be able to provide feedback through <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.  USDA will seek public comment on the proposal for 60 days.</p>
<p>Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/standards.htm">report that analyzed state policies for food and beverages served outside the school lunch line</a> which noted that 39 states already have a state law, regulation or policy in place related to the sale or availability of snack foods and beverages in schools.  In many cases, local level (district and school) policies and practices exceeded state requirements or recommendations.  USDA’s proposal would establish a national baseline of these standards, with the overall goal of improving the health and nutrition of our kids.</p>
<p>These proposed standards are part of a bi-partisan package of changes passed by Congress in 2010 designed to ensure that students have healthy options in school.  Other parts of that package include <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2012/01/0023.xml&amp;navid=NEWS_RELEASE&amp;navtype=RT&amp;parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&amp;edeployment_action=retrievecontent">updated nutrition standards</a> for federally-subsidized school meals that provide children more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; additional funding for schools to support improved meals; and guidance on stronger local wellness policies.</p>
<p>Collectively these policies will help combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children; a top priority for the Obama Administration.  The proposed rule announced today is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let’s Move!</a> initiative to combat the challenge of childhood obesity.</p>
<p>USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="_blank">Food and Nutrition Service</a> administers America’s nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).  Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/competitive-foods" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Competitive Foods</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:29:09 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"863 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:145;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:108:"USDA Announces Latest Actions to Enhance Integrity in America’s Most Critical Nutrition Assistance Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2013/fns-000113";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7075:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Measures Help Fight Retailer Misuse, Preserve Taxpayer Investment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS 0001.13</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications &amp;amp; Governmental Affairs  (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2013-01-26T00:00:00-05:00">01/26/2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2013 – USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced results of USDA’s efforts to identify and eliminate fraudulent retailers from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in fiscal year 2012. Last year, USDA compliance analysts and investigators took action to:</p>
<ul><li>Review over 15,000 stores;</li>
<li>Conduct investigations on more than 5,000 stores nationwide;</li>
<li>Impose sanctions, through fines or temporary disqualifications, on 692 stores found violating program rules; and</li>
<li>Permanently disqualify 1,387 stores for trafficking in SNAP benefits (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash) or falsifying an application.</li>
</ul><p>"Our message today is clear and firm: abuse of SNAP benefits—and the American taxpayer’s trust—will not be tolerated and carries severe consequences," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "In the coming year, we will take further steps to strengthen SNAP integrity and continue to hold accountable those few bad actors that try to take advantage of the program. We are committed to ensuring these dollars are spent as intended - helping millions of American families put healthy food on the table.”</p>
<p>In addition, as part of its ongoing effort to combat fraud among SNAP-authorized retailers, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service published a <a href="https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&amp;mode=form&amp;id=5db25c3b41190f1df12426680217d943&amp;tab=core&amp;_cview=0">Request for Information</a> (RFI) soliciting cost-effective, automated solutions from all current and potential partners to help identify fraudulent activity and exclude retailers who violate the rules from participating in SNAP. The USDA is looking for innovative solutions which will identify connections between stores applying to accept SNAP benefits and store owners who have been previously disqualified from accepting SNAP benefits. The RFI also seeks to identify store owners applying or already authorized to accept SNAP benefits who have business integrity violations such as a criminal conviction, a history of fraud, violations of certain laws, or a history of non-compliance with other government programs.</p>
<p>“Enforcing SNAP business integrity is critically important,” added Concannon. “The RFI continues our efforts to look at how improvements in commercial technology may be used to obtain accurate information on ownership so that fraudulent retailers can be excluded or removed from SNAP.”</p>
<p>USDA continues to work with local, state and federal partners to root out fraud, waste and abuse in SNAP and ensure the integrity of our nation's most important food assistance program. Recent actions include:</p>
<ul><li>Published a proposed rule that allows USDA to not only permanently disqualify a retailer who traffics, but also assess a monetary penalty in addition to the disqualification.</li>
<li>Published a final rule to establish standards and expectations regarding State matching requirements to prevent ineligible people from participating in the program. The final rule sets expectations for States to conduct matches against persons in prison, those who are currently disqualified from participating due to past program violations, and deceased persons.</li>
<li>Updated the Agency’s Anti-fraud Locator using EBT Retailer Transactions (ALERT) system. The re-designed ALERT system, which monitors electronic transaction activity and identifies suspicious stores for analysis and investigation, allows USDA to quickly implement fraud detection scans as new schemes are identified, better target high risk areas, and incorporate better data mining driven models.</li>
<li>Helped State Agencies conduct automated searches to monitor social media websites for attempts by individuals to buy or sell SNAP benefits online. Notified state social service agencies and federal agency partners about violators to better protect our public programs. This includes information on program recipients with suspicious transactions at stores that have been sanctioned for trafficking so that the recipients can be further investigated by States.</li>
</ul><p>SNAP—the nation's first line of defense against hunger—helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget for low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>Today’s announcements are part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste designed to fight fraud, abuse and misuse in Federal programs. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud, visit the Stop SNAP fraud website at <a href="/program-integrity">www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fraud.htm</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/retailer-misuse" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Retailer Misuse</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/fraud" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Fraud</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Sat, 26 Jan 2013 13:04:44 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"856 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:146;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"USDA Awards First Grants to Increase Local Foods in Eligible Schools ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/034312";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7597:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Awards First Grants to Increase Local Foods in Eligible Schools 68 Projects Support Nearly 2 Million Students </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0343.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-11-14T00:00:00-05:00">11/14/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced more than $4.5 million in grants for 68 projects, spanning 37 states and the District of Columbia, to connect school cafeterias with local agricultural producers.</p>
<p>"When schools buy food from nearby producers, their purchasing power helps create local jobs and economic benefits, particularly in rural agricultural communities," Merrigan said. "Evidence also suggests that when kids understand more about where food comes from and how it is produced, they are more likely to make healthy eating choices."&amp;</p>
<p>The first-ever USDA Farm to School grants will help schools respond to the growing demand for locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, including food processors, manufacturers, distributors. Grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes.</p>
<p>The grants will serve more than 3,200 schools and 1.75 million students, nearly half of whom live in rural communities. Projects are diverse. Some award recipients, such as the Lawrence County District in Walnut Ridge, Ark., are using grant funds to coordinate efforts with other school districts to aggregate buying power and attract new producers to the school food service market.</p>
<p>Other funded projects, such as Weld County School District 6 in Greeley, Colo., will expand kitchen facilities to serve local products year-round through processing and freezing techniques. Also, Des Moines Municipal Schools in New Mexico will receive grant funding to increase the types of products it buys from local vendors. Local cattle farmers already supply the school district with 100 percent locally produced beef; USDA grant funds will be used to develop relationships with local fruit and vegetable producers to serve a full meal using locally sourced products.</p>
<p>This year's funding also includes:</p>
<ul><li>Twenty-five programs that create jobs by hiring new farm to school coordinators, with 43 projects supporting and maintaining existing staff. In New Haven, Conn., CitySeed, Inc. will hire a procurement specialist to help New Haven School Food Programs increase the amount of regionally grown produce in the meals of more than 20,900 urban public school students. (Nearly 80 percent of them qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch).</li>
<li>Thirty-one programs that use food hubs, or partner with mainline distributors. In California, the Community Alliance of Family Farmers will work with a local distributor to create a new line of local produce, making it easier for schools to source products through current distribution channels.</li>
<li>Forty-four projects that will result in development of new products and menu items. For example, the Lake County Community Development Corporation, in Ronan, Mont., will coordinate with regional lentil farmers to procure protein and fiber rich lentil patties.</li>
<li>An estimated 47 projects will develop new partnerships by working with and educating farmers and ranchers new to the school food market. For example, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will conduct regional "mobile tours" in which agricultural producers and school food service directors tour the state together, learning about agricultural specialties, identifying opportunities for partnership, and solidifying regional networks.</li>
<li>Three projects support American Indian communities, including the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Cloquet, Minn. The reservation will implement a program to improve access to local and traditional foods to increase local economic benefits for producers as well as promote a healthy diet among their youth.</li>
<li>More than 50 projects support hands-on learning activities, such as field trips to farms and creation of school gardens. The Southwest Georgia Project for Community Education, Inc. will coordinate tours of nearby farms for its 35 school partners, serving nearly 21,000 students.</li>
</ul><p>The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) amended Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to establish a Farm to School program in order to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. Farm to School grants are administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. The full list of awards granted for fiscal year 2013 is available at <a href="/sites/default/files/F2S_Grants-FY2013.pdf">http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/F2S/pdf/F2S_Grants-FY2013.pdf</a>.</p>
<p>Farm to School is one component of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, launched in 2009 to coordinate the Department's work on local and regional food systems and create new opportunities for farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural communities. An interactive view of USDA programs that support local and regional foods, including farm to school and farm to institution, is available in the <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass</a>. The KYF Compass consists of an interactive map of USDA-supported local and regional food projects and an <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=KYF_COMPASS">accompanying guide</a> to our programs and results on the ground. In October, the map was expanded and now includes projects from nine other federal agencies.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/farm-2-school" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Farm 2 School</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/grants-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">grants</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Sun, 02 Dec 2012 05:08:24 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"666 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6:"author";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:147;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:64:"USDA Offers Food Assistance to Those Affected by Hurricane Sandy";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/034012";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4915:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0340.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-11-05T00:00:00-05:00">11/05/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, November 5, 2012—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is coordinating with States and partner organizations to provide disaster nutrition assistance to individuals in 13 states affected by Hurricane Sandy.</p>
<p>In the State of New York, USDA is working with the state, the Food Bank of New York City, and partner agencies to distribute approximately 1.1 million pounds of USDA Foods. Food will be distributed through nearly 1,000 designated emergency feeding outlets to affected households in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester and Rockland counties.</p>
<p>In New Jersey, USDA worked late last week with the State of New Jersey and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey to coordinate the delivery of 39,000 pounds of USDA Foods to support congregate feeding efforts. The food bank will combine USDA Foods with existing food stocks to produce 15,000 meals per day for 5-7 days to be distributed in cooperation with the Red Cross and Salvation Army at shelters.</p>
<p>USDA is working closely with states and industry partners in affected states to remind SNAP retailers of the procedure for manually processing SNAP transactions during power outages, in order to ensure that SNAP recipients living in areas affected by power outages continue to have access to food.</p>
<p>In certain areas in New York, USDA has granted a waiver to allow SNAP recipients to purchase hot foods using SNAP benefits. Under normal circumstances, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods. USDA has granted this waiver to accommodate individuals that have lost homes, are affected by power outages, or are otherwise unable to prepare food due to damage caused by the hurricane.</p>
<p>USDA has approved requests from the states of Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia and to issue automatic, mass replacements of benefits to SNAP households in certain areas affected by the hurricane. USDA has also approved requests from the states of Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia to extend the time SNAP recipients have to report loss of food purchased using SNAP benefits and to request replacement benefits.</p>
<p>USDA and the Department of Education are partnering to remind states and schools of existing federal resources available through the Department of Agriculture. States and schools may use stocks of USDA Foods purchased for the National School Lunch Program to help prepare meals at schools, shelters or other feeding sites to help feed local residents who may be in need of nutrition assistance. USDA has also provided guidance to the directors of Child Nutrition Programs in all States to remind them of the options schools and other community-based organizations have to provide meals to children in areas affected by disasters including provision of meals to children when schools are closed or students are displaced due to natural disasters.</p>
<p>For more information about disaster nutrition assistance, visit <a href="/sites/default/files/Hurricane_Sandy.pdf" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Response_to_Hurricane_Sandy.pdf</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.usa.gov/sandy for">www.usa.gov/sandy for</a> the latest Hurricane Sandy Response information and resources available from government agencies.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/usda-foods" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">USDA Foods</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/disaster-assistance" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Disaster Assistance</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Sun, 02 Dec 2012 03:12:29 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"665 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6:"author";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:148;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:80:"USDA Announces Grants to Support Schools in Meeting New School Meal Requirements";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/029712";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5329:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0297.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-09-14T00:00:00-04:00">09/14/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, September 14, 2012—Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced new grants to support schools as they strive to serve healthy food, provide nutrition education, and create an environment focused on healthy eating and physical activity. </p>
<p>"When we serve our children healthy school meals, we're making a critical investment in their academic performance, their physical health, and their future," said Merrigan. "Today's announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to provide States with the tools they need to build a healthy school environment. Providing nutrition education resources, extending training and technical assistance to foodservice professionals, and building community support helps ensure that every child in America has a chance to succeed."</p>
<p>Funded in support of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the Team Nutrition training grants will assist schools in meeting the new school meal requirements, encourage HealthierUS School Challenge participation, support students' nutritious choices by structuring the cafeteria environment in a way that encourages the selection of healthy foods, and promote healthier environments to align with the Local Wellness Policy requirements established in the Act.</p>
<p>USDA is awarding approximately $5.2 million in 18 States and one territory including:</p>
<ul><li>Arizona, $319,772.00</li>
<li>Guam, $330,344.00</li>
<li>Hawaii, $233,016.00</li>
<li>Idaho, $245,120.00</li>
<li>Illinois, $50,000.00</li>
<li>Iowa, $348,335.00</li>
<li>Kansas, $349,715.00</li>
<li>Michigan, $333,420.00</li>
<li>Missouri, $342,609.00</li>
<li>Montana, $349,924.00</li>
<li>New Jersey, $324,151.00</li>
<li>North Dakota, $247,580.00</li>
<li>Ohio, $345,849.00</li>
<li>Utah, $41,540.00</li>
<li>Washington, $222,508.00</li>
<li>Washington, $46,772.00</li>
<li>West Virginia, $346,515.00</li>
<li>Wisconsin, $203,056.00</li>
</ul><p>Funding will be made available for the period of September 30, 2012 through September 30, 2014, to assist State agencies in achieving the Team Nutrition goals. States must apply Team Nutrition's three behavior-focused strategies:</p>
<ul><li>Provide training and technical assistance to child nutrition foodservice professionals to enable them to prepare and serve nutritious meals that appeal to children.</li>
<li>Provide fun and interactive nutrition education for children, teachers, parents, and other caregivers.</li>
<li>Build school and community support for creating healthy school environments that are conducive to healthy eating and physical activity.</li>
</ul><p>This school year, 32 million students across the country are benefiting from new meal standards for the National School Lunch Program for the first time in more than fifteen years. The healthier school meals are a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which was championed by the First Lady as part of her Let's Move! campaign and signed into law by President Obama. To learn about the new meal standards, go to<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday">www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service</a> (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including school meals programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fraud-news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Fraud News</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:57:11 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"583 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"admin";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:149;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:76:"USDA Celebrates the Start of a Healthier School Year for America&#039;s Kids";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/028512";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3871:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New Standards Ensure Students are Offered Healthier, More Nutritious Foods in the Lunch Line</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0285.12 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-08-29T00:00:00-04:00">08/29/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 29, 2012 — Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced that America's students will see healthier and more nutritious foods in the cafeteria as they return to school this year. The new nutrition standards for school meals, implemented as a result of the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, will help to combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children.</p>
<p>"Improving the nutrition of school meals is an important investment in the future of America's children," said Concannon. "We know that healthy food plays a vital role in strengthening a child's body and mind and the healthier school meals will help to ensure our children can learn, grow, and reach their full potential."</p>
<p>Starting this school year, schools will phase in the nutrition standards over a three-year period. Schools will focus on changes in the lunches in the first year, with most changes in breakfast to take place in future years. The new meal standards:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>Ensure students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week;</li>
<li>Substantially increase offerings of whole grain-rich foods and low-fat milk or fat-free milk varieties;</li>
<li>Limit calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size; and</li>
<li>Focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.</li>
</ul><p>The new meal requirements are raising standards for the first time in more than fifteen years and improving the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day. The healthier school meals are a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which was championed by the First Lady as part of her Let's Move! campaign and signed into law by President Obama.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including school meals programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" style="font-size: 13.008px;">www.fns.usda.gov</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">  for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs. To learn about the meal standards, go to </span><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday" style="font-size: 13.008px;">www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday</a><span style="font-size: 13.008px;">.</span></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:50:49 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"721 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:150;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:71:"USDA Awards Grants to Boost Children’s Access to Healthy School Meals";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:50:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/fns-512";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3552:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-5.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-08-23T00:00:00-04:00">08/23/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 23, 2012 –Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced additional investments in the national school meal programs that will protect taxpayer dollars while providing healthy school meals for low-income kids. The Administrative Review and Training Grants help states improve their operational accuracy in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. The grants highlight the work of states in improving the integrity and efficiency of program administration and delivery.</p>
<p>“USDA’s school meal programs are vital to the overall well-being of our nation’s children,” said Concannon. “By focusing on program efficiencies, we are improving the program’s administration and delivery and preserving tax-payer dollars, all while continuing to ensure that America’s children have access to healthy and nutritious meals at school.”</p>
<p>During the grant periods, which range from one to three years, states will develop and implement training and technology improvements to assist in identifying, training and monitoring school food authorities that are at high risk for errors in program operations. USDA will award grants to the following States:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;"><li>Alaska $1,058,915</li>
<li>Massachusetts $1,243,647</li>
</ul><p>Working in collaboration with USDA, state agencies responsible for administering these programs continue to enhance program integrity. This year, USDA is investing in oversight and training activities focused on the nutritional quality of the meals and technology improvements which can help address administrative errors. More information on the Administrative Review and Training Grants is available at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm">http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm</a>.</p>
<p>Reducing childhood obesity and improving the nutrition of all Americans are vital to achieve a healthy future for America. That’s why the Obama administration and USDA are committed to promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles and to ensuring that all Americans have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals.</p>
<p>USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including school meals programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:10:32 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"722 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:151;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:87:"USDA Unveils New Aggressive Tactics to Counter Fraud and Enhance SNAP Program Integrity";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/026912";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6779:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Strengthened Measures Target Bad Actors in Nation&#039;s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0269.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-08-09T00:00:00-04:00">08/09/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 9, 2012— Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced a broad range of additional strategies to further improve program integrity in USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and hold those misusing benefits accountable. The measures include tougher financial sanctions for the small number of retailers that defraud the program and new requirements and tools for States to ensure benefits go solely to eligible individuals.</p>
<p>"USDA has a zero tolerance policy for SNAP fraud," said Concannon. "These additional measures reaffirm our ongoing commitment to ensuring these dollars are spent as intended–helping millions of people in need get back on solid economic footing."</p>
<p>The retailer sanctions proposal allows USDA to not only permanently disqualify a retailer who traffics, but also assess a monetary penalty in addition to the disqualification. Financial penalties would be proportional to the amount of SNAP business the store is conducting, which will help ensure that the financial punishment more closely fits the crime. Currently, when a retailer is found guilty of fraud or abuse, USDA can either disqualify the retailer from participating in SNAP, or issue a financial penalty, but not both.</p>
<p>Today's announcement includes new requirements for States to take specific actions that would catch fraud and abuse on the front end and ensure that ineligible people do not participate in the program. The new standards strengthen integrity by giving States an additional tool to identify cases that may require further investigation and review when an applicant or recipient is found in a Federal database.</p>
<p>"These requirements will make us better at identifying potential fraud and abuse before it occurs, as well as help us hold bad actors even more accountable than in the past and discourage them from abusing the public's trust," said Concannon.</p>
<p>Concannon also today released third quarter, fiscal year 2012 results of USDA work in fighting fraudulent activity in SNAP retail stores, tallying final actions to sanction or disqualify retailers violating program rules. In that quarter, USDA staff took final actions to:</p>
<ul><li>Impose sanctions, through fines or temporary disqualifications, on more than 574 stores found violating program rules; and</li>
<li>Permanently disqualify 1,016 stores for trafficking SNAP benefits (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash) or falsifying an application.</li>
</ul><p>These announcements are part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste designed to fight fraud and abuse in Federal programs. For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud, visit the Stop SNAP fraud website at <a href="/program-integrity">http://www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity</a>.</p>
<p>USDA continues to work with local, state and federal partners to root out fraud, waste and abuse in SNAP and ensure the integrity of our nation's most important food assistance program. Recent actions include:</p>
<ul><li>Sending letters to the CEOs of Craigslist, Ebay, Facebook and Twitter to reiterate the need to help prevent the illegal sale or purchase of SNAP benefits online;</li>
<li>Proposing a rule to provide States the option to require recipients to make contact with the state when there have been an excessive number of requests for EBT card replacements;</li>
<li>Increasing documentation required for high-risk stores applying to redeem SNAP benefits;</li>
<li>Continuing to notify state social service agencies and federal agency partners about violators to better protect our public programs. This includes information on program recipients with suspicious transactions at stores that have been sanctioned for trafficking so that the recipients can be further investigated by States.</li>
</ul><p>Reducing childhood obesity and improving the nutrition of all Americans are vital to achieve a healthy future for America. That's why the Obama administration and USDA are committed to promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles and to ensuring that all Americans have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals.</p>
<p>SNAP–the nation's first line of defense against hunger–helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. The largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, it has never been more urgently needed than it is today. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget of more than 46 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including school meals programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/program-integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Program Integrity</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/fraud" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Fraud</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:50:03 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"719 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"admin";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:152;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:64:"USDA Exceeds First Lady&#039;s HealthierUS School Challenge Goal";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/023612";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4692:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">More than 3,700 Schools Have Received Honors for Expanding Nutrition and Health</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0236.12 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-07-16T00:00:00-04:00">07/16/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 16, 2012 – USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Janey Thornton yesterday announced that 3,717 schools are now certified in the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/index.html">HealthierUS School Challenge </a>(HUSSC), an initiative that boosts the health and nutrition of the nation’s schoolchildren. The HUSSC is one of the key parts of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let’s Move! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation.</p>
<p>“USDA committed to working with schools across the nation to reach the goal of having 2,250 HealthierUS School Challenge-certified schools by the end of June 2012,” said Thornton. “USDA and its partners not only succeeded in meeting that milestone, but have also surpassed the goal set for June 2013, a year ahead of schedule.”</p>
<p>In February 2010, the First Lady and USDA challenged stakeholders to double the number of HUSSC schools within a year and then add 1,000 schools per year for the following two years. Schools participating in the Challenge are recognized with Gold of Distinction, Gold, Silver, or Bronze certification. Schools participating in the challenge voluntarily adopt USDA standards for their efforts in improving food and beverage offerings, teaching kids about nutritious food choices and being physically active, providing opportunities for physical activity, and having supportive school wellness policies.</p>
<p>“By prioritizing nutrition and physical activity for their children, leaders in these schools and the communities that support them are playing a crucial role in building a healthier next generation,” said Thornton. “Through their leadership, we are confident that schools across the nation will be able to implement the new standards for nutrition and ensure that the 32 million lunches and 13 million breakfasts served in schools every day will continue to play a key role in the fight against obesity in this country.”</p>
<p>Reducing childhood obesity and improving the nutrition of all Americans are vital to achieving a healthy future for America. USDA is working to implement historic reforms mandated by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that will mark the most comprehensive change to food in schools in more than a generation. These reforms include updated nutrition standards for school meals to increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; performance-based funding increases for schools – the first real increase in 30 years; and training and technical assistance to help schools meet improved standards.</p>
<p>USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including school meals programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hussc" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HUSSC</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:17:36 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"723 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:153;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:67:"USDA Recognizes States for Exceptional Nutrition Assistance Service";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:50:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/fns-412";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3888:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">National Payment Accuracy Rate Reaches Historic High</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-4.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-06-29T00:00:00-04:00">06/29/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 29, 2012 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today highlighted the historic levels of payment accuracy State agencies achieved in USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Fiscal year (FY) 2011 is the fifth consecutive year States improved payment accuracy and program integrity in the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program.</p>
<p>“The Obama Administration is committed to ensuring that SNAP benefits are distributed with the utmost integrity and accuracy,” said Concannon, Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. “Working with our state partners, we will continue to make improvements that protect taxpayer dollars while helping struggling individuals and families put healthy food on the table."</p>
<p>The payment accuracy rate was 96.2 percent in FY11, a record high. Payment accuracy is a measure of the correct determination of eligibility and benefit levels. Payment accuracy information is used to analyze and improve program administration.</p>
<p>“Over 98 percent of recipients are eligible for some benefit. The key is getting the amount of benefits right, not too much and not too little,” Concannon said. “Today's announcement should inspire confidence that States continue to get better and better at getting the amount right, and that SNAP continues to be a well-managed taxpayer investment.”</p>
<p>Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, each State agency is responsible for monitoring and improving its administration of SNAP. Every year, State agencies conduct Quality Control (QC) reviews of a statistical sample of their participating SNAP households. A QC review consists of a detailed examination of household non-financial and financial circumstances, including income, resources and deductions, to determine whether benefits were accurately authorized for active cases or improperly denied or terminated for negative cases.</p>
<p>Reducing childhood obesity and improving the nutrition of all Americans are vital to achieve a healthy future for America. That’s why the Obama administration and USDA are committed to promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles and to ensuring that all Americans have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals.</p>
<p>USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. The largest program, SNAP, puts healthy food on the table for more than 46 million people each month, half of whom are children. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:32:56 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"724 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:154;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:73:"USDA and Partners Nationwide Team to Feed Children during Summer Meal Gap";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/fns-000312";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4517:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Second Annual National Summer Food Service Program Week Set for June 11-15</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0003.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-06-08T00:00:00-04:00">06/08/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 8, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the second annual Summer Food Service Program Week to promote access to healthy meals when schools close for the summer. During the June 11-15 awareness campaign, USDA and its partners will redouble efforts to emphasize the important nutrition benefits offered through the federal Summer Food Service Program and other healthy meal options available for low-income young people across the nation.</p>
<p>“The Obama administration is focused on ending childhood hunger and tackling the summer hunger problem is central to that commitment,” said Vilsack. “Thanks to the strong support of our partners from state agencies, schools, advocacy groups and faith- and community-based organizations, access to healthy meals during summer is a reality for millions of children in need.”</p>
<p>During the school year, more than 21 million children receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs. The Summer Food Service Program is designed to make sure children can get the nutritious meals they need during the summer months so they’re ready to learn when they return to school in the fall. Last summer, USDA invested $373 million and fed approximately 2.3 million children on a typical day through the Summer Food Service Program.</p>
<p>USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon said, “The nutrition gap low-income children face when school is out of session underscores the need and importance for USDA’s summer meal opportunities. We anticipate bolstering this investment by working to increase the number of sites where disadvantaged children can receive a meal in a constructive, safe environment.”</p>
<p>In partnership with the advocacy group WhyHunger, USDA has developed downloadable Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to alert parents and guardians of the accessibility of summer meals sites for school-age children. Radio stations in many communities have already begun to broadcast the messages, which feature English and Spanish versions. The announcements are at no cost and can be accessed through the Food and Nutrition Service Web site: <a href="http://www.summerfood.usda.gov/Outreach.htm">http://www.summerfood.usda.gov/Outreach.htm</a></p>
<p>Concannon added that although not every community has summer feeding sites, many predominately low-income communities do. To find a site in your community, call 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-Hambre.</p>
<p> Reducing childhood obesity and improving the nutrition of all Americans are vital to achieve a healthy future for America. That’s why the Obama administration and USDA are committed to promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles and to ensuring that all Americans have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals.</p>
<p>USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including school meals programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:42:08 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"726 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:155;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:72:"USDA Proposes Additional Steps to Fight Fraud and Enhance SNAP Integrity";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/016412";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6005:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Announcements Highlight Ongoing Efforts to Fight Fraud in Nation&#039;s Most Critical Nutrition Assistance Program</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0164.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-05-24T00:00:00-04:00">05/24/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 - Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/05/30/2012-12907/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-trafficking-controls-and-fraud-investigations">new measures </a>to further reduce fraud in USDA's <a href="/snap">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program </a>(SNAP) as part of the Obama administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste. The new measures will help root out waste, fraud and abuse so that federal dollars are invested wisely by giving states new tools to examine excessive requests for replacement benefit cards. Current law lacks needed flexibility for States to contact households for information about requests for multiple replacements, which in some cases may indicate fraudulent activity.</p>
<p>"There are many legitimate reasons for replacing cards and the vast majority of recipients follow the rules," said Concannon, Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. "But we are concerned that a few bad actors are using replacement cards to exchange SNAP benefits for cash, commonly referred to as trafficking."</p>
<p>Trafficking is an illegal activity punishable by disqualification from the program, fines, and even criminal prosecution. Over the last 15 years, FNS has aggressively implemented a number of measures to reduce the prevalence of trafficking in SNAP from 4 percent down to 1 percent.</p>
<p>The proposed rule provides States the option to require SNAP recipients to make contact with the state when there have been an excessive number of requests for replacements in a year. The proposal lets States set the threshold for contact but stipulates that it be no fewer than four requests in the 12 month period prior to the requests. This will provide States the opportunity to determine whether the request is legitimate, or requires further investigation, Concannon said. States using the option must also ensure that they protect vulnerable people who lose their cards but are not committing fraud. The proposed rule is available on the Food and Nutrition Service website and will be published in the Federal Register for public comment in the near future.</p>
<p>USDA continues to work with local, state and federal partners to root out fraud, waste and abuse in SNAP, also known as food stamps. Most recently, USDA sent <a href="/program-integrity">letters </a>to the CEOs of Craigslist, EBay, Facebook and Twitter to reiterate the need to help prevent the illegal sale or purchase of SNAP benefits on their websites. The proposed rule also codifies current policy that such attempted sales are trafficking violations.</p>
<p>"We are committed to meeting the highest standards of accountability when it comes to protecting taxpayer dollars and enhancing the integrity of SNAP," Concannon said. "Americans continue to support helping struggling families put food on the table but they want to know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely."</p>
<p>Concannon also today released second quarter, fiscal year 2012 results of USDA work in fighting fraudulent activity in SNAP retail stores, tallying final actions to sanction or disqualify retailers violating program rules. In that quarter, USDA staff took final actions to:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Impose sanctions, through fines or temporary disqualifications, on more than 198 stores found violating program rules; and</li>
<li>Permanently disqualify over 366 stores for trafficking in SNAP benefits (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash).</li>
</ul><p>USDA's Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services is currently developing tougher sanctions and penalties for fraudulent retailers and next quarter will announce additional steps to ensure permanently disqualified individuals are not participating in SNAP in other states.</p>
<p>SNAP – the nation's first line of defense against hunger – helps put food on the table for millions of low income families and individuals every month. The largest of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs, it has never been more critical to the fight against hunger. SNAP is a vital supplement to the monthly food budget more than 46 million low-income individuals. Nearly half of SNAP participants are children and more than 40 percent of recipients live in households with earnings.</p>
<p>For more information about USDA efforts to combat fraud visit the Stop SNAP fraud website at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity">http://www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity</a>. For more information about USDA's nutrition assistance programs visit USDA's Food and Nutrition Service website at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:46:22 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"727 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:156;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:60:"USDA Grants to Increase Farmers Market Participation in SNAP";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/014912";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4761:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Wireless Technology Funds to Broaden SNAP Beneficiaries&#039; Nutrition Opportunities, Spur Local Economies</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0149.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-05-09T00:00:00-04:00">05/09/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 9, 2012 — Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced awards to help States expand availability of wireless technology in farmers' markets not currently participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The $4 million in funding provides SNAP participants greater access to fresh and healthy food, while supporting American farmers and local economies.</p>
<p>"Our country's 7,100 operating farmers markets offer opportunities to our children and their families to access healthy food across the country," said Deputy Secretary Merrigan. "SNAP participation at farmers' markets helps provide fresh fruit and vegetables to families and expands the customer base for local farmers - a win-win for agriculture and local communities."</p>
<p>In the past, farmers' markets, which usually do not have access to phone lines or electricity, have had difficulty redeeming SNAP benefits through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system. As a result of funding provided by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012, States may provide wireless equipment to currently non-participating farmers' markets, opening the door for their participation in the Program.</p>
<p>"This funding will help SNAP customers increase their opportunities to access healthy, local foods," added Deputy Secretary Merrigan. "And evidence suggests they will take advantage of that access. When we couple this approach with strategies like the education, cooking demonstrations, and community support often found at farmers markets, consumption of healthy foods should rise even more."</p>
<p>There are currently over 1,500 farmers markets using EBT technology. Since 2008, SNAP expenditures at farmers markets have risen by 400 percent.</p>
<p>In addition to the these federal funds being provided now to state agencies, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will soon post a Federal Register notice that will solicit public input on how best to use such funds in the future. As of the end of the last fiscal quarter, there were 1,548 farmers' markets participating in SNAP. USDA is looking to expand the number of participating farmers' markets and increase annual SNAP redemptions at these locations.</p>
<p>FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
<p>USDA National Farmers Market Directory lists farmers markets that accept SNAP and these other federal nutrition programs. It is available at <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets">http://farmersmarkets.usda.gov</a>. With over 2 million page views last year, the directory is an easy-to-use tool that allows users to search for markets based on location, available products, and types of payment accepted—including participation in Federal nutrition programs. Newer features allow directory users to locate markets based on proximity to zip code and to see links to active farmers market websites. The USDA Farmers Market Directory is based on self-reported information provided by the market managers. Market Managers can update their market's information for the 2012 season at <a href="http://www.usdalocalfooddirectories.com/updates.html">www.usdadirectoryupdate.com</a></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:09:20 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"728 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:157;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:81:"USDA Announces Next States Chosen to Phase In Streamlined Free School Meal Option";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:50:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/fns-212";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5333:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Initiative helps low-income children receive healthy, well-balanced meals</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-2.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Public Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-05-04T00:00:00-04:00">05/04/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 4, 2012 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced today that the District of Columbia, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia were selected to use an innovative option to reduce administrative paperwork and costs, while making it easier for eligible children in low-income communities to receive free meals in the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp">National School Lunch </a>and <a href="/sbp/school-breakfast-program-sbp">School Breakfast Programs</a>. Community eligibility alleviates the burden on families by eliminating household applications, while helping schools reduce costs associated with collecting and processing those applications.</p>
<p>“Ensuring all school children have access to healthy, well-balanced meals is critical to their ability to learn in the classroom, grow up healthy and to reach their fullest potential,” said Kevin Concannon, Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.“</p>
<p>The Community Eligibility Option offers a boost to our children’s nutrition in communities where need is greatest. And it streamlines administration and increases integrity by relying on data from other means-tested program certifications.” The Community Eligibility Option provides schools in high-poverty areas a means of sharing with USDA the cost of providing free breakfast and lunch to all students without applications. USDA’s contribution is based primarily on the percentage of households in the community that participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The process builds on the highly effective direct certification system, which uses SNAP data to enroll low-income children in free meals, to eliminate entirely the cost and burden to schools of collecting and processing applications.</p>
<p>This option is among the reforms mandated by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, signed by President Obama on December 13, 2010. The Act phases in the streamlined process over three years. USDA selected Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan as the first states to participate in the Option during School Year 2011-12. All states were encouraged to apply for the Option for School Year 2012-13. Based on a review of the applications received, USDA selected the District of Columbia, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia for School Year 2012-13. The Option will be offered to schools in all states beginning School Year 2014-15.</p>
<p>Reducing childhood obesity and improving the nutrition of all Americans are vital to achieve a healthy future for America. That’s why the Obama administration and USDA are committed to promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles and to ensuring that all Americans have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama as part of her Let’s Move! initiative and signed by President Barack Obama, marked a great win for the nearly 32 million school children who participate in the National School Lunch and the 12 million school children who participate in the School Breakfast programs each school day. USDA is working to implement historic reforms mandated by the act that will mark the most comprehensive change to food in schools in more than a generation. These reforms include updated nutrition standards for school meals to increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; science-based standards for all foods and beverages sold on the school campus; performance-based funding increases for schools – the first real increase in 30 years; and training and technical assistance to help schools meet improved standards.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service</a> (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including school meals programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:13:49 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"729 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:158;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:60:"USDA to Provide Additional Funds for Nation’s School Meals";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:50:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/fns-112";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6161:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Increased lunch reimbursement authorized by Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-1.12 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Public Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-04-27T00:00:00-04:00">04/27/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON April 27, 2012 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced increased support for schools across the Nation as they implement healthier and more nutritious school meal standards for America’s kids. Schools will be reimbursed an additional 6 cents for each lunch they serve in accordance with the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/nutritionstandards.htm">new standards</a>– the first increase beyond inflation in over 30 years.</p>
<p>“Hungry and undernourished children simply can’t be the students they were intended to be,” said Concannon. “The ambitious new meal standards, especially those for school lunch, will provide millions of healthy meals each and every day and that is why USDA is providing these important additional financial resources to help schools raise the bar for our kids.”</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-04-27/pdf/2012-10229.pdf">increased reimbursement</a>, a significant investment in improving the quality of school meals, will be provided to school districts once they have made any changes needed to their menus to meet the new standards announced by USDA on January 25, 2012. Funding will begin flowing to schools across the country this year.</p>
<p>School meal programs are a partnership between USDA, State agencies and local schools, and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 recognized that ensuring adequate resources for schools was essential to make meal improvements a reality in schools across the nation. The Act includes five major components that work together to give schools and communities new tools to meet the challenge of providing healthier meals:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Updated nutrition standards for school lunches and breakfasts, based on expert recommendations from the Institute of Medicine;</li>
<li>Increased funding for schools – the first real increase in 30 years – tied to strong performance in serving improved meals;</li>
<li>Common-sense standards for the revenue provided to school food authorities from non-Federal sources, to ensure that these revenues keep pace with the Federal commitment to healthy school meals and properly align with costs;</li>
<li> Science-based standards for all foods sold in school, the first ever, national standards to ensure that foods and beverages sold in vending machines and other venues on school campuses also contribute to a healthy diet; and</li>
<li> Training and technical assistance to help schools achieve and monitor compliance.</li>
</ul><p>Reducing childhood obesity and improving the nutrition of all Americans are vital to achieve a healthy future for America. That’s why the Obama administration and USDA are committed to promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles and to ensuring that all Americans have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals. The <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/CNR_2010.htm">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama as part of her Let’s Move! initiative and signed by President Barack Obama, marked a great win for the nearly 32 million school children who participate in the National School Lunch and approximately 13 million school children who participate in the School Breakfast programs each school day. USDA is working to implement historic reforms mandated by the act that will mark the most comprehensive change to food in schools in more than a generation. These reforms include updated nutrition standards for school meals to increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; science-based standards for all foods and beverages sold on the school campus; performance-based funding increases for schools – the first real increase in 30 years; and training and technical assistance to help schools meet improved standards.</p>
<p>USDA will work with schools and communities to help improve meals so they are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Improving the health and nutrition of children by providing nutritious meals in school, based on the latest science, is a top priority for the Obama Administration. The NSLP Compliance rule is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, and for the first time in 15 years, we are making critical investments that will upgrade the standards for school meals.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:57:02 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"730 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:159;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:108:"USDA Announces New Farm to School Program to Improve the Health and Nutrition of Kids Receiving School Meals";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/012012";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6335:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">National Program to Provide New Economic Opportunities for Producers Of All Kinds</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0120.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-04-17T00:00:00-04:00">04/17/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>HARWOOD, Md., April 17, 2012 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced today that USDA will be investing in farm to school programs nationwide to help eligible schools improve the health and wellbeing of their students and connect with local agricultural producers. Merrigan joined students at Southern High School to announce the new program that will promote opportunities for nutrition and agriculture education while providing new economic opportunities for food producers of all kinds and communities nationwide. Students at the school displayed and highlighted their farm to school efforts with a tour of the school’s greenhouse.</p>
<p>“School cafeterias are great places to champion U.S. agriculture and to teach students where their food comes from,” said Deputy Secretary Merrigan. “More and more, schools are connecting with their local farmers, ranchers and food businesses each day and these programs are a great way to bring more local offerings into school cafeterias and support U.S. producers as well. As we struggle with obesity and associated diet related diseases, farm to school programs give us one important tool to help our kids make lifelong healthy eating choices.”</p>
<p>The Farm to School Grant Program is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which authorized and funded USDA to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. The new investments will assist schools in procuring food from local producers. Farm to school initiatives can also include agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes.</p>
<p>These grants, administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), will help schools respond to the growing demand for locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, including food processors, manufacturers, distributors and other value-added operations.</p>
<p>To fulfill the farm to school mandate in the HHFKA, effective October 1, 2012, $5 million will be provided to USDA on an annual basis to support grants, technical assistance, and the Federal administrative costs related to USDA’s farm to school program. In this first funding cycle, FNS anticipates awarding up to $3.5 million in grants, while the remaining $1.5 million will support a combination of training and technical assistance, administrative costs, and/or additional farm to school grants.</p>
<p>Letters of Intent are suggested but not required by May 18, 2012, while proposals are due June 15, 2012. To assist eligible entities in preparing proposals, USDA will host a webinar related to Implementation grants on May 15th at 1:00 pm EST and a webinar related to Planning grants on May 17th at 1:00 pm EST. For more information on webinars, the farm to school grant program, or USDA’s farm to school efforts in general, please visit the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/">USDA Farm to School website</a>.</p>
<p>Reducing childhood obesity and improving the nutrition and health of all Americans is a top priority the the Obama Administration and USDA is committed to promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles and ensuring that all Americans have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals. Championed by First Lady Michelle Obama as part of her Let’s Move! initiative and signed by President Barack Obama, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 marked a great win for the nearly 32 million school children that participate in the National School Lunch and the 12 million school children that participate in the School Breakfast Programs each school day. USDA is working to implement historic reforms that will mark the most comprehensive change to food in schools in more than a generation, which include: updated school meals nutrition standards to increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; science-based standards for all foods and beverages sold on the school campus; performance-based funding increases for schools – the first real increase in 30 years; and training and technical assistance to help schools meet improved standards.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/f2s" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Community Food Systems</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:10:24 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"731 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:160;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:116:"USDA Announces Steps to Streamline Administration and Enhance Program Integrity in the National School Lunch Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/008612";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6175:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Six States to Improve Enrollment Procedures for School Meals</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0086.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-03-07T00:00:00-05:00">03/07/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 7, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced new steps to enhance the delivery of USDA services while creating greater efficiencies to make the most of taxpayer dollars. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is collaborating with six states on new demonstration projects to connect eligible low-income children with free school meals automatically based on information received from Medicaid. The new process will allow for administrative efficiencies, reduce improper payments and streamline efforts to provide access to critical nutrition for kids across the nation.</p>
<p>"These demonstration projects are just the latest example of USDA's ongoing efforts to modernize our services and improve the lives of kids and their families," said Vilsack. "By relying upon existing data, we streamline operations, reduce payment errors and improve the efficiency of operations at the federal and local level. At the same time we are ensuring that we deliver healthy meals to more eligible kids so that they have access to the nutrition they need to learn and excel."</p>
<p>Alaska, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New York and Pennsylvania will begin their respective projects on July 1 for school year 2012-2013. Kentucky and Pennsylvania plan to conduct statewide projects while the others will do so in select locations.</p>
<p>USDA recognizes its fundamental responsibility to promote effective program management and reduce and prevent improper payments. The department, in coordination with states and program operators in over 100,000 schools, is pursuing alternative business processes – such as direct certification for school meals based on participation in other means-tested programs – that can prevent these kinds of errors without compromising access for those truly in need.</p>
<p>Undersecretary Kevin Concannon underscored the importance of the projects. "Direct certification is a trifecta for schools, parents and children. Schools and parents benefit from reduced paperwork, and children in need get better access to healthy school meals," he said.</p>
<p>The passage of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 marks the first time that states have been allowed to test this new process, called direct certification, with Medicaid information. USDA selected the demonstration states through a competitive application process. Under the legislation, the areas selected to participate will be expanded in future years, which will allow additional states to participate.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service will conduct a formal study to evaluate the effectiveness of the projects. The study – with the results published in reports to Congress in 2014 and 2015 – will estimate the following impacts:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The extent to which direct certification for each demonstration category reaches children who are eligible for free school meals but are not certified to receive them;</li>
<li>The extent to which the projects directly certify eligible children who are enrolled for free school meals based on a household application; and</li>
<li>The effect direct certification with the Medicaid program has on federal and state costs, and on participation in the school lunch and breakfast programs.</li>
</ul><p>The demonstration projects are just one of the major components of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, now implemented or under development, that will work together to reform school nutrition. In addition to the updated meal standards, unprecedented improvements to come include:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The ability to take nutrition standards beyond the lunch line for the first time ever, foods and beverages sold in vending machines and other venues on school campuses will also contribute to a healthy diet;</li>
<li>Increased funding for schools – an additional 6 cents a meal is the first real increase in 30 years – tied to strong performance in serving improved meals;</li>
<li>Common-sense pricing standards for schools to ensure that revenues from non-Federal sources keep pace with the Federal commitment to healthy school meals and properly align with costs; and</li>
<li>Training and technical assistance to help schools achieve and monitor compliance.</li>
</ul><p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:17:32 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"732 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:161;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:78:"USDA Announces Investments in Nutrition Education for Native American Families";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/008712";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6581:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0087.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-03-07T00:00:00-05:00">03/07/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 7, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today joined tribal leaders from across the nation at the National Congress of American Indians to announce investments in positive nutrition education and physical activity habits that can lead to healthier lifestyles. The grants are funded through USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/fdpir/">Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations </a>(FDPIR) and will provide nutrition education materials and resources for children and parents in tribal communities in 9 states.</p>
<p>"USDA is committed to working with tribal communities to drive economic growth, create opportunities through business and agriculture, and to improve the health and well-being of native families," said Vilsack. "These grants will help tribal communities promote healthy kids and healthy families by making sure they have access to nutritious food, education and the support they need to ensure healthy habits. With that winning combination we can help to reduce and prevent childhood obesity and ensure a stronger future for Indian country."</p>
<p>Each year, Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies that administer FDPIR can apply for funding to expand nutrition education efforts. USDA chose 17 applicants, located in California, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, New Mexico and Alaska to receive FY 2012 funding to develop nutrition education projects that incorporate Dietary Guidelines recommendations within the Native American culture.</p>
<p>Projects chosen this year include a recipe toolkit containing menus, shopping lists, and snack ideas featuring more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; nutrition education sessions held during scheduled food deliveries for participants in remote reservation areas; and community gardens to promote fruit and vegetable consumption.</p>
<p>USDA chose grantees that will make a real difference in tribal communities. For example, one of the grantees will create a community garden to promote increased consumption of fruit and vegetables – an important recommendation in the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and something we all should strive for. Other projects include the development of a recipe toolkit that offers tasty menus and shopping tips, and nutrition education for Indian reservations located in remote areas.</p>
<p>The following is the list of grantees:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Alaska Native Health Consortium (Anchorage, Alas.), $62,500</li>
<li>Hoopa Valley Food Distribution Program (Hoopa, Calif.), $52,804</li>
<li>Sherwood Valley Food Program (Willets, Calif.), $36,711</li>
<li>Quechan Food Distribution Department (Winterhaven, Calif.), $10,811</li>
<li>Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Cass Lake, Minn.), $45,703</li>
<li>Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation (Box Elder, Mont.), $85,805</li>
<li>Confederated Salish &amp; Kootenai Tribes (Pablo, Mont.), $78,738</li>
<li>The Chickasaw Nation (Ada, Okla.), $115,021</li>
<li>Cheyenne and Arapaho Food Distribution Program (Watonga, Okla.), $41,786</li>
<li>Seminole Nation of Oklahoma (Wewoka, Okla.), $17,749</li>
<li>Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Indian Reservation, (Zuni, N.M.), $18,489</li>
<li>Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Mountain Plains Nutrition Advisory Committee (Pine Ridge, S.D.), $45,000</li>
<li>Lummi Indian Business Council (Bellingham, Wash.), $79,931</li>
<li>South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (Shelton, Wash.), $41,108</li>
<li>Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Indians Food Distribution Program for the Midwest Nutrition Advisory Committee (Bayfield, Wis.), $93,907</li>
<li>Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (Keshena, Wis.), $45,860</li>
<li>Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (Lac du Flambeau, Wis.), $39,950</li>
</ul><p>FDPIR provides foods to low-income households living on Indian reservations and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. Many households participate in the FDPIR as an alternative to the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, formerly known as Food Stamps.</p>
<p>Since coming to USDA, at the direction of President Obama, Secretary Vilsack has made improving relations with Native American Tribes a priority. He launched an Office of Tribal Relations within the Office of the Secretary and directed all USDA agencies be thoughtful about tribal issues and to engage in Tribal consultation and collaboration. In 2010, USDA announced the settlement of the long-standing Keepseagle case to bring justice and some measure of relief to Native American farmers and ranchers. We've supported native communities with financial support for electric, broadband and waste water infrastructure, and provided native families and businesses with home and business grants and loans. And we are participating in the First Lady's Lets Move in Indian Country initiative to combat childhood obesity in tribal communities.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/native-american" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">native american</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/family" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">family</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/nutrition-education" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">nutrition education</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:28:16 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"733 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:162;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:46:"USDA Celebrates National School Breakfast Week";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/008112";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5295:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act sets the table for a healthy start to school each day</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0081.12 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-03-05T00:00:00-05:00">03/05/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, March 5, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today marked National School Breakfast Week (March 5-9) by emphasizing the administration's commitment to provide schoolchildren with healthy, well-balanced meals to prepare them for a productive school day.</p>
<p>"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it helps keep kids alert and focused on learning," said Vilsack. "Thanks to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, we will be able to connect more eligible children with our school food programs and greatly improve the quality of meals served in schools."</p>
<p>The administration's commitment to increase participation in the School Breakfast Program has drawn national attention to the effort to continuously improve the health and nutrition of America's schoolchildren. To start each school day, the program gives more than 12 million children of all economic backgrounds a well-balanced, healthy meal consistent with the latest science and dietary guidelines.</p>
<p>"Participation in the School Breakfast Program is an important vehicle to meet the nutrition needs of children," said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. "Since President Obama signed the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act into law, USDA has worked with schools on innovative delivery strategies to meet the requirements for promoting the School Breakfast Program."</p>
<p>In January, USDA unveiled new standards for school meals that will result in healthier meals for nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day. USDA built the new rule around recommendations from a panel of experts convened by the Institute of Medicine —a gold standard for evidence-based health analysis. The standards were also updated with key changes from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans – the Federal government's benchmark for nutrition – and aimed to foster the kind of healthy changes at school that many parents are already trying to encourage at home, such as making sure that kids are offered both fruits and vegetables each day, more whole grains, and portion sizes and calorie counts designed to maintain a healthy weight.</p>
<p>The new standards are just one of five major components of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, now implemented or under development, that will work together to reform school nutrition. In addition to the updated meal standards, unprecedented improvements to come include:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>The ability to take nutrition standards beyond the lunchline for the first time ever, foods and beverages sold in vending machines and other venues on school campuses will also contribute to a healthy diet;</li>
<li>Increased funding for schools – an additional 6 cents a meal is the first real increase in 30 years – tied to strong performance in serving improved meals;</li>
<li>Common-sense pricing standards for schools to ensure that revenues from non-Federal sources keep pace with the Federal commitment to healthy school meals and properly align with costs; and</li>
<li>Training and technical assistance to help schools achieve and monitor compliance.</li>
</ul><p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program </a>and <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program">National School Lunch Program</a>, also include the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/">Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children</a>, and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/">Summer Food Service Program</a>. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:43:52 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"734 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:163;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"USDA Grants Support Local Efforts to Fight Hunger and Food Insecurity";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/005212";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6729:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0052.12 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jennifer Martin (202) 720-8188</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-02-15T00:00:00-05:00">02/15/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2012–The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today 27 grants to local organizations to build community food systems and fight hunger and food insecurity. The awards were made by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through its Community Food Projects program. The new projects, totaling $4.8 million in funding, include a teen-run community kitchen incubator, faith-based community food assessments, a program to help indigenous people return to healthful eating, and a youth-led food security movement. Community Food Projects have been funded in nearly 350 communities in 48 states in the program's 15-year history.</p>
<p>"Hunger remains an important issue in the United States. Last year, 17.2 million households faced food insecurity—meaning they lacked consistent access to adequate food," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "The grants supported by the Community Food Projects empower local organizations to respond to food and nutrition needs in their own communities."</p>
<p>The primary goals of the Community Food Projects program are to (1) meet the food needs of low-income individuals; (2) increase the food self-reliance of low-income communities; (3) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues; and (4) meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs, including needs relating to infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions and the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.</p>
<p>Fiscal Year 2011 awards include:</p>
<ul style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>Juneau Cooperative Christian Ministry, Juneau, Alaska, $93,825</li>
<li>International Sonoran Desert Alliance, Ajo, Ariz., $163,807</li>
<li>Developing Innovations in Navajo Education, Inc., Flagstaff, Ariz., $116,863</li>
<li>Uncommon Good, Claremont, Calif., $300,000</li>
<li>North Oxnard United Methodist Church, Oxnard, Calif., $24,884</li>
<li>Urban Tilth, Richmond, Calif., $300,000</li>
<li>North Coast Opportunities, Inc., Ukiah, Calif.; $300,000</li>
<li>Las Animas Helping Hands, Las Animas, Colo, $25,000</li>
<li>Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, Honolulu, Hawaii, $25, 000</li>
<li>Matthew 25 Ministry Hub, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, $25,000</li>
<li>Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture, Kansas City, Kansas, $124,587</li>
<li>Good Shepherd Food-Bank, Auburn, Maine, $25,000</li>
<li>Cultivating Community, Portland, Maine, $300,000</li>
<li>United Teen Equality Center, Lowell, Mass., $297,767</li>
<li>Regional Environmental Council, Worcester, Mass., $300,000</li>
<li>Youth Farm and Market Project, Minneapolis, Minn., $299,660</li>
<li>Rio Puerco Alliance, Santa Fe, N.M., $25,000</li>
<li>Society for the Preservation of Weeksville and Bedford Stuyvesant History, Brooklyn, N.Y., $197,500</li>
<li>PathStone Community Improvement of Newburgh, Newburgh, N.Y., $25,000</li>
<li>Why Hunger, New York City, N.Y., $250,000</li>
<li>Community Food Security Coalition, Portland, Ore, $250,000</li>
<li>Friends of Zenger Farm, Portland, Ore., $187,860</li>
<li>Urban Tree Connection, Philadelphia, Pa., $300,000</li>
<li>Women's Community Revitalization Project, Philadelphia, Pa., $269,317</li>
<li>Staunton Creative Community Fund, Inc., Staunton, Va., $25,000</li>
<li>Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Community Center, Madison, Wis., $298,930</li>
<li>Growing Power, Milwaukee, Wis., $250,000</li>
</ul><p> USDA's Household Food Security in the United States, 2010 report found that the percentage of very low food security declined from 5.7 percent of households in 2009 to 5.4 percent in 2010. The USDA study indicates that in 2010, 17.2 million households in America had difficulty providing enough food due to a lack of resources. The number of food insecure households in 2010 was relatively consistent with statistics released in 2008 and 2009.</p>
<p>The report also indicates that 59 percent of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest nutrition assistance programs near the time of the survey. In fiscal year 2010, these programs provided much needed food assistance to millions of individuals, children and families in need:</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">In an average month of fiscal year 2011, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided benefits to 44.7 million people in the United States.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">In fiscal year 2011, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provided meals to an average of 31.8 million children each school day.</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">In fiscal year 2011, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) served an average 9 million participants.</p>
<p>Food insecurity rates were substantially higher than the national average for households with incomes near or below the current federal poverty line ($22,350 for a family of four), households with children headed by single women or single men, and black and Hispanic households. Food insecurity was more common in large cities and rural areas than in suburban areas and other outlying areas around large cities. The media briefing kit can be obtained at <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/HouseholdFoodSecurity2010/">http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/HouseholdFoodSecurity2010/</a>.</p>
<p>Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.nifa.usda.gov">www.nifa.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:53:57 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"735 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"bryan";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:164;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:77:"First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates Second Anniversary of Let&#039;s Move!  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/004912";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8381:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Expansion of HealthierUS School Challenge Boosts Nutritional Outcomes for Nation&#039;s Schoolchildren</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0049.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-02-10T00:00:00-05:00">02/10/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><img alt="" src="//fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/boyandgirls_sfsp_0.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 205px; float: left; padding:0 10px 10px 0;" />First Lady Michelle Obama joined students, Top Chef chef'testants and the Dallas Cowboys at the Kleberg-Rylie Recreation Center today to highlight the Dallas Independent School Districts efforts to foster healthy, nutritious school environments as part of her three-day nationwide tour celebrating the second anniversary of <i>Let's Move!</i></p>
<p>"The First Lady's visit showcases the leadership role schools and school nutrition professionals play in shaping healthier eating and active lifestyle choices," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The schools honored today for their <a href="http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/healthierUS/application.html"> HealthierUS School Challenge</a> achievements are at the core of the nation's efforts to combat childhood obesity."</p>
<p>In February 2010, USDA and the First Lady called on stakeholders to double the number of Challenge schools - a milestone reached in June 2011 – and add 1,000 schools per year for two years after that. The First Lady announced today that 2,862 schools have now met the <a href="http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/healthierUS/application.html"> HealthierUS School Challenge</a>, surpassing the goals of this key component of her <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/"> Let's Move!</a> initiative.</p>
<p>Participating schools voluntarily adopt USDA standards for food they serve and agree to provide nutrition education while offering greater opportunities for physical activity. Schools can earn bronze, silver, gold and gold with distinction awards in the <a href="http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/healthierUS/application.html"> HealthierUS School Challenge</a>. The Dallas Independent School District has the most gold schools of any district in the country.</p>
<p>The First Lady joined chef'testants from past seasons of the Bravo cable channel hit series "Top Chef" and Dallas Cowboy players to highlight the work being done in school cafeterias across the country. Chefs have played a vital role in the <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/"> Let's Move!</a> initiative, teaming up with schools all across the country to work with school chefs on healthy school meals and teach kids about the importance of a nutritious diet. Approximately 3,400 chefs and 3,350 schools have signed up for <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/chefs-move-schools"> Chefs Move to Schools</a>, and the First Lady will announce a coalition that is working together to expand the program.</p>
<p class="BodyTextBlack">Since launching <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/"> Let's Move!</a> on February 9, 2010, significant progress has been made to solve the problem of childhood obesity. Parents, businesses, educators, elected officials, members of the military, chefs, physicians, athletes, childcare providers, community and faith-based leaders and kids themselves have made substantial commitments to improve the health of our nation's children. Working with the <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/"> Let's Move!</a> initiative, these groups have provided children with healthier foods and greater opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities, helped families get the information they need to make healthier decisions, supported a healthy start in early childhood, and worked to ensure that more people have access to healthy, affordable food.</p>
<p>The legislative centerpiece of the <i>Let's Move!</i> initiative, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 marked a great win for the nearly 32 million school children that participate in the National School Lunch Program and the 12 million school children that participate in the School Breakfast Program each school day. Key accomplishments from the Act in the first year include:</p>
<ul><li><i>Nutrition Standards for School Meals:</i> USDA proposed new meal patterns and nutrition standards that align school meals with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, analyzed over 130,000 public comments, and used them in drafting a final regulation for publication.</li>
<li><i>Common Sense Standards for Revenue:</i> USDA issued new rules to ensure that all revenues from school food sales keep pace with the Federal commitment to healthy school meals and properly align with costs, providing local schools as much as $7.5 billion over 5 years to invest in healthier meals for children.</li>
<li><i>Nationwide Expansion of At-Risk Afterschool Meals:</i> USDA worked closely with states to expand the availability of afterschool meals across the nation through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. USDA estimates this expansion could provide supper to an additional 140,000 kids in low-income areas.</li>
<li><i>Categorical Eligibility for Foster Children:</i> USDA issued guidance and provided technical assistance to states to ensure that more than 400,000 children in foster care are certified to receive free meals in all USDA child nutrition programs.</li>
<li><i>Strengthening Direct Certification:</i> USDA provided guidance, technical assistance and grant funding to states to improve their direct certification systems to help more children already receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).</li>
<li><i>Implementing Community Eligibility:</i> USDA is working with three states – Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan – to implement a "community eligibility" approach to reimburse schools for meals without the need for paper applications.</li>
<li><i>Simplified Area Eligibility for Family Day Care Homes: </i>USDA provided guidance to states to simplify the kinds of information that family day care home providers can use to qualify for participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.</li>
<li><i>Improved School Wellness Promotion:</i> USDA provided guidance to enhance local wellness policies in schools in order to promote healthier lifestyles for children.</li>
<li><i>Bolster Farm to School Connections:</i> New USDA policy ensures that children have access to fresh produce and other agricultural products and give a much-needed boost to local farmers and agricultural producers.</li>
</ul><p>FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov"> www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:45:39 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"364 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"admin";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:165;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:80:"USDA Announces Latest Actions to Combat Fraud and Enhance SNAP Program Integrity";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:51:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/004212-0";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6472:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Strengthened Measures Help Fight Fraud in Nation&#039;s Most Critical Nutrition Assistance Program</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">004212</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-02-06T00:00:00-05:00">02/06/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2012 – USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced first quarter results for fiscal year 2012 in the effort to identify and eliminate fraudulent retailers from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). From October 1 through December 31, 2011, USDA staff took final actions to:</p>
<ul><li>Sanction, through fines or temporary disqualifications, more than 225 stores found violating program rules; and</li>
<li>Permanently disqualify over 350 stores for trafficking in SNAP benefits (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash).</li>
</ul><p>These enforcement actions are part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste and root out fraud and abuse in federal programs, including SNAP. While fraud is a relatively limited problem in SNAP – the violating stores represent less than ½ of one percent of more than 230,000 food stores authorized to redeem benefits – no level of fraud is tolerated. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service conducts ongoing surveillance and investigation, to find bad actors and remove them from the program. In fiscal year 2011, FNS reviewed over 15,000 stores, and permanently disqualified over 1,200 for program violations.</p>
<p>"I'm pleased to report today to American taxpayers the first quarter results of our anti-fraud efforts in 2012," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "Americans expect and deserve a government that ensures their hard-earned tax dollars are managed with accountability and integrity. We are committed to ensuring these dollars are spent as intended - helping millions of people in need through tough economic times until they can get back on their feet."</p>
<p>USDA is building upon strategies recently announced to further strengthen anti-fraud efforts in the retailer application process. To help reduce the number of disqualified stores that return to the program by falsifying information in their applications, USDA is announcing new measures to strengthen the program:</p>
<ul><li>Increasing documentation required for high-risk stores applying to redeem SNAP benefits to better verify their identity and assure their business integrity. High-risk stores are those located at the site of a previous disqualification.</li>
<li>Verifying high-risk stores to confirm application information. High-risk stores are those located at the site of a previous disqualification. Store owners found to have falsified information with the intent to hide ownership or past violations will be charged, disqualified and may be liable for a $10,000 fine or imprisonment for as long as 5 years or both.</li>
<li>Continuing to notify state departments and federal agency partners about violators to better protect our public programs. This includes information on program recipients with suspicious transactions at stores known to be trafficking for further investigation by States.</li>
</ul><p>In addition, USDA will soon publish a proposed rule strengthening sanctions and penalties for retailers who commit fraud in SNAP. USDA's new Fighting SNAP Fraud website ( <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fightingsnapfraud" target="extWindow" title="Opens in new window.">www.fns.usda.gov/fightingsnapfraud</a>) will also help raise awareness of the issues and provide a direct portal to report suspicious activities.</p>
<p>"Fraud is not a static concept – we know that where there is a will to commit malfeasance, bad actors will try to find a way," said Concannon. "That's why USDA is constantly striving to stay ahead of the curve. The comparison I frequently make is in the area of cyber security. The need for continuously updating information security measures is frequently noted in the private sector, because hackers and other bad actors are always looking for ways to exploit systems."</p>
<p>"However, it is important not to demonize SNAP participants and retailers when referencing fraud because the vast majority of people participating in the program, both retailers and SNAP participants, abide by the rules. Our goal is to eliminate fraud and we will continue to crack down on individuals who violate the program and misuse taxpayer dollars," Concannon noted.</p>
<p>Concannon announced new anti-fraud activities in December. Today's announcement continues the USDA's commitment to promote integrity in SNAP, in order to assure the public's confidence in this critical nutrition assistance program that serves over 46 million low-income and working Americans.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that in addition to SNAP include the National School Lunch Programs, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs serve as America's nutrition safety net.</p>
<p>Program fraud complaints of any kind may be filed with the USDA Office of Inspector General; contact information is found at: <a href="http://www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm">http://www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm</a>. Fraud may also be reported to the appropriate States. Phone numbers are available at <a href="/program-integrity">http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/fraud.pdf</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 27 Jan 2014 18:48:08 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"11038 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:166;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:80:"USDA Announces Latest Actions to Combat Fraud and Enhance SNAP Program Integrity";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2012/004212";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6907:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Strengthened Measures Help Fight Fraud in Nation&#039;s Most Critical Nutrition Assistance Program</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0042.12</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-02-06T00:00:00-05:00">02/06/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced first quarter results for fiscal year 2012 in the effort to identify and eliminate fraudulent retailers from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). From October 1 through December 31, 2011, USDA staff took final actions to:</p>
<ul><li>Sanction, through fines or temporary disqualifications, more than 225 stores found violating program rules; and</li>
<li>Permanently disqualify over 350 stores for trafficking in SNAP benefits (i.e. exchanging SNAP benefits for cash).</li>
</ul><p>These enforcement actions are part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste and root out fraud and abuse in federal programs, including SNAP. While fraud is a relatively limited problem in SNAP – the violating stores represent less than ½ of one percent of more than 230,000 food stores authorized to redeem benefits – no level of fraud is tolerated. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service conducts ongoing surveillance and investigation, to find bad actors and remove them from the program. In fiscal year 2011, FNS reviewed over 15,000 stores, and permanently disqualified over 1,200 for program violations.</p>
<p>"I'm pleased to report today to American taxpayers the first quarter results of our anti-fraud efforts in 2012," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "Americans expect and deserve a government that ensures their hard-earned tax dollars are managed with accountability and integrity. We are committed to ensuring these dollars are spent as intended - helping millions of people in need through tough economic times until they can get back on their feet."</p>
<p>USDA is building upon strategies recently announced to further strengthen anti-fraud efforts in the retailer application process. To help reduce the number of disqualified stores that return to the program by falsifying information in their applications, USDA is announcing new measures to strengthen the program:</p>
<ul><li>Increasing documentation required for high-risk stores applying to redeem SNAP benefits to better verify their identity and assure their business integrity. High-risk stores are those located at the site of a previous disqualification.</li>
<li>Verifying high-risk stores to confirm application information. High-risk stores are those located at the site of a previous disqualification. Store owners found to have falsified information with the intent to hide ownership or past violations will be charged, disqualified and may be liable for a $10,000 fine or imprisonment for as long as 5 years or both.</li>
<li>Continuing to notify state departments and federal agency partners about violators to better protect our public programs. This includes information on program recipients with suspicious transactions at stores known to be trafficking for further investigation by States.</li>
</ul><p>In addition, USDA will soon publish a proposed rule strengthening sanctions and penalties for retailers who commit fraud in SNAP. USDA's new Fighting SNAP Fraud website (<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fightingsnapfraud" target="_blank">www.fns.usda.gov/fightingsnapfraud</a>) will also help raise awareness of the issues and provide a direct portal to report suspicious activities.</p>
<p>"Fraud is not a static concept – we know that where there is a will to commit malfeasance, bad actors will try to find a way," said Concannon. "That's why USDA is constantly striving to stay ahead of the curve. The comparison I frequently make is in the area of cyber security. The need for continuously updating information security measures is frequently noted in the private sector, because hackers and other bad actors are always looking for ways to exploit systems."</p>
<p>"However, it is important not to demonize SNAP participants and retailers when referencing fraud because the vast majority of people participating in the program, both retailers and SNAP participants, abide by the rules. Our goal is to eliminate fraud and we will continue to crack down on individuals who violate the program and misuse taxpayer dollars," Concannon noted.</p>
<p>Concannon announced new anti-fraud activities in December. Today's announcement continues the USDA's commitment to promote integrity in SNAP, in order to assure the public's confidence in this critical nutrition assistance program that serves over 46 million low-income and working Americans.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that in addition to SNAP include the National School Lunch Programs, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs serve as America's nutrition safety net.</p>
<p>Program fraud complaints of any kind may be filed with the USDA Office of Inspector General; contact information is found at: <a href="http://www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm" target="_blank">http://www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm</a>. Fraud may also be reported to the appropriate States. Phone numbers are available at <a href="/program-integrity" target="_blank">http://www.fns.usda.gov/program-integrity</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:57:51 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"365 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"admin";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:167;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:73:"USDA Unveils Historic Improvements to Meals Served in America’s Schools";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:44:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/002312";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6784:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">New Standards Will Improve the Health and Well Being of 32 Million Kids Nationwide</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0023.12 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2012-01-25T00:00:00-05:00">01/25/2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today unveiled new <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/nutritionstandards.htm" target="_blank">standards for school meals</a> that will result in healthier meals for kids across the nation. The new meal requirements will raise standards for the first time in more than fifteen years and improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million kids that participate in school meal programs every school day. The healthier meal requirements are a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which was championed by the First Lady as part of her Let’s Move! campaign and signed into law by President Obama.</p>
<p>As parents, we try to prepare decent meals, limit how much junk food our kids eat, and ensure they have a reasonably balanced diet,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “And when we’re putting in all that effort the last thing we want is for our hard work to be undone each day in the school cafeteria. When we send our kids to school, we expect that they won’t be eating the kind of fatty, salty, sugary foods that we try to keep them from eating at home. We want the food they get at school to be the same kind of food we would serve at our own kitchen tables.”</p>
<p>“Improving the quality of the school meals is a critical step in building a healthy future for our kids,” said Vilsack. “When it comes to our children, we must do everything possible to provide them the nutrition they need to be healthy, active and ready to face the future – today we take an important step towards that goal.”</p>
<p>The final standards make the same kinds of practical changes that many parents are already encouraging at home, including:</p>
<ul><li>Ensuring students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week</li>
<li>Substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods;</li>
<li>Offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties;</li>
<li>Limiting calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size; and</li>
<li>Increasing the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.</li>
</ul><p>A sample lunch menu with a before and after comparison is available to view and download in <a href="/sites/default/files/cnr_chart.pdf" target="_blank">PDF</a> and <a href="/sites/default/files/cnr_chart.jpg" target="_blank">JPG</a> formats.  </p>
<p>USDA built the new rule around recommendations from a panel of experts convened by the Institute of Medicine —a gold standard for evidence-based health analysis. The standards were also updated with key changes from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans – the Federal government’s benchmark for nutrition – and aimed to foster the kind of healthy changes at school that many parents are already trying to encourage at home, such as making sure that kids are offered both fruits and vegetables each day, more whole grains, and portion sizes and calorie counts designed to maintain a healthy weight.</p>
<p>USDA received an unprecedented 132,000 public comments on its proposed standards (available on the web at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/" target="_blank">www.regulations.gov</a>) – and made modifications to the proposed rule where appropriate. USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon said: “We know that robust public input is essential to developing successful standards and the final standards took a number of suggestions from stakeholders, school food service professions and parents to make important operational changes while maintaining nutritional integrity.”</p>
<p>The new standards are expected to cost $3.2 billion over the next five years -- less than half of the estimated cost of the proposed rule and are just one of five major components of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, now implemented or under development, that will work together to reform school nutrition. In addition to the updated meal standards, unprecedented improvements to come include:</p>
<ul><li><i><b>The ability to take nutrition standards beyond the lunchline</b></i> for the first time ever, foods and beverages sold in vending machines and other venues on school campuses will also contribute to a healthy diet;</li>
<li><i><b>Increased funding for schools</b></i> – an additional 6 cents a meal is the first real increase in 30 years – tied to strong performance in serving improved meals;</li>
<li><i><b>Common-sense pricing standards for schools</b></i> to ensure that revenues from non-Federal sources keep pace with the Federal commitment to healthy school meals and properly align with costs; and</li>
<li><i><b>Training and technical assistance</b></i> to help schools achieve and monitor compliance.</li>
</ul><p>The final nutrition standards released today also provide more time for schools to implement key changes, which will be largely phased in over a three-year period, starting in School Year 2012-2013. For example, schools will be permitted to focus on changes in the lunches in the first year, with most changes in breakfast phased in during future years.</p>
<p>USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/" target="_blank">Food and Nutrition Service</a> administers 15 nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Summer Food Service Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:07:09 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"366 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"admin";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:168;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:99:"USDA Helps Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to Improve Nutrition of School-Aged Kids";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/fns-000611";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4428:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0006.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact: Bruce Alexander FNS (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-12-29T00:00:00-05:00">12/29/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="text-align: left; ">WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2011 – USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced awards to help four states improve enrollment in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs through a process called direct certification. Direct certification requires states and local educational agencies to automatically enroll students from households already participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, without an additional application from the child’s family to assist low-income households with children eligible for free meals at school. </span></p>
<p>“Direct certification helps ensure that every eligible child has access to the healthy nutrition provided by USDA’s school meals programs,” said Concannon. “Today’s awards will assist states in implementing their plans to streamline the certification process so that children can get access to the nutrition they need to learn and thrive, while decreasing administrative errors and waste.” </p>
<p>Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania were chosen to receive the grants totaling about $2.2 million, provided by the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Act of 2010. The grants are intended to help states improve direct certification rates for children in households receiving SNAP benefits. </p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) expects to award additional grants to states meeting eligibility requirements each quarter over the next year. Twenty Direct Certification Grants totaling more than $6 million have been made to 16 states since January, including the grants announced today. </p>
<p>Championed by First Lady Michelle Obama as part of her Let’s Move! initiative, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 marked a great win for the nearly 32 million school children that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs each school day. USDA is working to implement historic reforms that will mark the most comprehensive change to food in schools in more than a generation. USDA’s efforts to improve and enhance the school food environment include: updated school meals nutrition standards to increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; science-based standards for all foods and beverages sold on the school campus; performance-based funding increases for schools – the first real increase in 30 years; and training and technical assistance to help schools meet improved standards. </p>
<p>FNS administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net. </p>
<p>For more information about the Direct Certification Grants, visit:<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm" target="_blank">http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/direct-certification" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">direct certification</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:55:01 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"857 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:169;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:81:"USDA Celebrates One Year Anniversary of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/051211";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9840:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Department Takes Historic Steps to Stem Hunger, Improve Nutrition and Curb Obesity for Nation&amp;#39;s Children</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0512.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Contact:  USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-12-13T00:00:00-05:00">12/13/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2011 — First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted the achievements of the historic <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010</a>, one year after the legislation was enacted to combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation's children.</p>
<p>"The success of our nation tomorrow depends on the choices we make for our kids today. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is vital to the health and welfare of our kids, helping them build the healthy futures they deserve," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "We've seen the connection between what our kids eat and how well they perform in school. And we know that America's success in the 21st century means having the best-prepared and best-educated workforce around. So it is critical that we work to ensure that all children have the basic nutrition they need to learn, grow, and to pursue their dreams. As we celebrate the many accomplishments of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act's first year, we also pledge to continue taking bold steps forward to advance this goal." </p>
<p>"The strength of our communities, our economy, and our national security, rely on the health of our children," said Vilsack. "The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act strengthens the school nutrition environment, expands access to healthy meals, and simplifies processes so every child can receive a well-balanced school meal. And today, we celebrate those important accomplishments and look forward to those achievements which are still to come.</p>
<p>The Act makes many critical improvements to the child nutrition programs that serve millions of children across our country each day. It provides for improved access to nutrition assistance to make it easier for children to get nutritious meals when they are away from home. The legislation also improves the entire nutrition environment in schools and will enhance understanding of the causes and consequences of hunger and food insecurity among children The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 advances the goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, which is at the heart of the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative.</p>
<p>USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon said, "School nutrition improvements are an investment in our children's future. By working together, USDA and its partners can make these changes happen to feed every child the nutritious food they deserve – to excel and thrive in their lives.</p>
<p>The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 marked a great win for the nearly 32 million school children that participate in the National School Lunch and the 12 million school children that participate in the School Breakfast Programs each school day. USDA is working to implement historic reforms that will mark the most comprehensive change to food in schools in more than a generation. USDA's efforts to improve and enhance the school food environment include: updated school meals nutrition standards to increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; science-based standards for all foods and beverages sold on the school campus; performance-based funding increases for schools – the first real increase in 30 years; and training and technical assistance to help schools meet improved standards. </p>
<p>Key accomplishments from the Act in the first year include:</p>
<ul><li><i>Nutrition Standards for School Meals:</i> USDA proposed new meal patterns and nutrition standards that align school meals with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, analyzed over 130,000 public comments, and used them in drafting a final regulation for publication.</li>
<li><i>Common Sense Standards for Revenue:</i> USDA issued new rules to ensure that all revenues from school food sales keep pace with the Federal commitment to healthy school meals and properly align with costs, providing local schools as much as $7.5 billion over 5 years to invest in healthier meals for children.</li>
<li><i>Nationwide Expansion of At-Risk Afterschool Meals:</i> USDA worked closely with states to expand the availability of afterschool meals across the nation through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. USDA estimates this expansion could provide supper to an additional 140,000 kids in low-income areas.</li>
<li><i>Categorical Eligibility for Foster Children:</i> USDA issued guidance and provided technical assistance to states to ensure that more than 400,000 children in foster care are certified to receive free meals in all USDA child nutrition programs.</li>
<li><i>Strengthening Direct Certification:</i> USDA provided guidance, technical assistance and grant funding to states to improve their direct certification systems to help more children already receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).</li>
<li><i>Implementing Community Eligibility:</i> USDA is working with three states – Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan – to implement a "community eligibility" approach to reimburse schools for meals without the need for paper applications.</li>
<li><i>Simplified Area Eligibility for Family Day Care Homes:</i> USDA provided guidance to states to simplify the kinds of information that family day care home providers can use to qualify for participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.</li>
<li><i>Improved School Wellness Promotion:</i> USDA provided guidance to enhance local wellness policies in schools in order to promote healthier lifestyles for children.</li>
<li><i>Bolster Farm to School Connections:</i> New USDA policy ensures that children have access to fresh produce and other agricultural products and give a much-needed boost to local farmers and agricultural producers.</li>
</ul><p>Key accomplishments from the Act expected in the coming year and beyond:</p>
<ul><li><i>Nutrition Standards for School Meals:</i></li>
<p> USDA anticipates finalizing the actual standards to align school meals with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in early 2012.
</p><li><i><i>Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School:</i> USDA plans to propose new standards for foods sold in school other than reimbursable meals, such as those in school stores, a la carte lines, and vending machines.</i></li>
<li><i><i>Implementation of Performance-Based Reimbursement:</i> The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act included the first real reimbursement rate increase for school meals in roughly 30 years. These funds are tied to performance in meeting the updated nutrition standards for school meals. USDA plans to begin issuing these funds in 2012.</i></li>
<li><i><i>Implementing Direct Certification using Medicaid Data:</i> USDA will select states to participate in a demonstration project to test the use of Medicaid data for connecting eligible children with free school meals.</i></li>
<li><i><i>Nutrition Standards for the Child and Adult Care Food Program:</i> USDA will propose updated standards for child and adult care settings, as well as other early learning settings that participate in CACFP, to better align the meals served with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.</i></li>
<li><i><i>Implementing Community Eligibility:</i> USDA plans to continue evaluating the current States participating in community eligibility and expanding to others.</i></li>
</ul><p><i>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</i></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Hunger-Free Kids Act</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:02:33 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"858 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:170;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:77:"USDA Announces New Tactics to Combat Fraud and Enhance SNAP Program Integrity";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/050311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9052:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Obama Administration Initiates Unprecedented Efforts to Protect Taxpayer Dollars</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0503.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-12-06T00:00:00-05:00">12/06/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced a new range of aggressive tactics to further improve program integrity of USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly known as food stamps. The announcement is part of the Obama Administration's ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste which highlights efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse so that federal dollars are invested wisely. The tactics announced by USDA underscore an unprecedented approach to combat trafficking – the use of SNAP benefits for anything other than the purchase of food from authorized retailers, including the sale or exchange of benefits in SNAP.</p>
<p>"SNAP has never been more important as hardworking families turn to the program for assistance while they get back on their feet," said Concannon. "This Administration is committed to meeting the highest standards when it comes to protecting taxpayer dollars and enhancing the integrity of the program to ensure those dollars are invested wisely so the American people can have confidence in overall program performance as it serves as an important safety net for those in need."</p>
<p>Although the trafficking rate has been driven down significantly over the last two decades – from about 4 cents on the dollar in 1993 to about 1 cent in 2006-08 – USDA has increased its efforts to reduce trafficking by working with state agencies and state-of-the-art technologies. USDA awarded a <a href="http://www.sra.com/news/press-releases/2009/phoenix842d.php">ten-year contract</a> to SRA International, Inc. to develop the next generation of its fraud detection system.</p>
<p>Actions USDA announced today to further reduce SNAP fraud include:</p>
<ul><li><b>Policy clarification that the "intent to sell" SNAP benefits is a program violation.</b> Some traffickers have advertised their intent to sell benefits on Craigslist, Facebook, and other social media. New USDA guidance makes clear that this action has similar consequences to an intentional program violation, which can include disqualification from SNAP.</li>
<li><b>New guidance to States underscoring their responsibility to use the results of FNS retailer actions to investigate and penalize recipients that may have been involved</b> in trafficking with that retailer. USDA maintains a wealth of data that it expects States to use in their efforts to pursue bad actors who misuse the program.</li>
<li><b>New rules that expand and clarify the definition of trafficking</b> to include abuse of container deposits and the sale of benefits. A proposal was published in June for public review and comment – a final rule will be published shortly.</li>
<li><b>Stronger sanctions and penalties for retailers</b> to allow USDA to take more aggressive action against those that violate program rules and give responsible retailers a bad name. USDA will publish a proposed rule for public comments in Spring 2012.</li>
<li><b>Clear policy guidance on additional steps available to States to combat recipient trafficking.</b> Some States would like to take stronger investigative actions against households that request an excessive amount of replacement benefit cards. USDA is offering examples of what States are currently doing in this area and what is possible within current policy limitations.</li>
<li><b>Upgrades and enhancements to USDA's retailer surveillance system technologies</b> to keep pace with new trafficking strategies. USDA is on track to implement these improvements by June 2012.</li>
<li><b>Renewed partnership efforts with States to increase and improve our collective efforts against trafficking – both from the retailer side and the recipient side.</b> USDA is sharing with States best practices from other states, and listening to what they have to say about possible policy changes that would help in this effort.</li>
<li><b>Reengineering FNS retailer management processes to increase efficiency.</b> By coordinating its business processes more effectively, USDA will be better positioned to combat abuse.</li>
</ul><p>USDA is working on behalf of American taxpayers to protect the Federal investment in SNAP and make sure the program is targeted towards those families who need it the most. To further this effort, USDA focuses on three key areas of oversight:</p>
<p>Reducing Improper Payments and Errors: USDA works to make sure that only those families who are actually eligible for the program participate, and that the correct amount of benefits is provided to them. Over the past decade, USDA has made major strides to improve the accuracy of SNAP's eligibility determination and benefit payment systems.</p>
<ul><li>SNAP's Quality Control (QC) system earns a solid "A" grade. Over 98% of those receiving SNAP benefits are eligible and payment accuracy was 96.19%--a historic high.</li>
<li>Reducing errors saves valuable resources. Payment errors are less than half what they were ten years ago, which has reduced improper payments by $3.3 billion in 2010.</li>
</ul><p><b style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Pursuing Recipient Fraud:</b><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"> While it occurs relatively infrequently, USDA recognizes that program fraud undermines public confidence in government and the program. This jeopardizes the ability of SNAP to serve over 20 million struggling families who currently need it the most. USDA works through our state partners to investigate recipient fraud and hold bad actors accountable. Recipients who purposely commit fraud to get benefits are subject to disqualification.</span></p>
<ul><li>Fraud investigations yield results for taxpayers. In fiscal year 2010, States conducted 847,136 fraud investigations. In fiscal year 2011, States disqualified 44,483 individuals.</li>
</ul><p><b>Combating Abuse and Misuse of Benefits:</b> The sale/purchase of SNAP benefits for cash is called trafficking, an illegal activity punishable by criminal prosecution. Over the last 15 years, USDA has aggressively implemented a number of measures to reduce the prevalence of trafficking in SNAP from 4 percent down to its current level of 1 percent. USDA also continues to work closely with its state, federal, and retailer partners to investigate and prosecute trafficking.</p>
<ul><li>Trafficking is not tolerated. In FY 2011, 40 FNS investigators around the country conducted nearly 5,000 undercover investigations.</li>
<li>Bad actors are removed from the program. Over the last ten years, over 8,300 retail stores were permanently disqualified due to trafficking.</li>
</ul><p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that in addition to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Programs, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
<p>Program fraud complaints of any kind may be filed with the USDA Office of Inspector General; contact information is found at: <a href="http://www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm">http://www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm</a> Fraud may also be reported to State fraud hotlines which are available at <a href="/program-integrity">http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/fraud.pdf</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).</em></p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:36:47 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"369 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"admin";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:171;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:71:"USDA Awards Grants to Improve Kids&#039; Nutrition Access During Summer";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/fns-000511";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4588:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS-0005.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Public Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-12-01T00:00:00-05:00">12/01/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced significant investments in states and tribal areas across the country to test innovative ways to address a critical need – providing low-income children with access to healthy nutrition during the summer.</p>
<p>“Low-income children are at a heightened risk for food insecurity in the summer months, when schools are closed and many low-income children find it difficult to get the healthy nutrition they need,” Concannon said. “These projects offer a wonderful opportunity to build on the success of the Summer Food Service Program and explore new ways to combat childhood hunger.”</p>
<p>The $5.5 million in grant awards announced today – the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children Demonstrations (SEBTC) – are a result of requirements included by Congress in the fiscal year 2010 appropriations. That Act required USDA to test different methods of providing low-income children improved access to food during the summer months. Today’s announced projects will use the electronic benefit infrastructure of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to give low-income families with school-age children more food resources to use at the store during the summer. Families will receive a card, similar to a debit card, which they can use in stores to buy food.</p>
<p>Five states will receive grants to continue their 2011 demonstrations in 2012 (four will also expand their reach into new areas within the state), and five states and tribal entities will begin new demonstration projects. The projects will provide food for about 75,000 low-income children in rural and urban areas. Grantees include:</p>
<ul><li>Michigan (WIC) – Grand Rapids and Clare, Gladwin, Midland, Arenac, Bay, and Tuscola Counties</li>
<li>Texas (WIC) – El Paso</li>
<li>Connecticut (SNAP) – Windham, New London and Tolland Counties</li>
<li>Missouri (SNAP) – Kansas City and Saint Louis</li>
<li>Oregon (SNAP) – Linn, Jefferson and Marion Counties</li>
</ul><p>Awards also include the following new states and tribal entities:</p>
<ul><li>Cherokee Nation (WIC) –Adair, Cherokee, Delaware, Mayes, and Sequoyah Counties</li>
<li>Chickasaw Nation (WIC) – Carter, Coal, Garvin, Johnston, Marshall, McLain, Murray, and Pontotoc Counties</li>
<li>Nevada (WIC) – Douglas, Lyon, and Washoe Counties</li>
<li>Delaware (SNAP) – New Castle County</li>
<li>Washington (SNAP) – Clark County</li>
</ul><p>These demonstrations complement others that operated last summer to test enhancements to USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a vital part of America’s nutrition safety net, which serves more than 2 million children every summer. All of these projects will provide critical information about the impact of cutting-edge nutrition interventions on achieving real progress in the fight against hunger among our children during the summer months.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs including SFSP, SNAP, WIC, the National School Lunch Program; and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net.<br />USDA administers these programs in partnership with State and local agencies, and works with faith and community-based organizations to ensure that nutrition assistance is available to those in need. Additional information about the programs can be found at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov"><span style="font-weight: 400"> www.fns.usda.gov</span></a>.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:51:53 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"370 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"admin";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:172;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:66:"USDA Invests in Research on Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/045411";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6273:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0454.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Mary Reardon (202) 694-5136</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-10-21T00:00:00-04:00">10/21/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, October 21, 2011—Agriculture Under Secretary Dr. Catherine Woteki today announced new research grants and cooperative agreement awards in eight states and the District of Columbia designed to examine, evaluate, and enhance the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p>"USDA is working every day to invest wisely and to make sure that our nutrition assistance programs are a bridge to success for hard-working Americans and their families," said Woteki. "By investing in research on nutrition programs, we can help maximize their effectiveness and efficiency, benefitting millions of Americans."</p>
<p>USDA continues to enhance nutrition program integrity and delivery even as demand has increased in response to national economic conditions. This year, USDA is investing in process improvement efforts that examine local office processes and identify and implement efficiencies. The department is also interested in funding projects that use technology to achieve procedural changes, such as document imaging, telephone interviews or Web-based access to case status information.</p>
<p>The grants and cooperative agreements will fund projects in California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. The projects will examine a number of program-related issues, including:</p>
<ul><li>the effect of new food packages for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, on the prevalence of breastfeeding;</li>
<li>the effect of switching to electronic benefits transfer (EBT) in WIC on benefit redemptions;</li>
<li>the effect of the new WIC food packages on participants' food choices;</li>
<li>beverage choices made by WIC participants;</li>
<li>the effect of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on food choices;</li>
<li>how state program policies and local labor market conditions affect  food assistance program participation; and</li>
<li>the impacts of food assistance programs on alternative methods of assessing poverty.</li>
</ul><p>USDA's food and nutrition assistance programs—including SNAP, WIC, and the school meals programs—affect the lives of millions of people each day. About one in four Americans participates in at least one food assistance program at some point during the year.</p>
<p>The research projects are competitively awarded by USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) through a publicly announced and peer-reviewed process. These competitive grants and cooperative agreements fund research on the relationships among food assistance programs, food choices, and the economy; and on using behavioral economics and incentives to promote child nutrition. The latter topic is part of an ongoing collaboration with USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) initiated in FY 2010 to develop a research program in behavioral economics as applied to USDA's child nutrition programs.</p>
<p>Following is a complete list of 2011 awards and recipients.</p>
<p><strong>Food Assistance Programs, Food Choices, and the Economy</strong></p>
<p>Dr. Theodore Joyce, Cambridge, MA, National Bureau of Economic Research<br />Effect of New WIC Food Packages on Breastfeeding and Food Package Choices ($198,000)</p>
<p>Mr. Loren Bell, Ann Arbor, MI, Altarum Institute<br />An Examination of WIC Participant Redemption Patterns In Kentucky Prior to and After Implementation of Electronic Benefits Transfer ($176,000)</p>
<p>Dr. Carol Spaulding, College Station, TX, Texas A&amp;M University<br />Using the National Food and Nutrition Survey (NATFAN) to Examine WIC Participant Food Choices and Intakes Before and After Changes in the Food Benefit ($200,000)</p>
<p>Dr. Tatiana Andreyeva, New Haven, CT, Yale University<br />The Economics of Beverage Choices among WIC and SNAP participants ($129,000)</p>
<p>Dr. Tullaya Boonsaeng, Clemson, SC, Clemson University<br />The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Household Spending: A Flexible Demand System Approach ($105,000)</p>
<p>Dr. Caroline Danielson, San Francisco, CA, Public Policy Institute of California<br />Local Area Determinants of Nutrition Assistance Program Caseloads ($221,000)</p>
<p>Dr. Linda Giannarelli, Washington, DC, The Urban Institute<br />The Effect of Food Programs on Alternative Poverty Measures ($171,000)</p>
<p><strong>Using Behavioral Economics and Incentives to Promote Child Nutrition</strong></p>
<p>Dr. David Just, Ithaca, NY, Cornell University<br />Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs (additional funding -$571,000)</p>
<p>Dr. Joseph Price, Provo, UT, Brigham Young University<br />Using Nudges and Incentives to Promote Long-Run Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in Children ($244,000)</p>
<p>Dr. Gregory Madden, Logan, UT, Utah State University<br />Long-term Effects of Incentivizing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption ($155,000)</p>
<p>* Rounded to nearest 1,000.</p>
<p>Further information is available on the Web at <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/about-ers/grant-funding-opportunities.aspx">www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FoodNutritionAssistance/Compgrants.htm</a>, or from program contact David Smallwood at (202) 694-5466 or <a href="mailto:mailto:dsmallwd@ers.usda.gov">dsmallwd@ers.usda.gov</a> .</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:13:18 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"891 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:173;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:114:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Joins First Lady Michelle Obama to Salute HealthierUS School Challenge Award Winners";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/045011";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6182:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Schools Meet First Lady&#039;s HealthierUS School Challenge Goal with Over 1250 Receiving Honors for Expanding Nutrition and Physical Activity Opportunities&#039;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0450.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-10-17T00:00:00-04:00">10/17/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined First Lady Michelle Obama to honor schools taking part in USDA's <a href="/hussc/healthierus-school-challenge">HealthierUS School Challenge</a>. The First Lady hosted a reception on the South Lawn to honor the 1,273 schools that met her goal to double the number of participants in the Challenge in a year. The Challenge recognizes schools that create healthier school environments by providing exceptional nutrition education, nutritious food and beverage choices, physical education and opportunities for physical activity.</p>
<p>"Educators see firsthand the impact that childhood obesity has on our children's lives -not just on their physical and emotional health, but on their academic success as well. That's why our nation's educators have been leaders in this movement to end the epidemic of childhood obesity in America," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "Today, we're not just thanking these educators, but encouraging them to continue that leadership, to reach out and help other schools by sharing good ideas and best practices, and encouraging and inspiring each other. The HealthierUS Schools Competition is a competition every school in America can win. And when our schools win, our kids win and our country wins."</p>
<p>"Achieving the HealthierUS School Challenge recognition demonstrates a school's deep commitment to create and maintain a healthy school environment," Vilsack said. "The schools we are recognizing today have already made great progress toward meeting the school meals improvements set forth in the <a href="/school-meals/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act">Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act</a> - and can serve as models for others seeking to make improvements. By providing access to nutritious foods and promoting physical activity in our schools, we can reinforce the healthy habits that many parents are already teaching at home and help our children reach their full potential."</p>
<p>The <a href="/hussc/healthierus-school-challenge">HealthierUS School Challenge</a> is a key component of First Lady Michelle Obama's <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let's Move!</a> initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. In February 2010, USDA and the First Lady called on stakeholders to double the number of Challenge schools - a goal reached in June 2011 - and add 1,000 schools per year for two years after that.</p>
<p>The Challenge schools honored at the White House voluntarily agreed to provide healthy meals based on the <a href="http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a>, including a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain foods, and fat-free or low fat milk. Challenge schools also have to agree to provide nutrition education and to provide opportunities for physical activity. Schools participating in the Challenge are recognized with Gold Award of Distinction, Gold, Silver, or Bronze-level certification. <a href="/hussc/award-winning-schools">Click here</a> to view a full list of Challenge schools.</p>
<p>Improving child nutrition is also the focal point of the <a href="/school-meals/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act</a> signed into law by President Obama in December 2010. The legislation reauthorized the National School Lunch Program and USDA's other child nutrition programs. The Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to school meals and increase access to these critical programs.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the child nutrition programs, which touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hussc-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">hussc</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthierus-school-challenge-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">healthierus school challenge</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-3" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:25:15 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"892 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:174;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:76:"USDA Highlights School Nutrition Advances During National School Lunch Week ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/043811";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5351:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0438.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-10-11T00:00:00-04:00">10/11/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted positive changes in the school meals programs to promote children's health during National School Lunch Week, Oct. 10-14. USDA, along with its partners, celebrate the program's accomplishments, including the achievements of HealthierUS School Challenge honorees and the enactment of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.</p>
<p>"Historic reforms in USDA's school meals programs have helped strengthen the nutritional habits of millions of American children," said Vilsack. "USDA's commitment to improving the quality and standards of food in our schools, coupled with efforts to increase physical activity, will enable more children to lead healthier lifestyles and put them on a path to a brighter future."</p>
<p>Since President Obama signed the HHFKA into law last December, USDA has worked to implement the Act's reforms, including provisions to simplify program administration, expand access and improve nutrition in school meals. And over 1,500 schools across the country have made improvements as part of the Healthier US School Challenge, a key component of First Lady Michelle Obama's <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let's Move!</a> initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. Participating schools voluntarily adopt USDA standards for food they serve at their schools, agree to provide nutrition education, and offer greater opportunities for physical activity.</p>
<p>The theme of this year's National School Lunch Week is "School Lunch – Let's Grow Healthy" and places special emphasis on Farm to School efforts. The initiative connects schools with regional or local farms to serve healthy meals using locally produced foods.</p>
<p>USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon said, "Farm to school activities not only inject fresh, locally-produced food into school meals programs, but also provide small farmers with new marketing opportunities and school children with the chance to learn about how food is produced and harvested for consumption."</p>
<p>This week, USDA will visit many schools across the nation to celebrate NSLW. Schools include:</p>
<ul><li>Highland Gardens Elementary School in Montgomery, Ala.</li>
<li>Nottingham Elementary School in Arlington, Va.</li>
<li>Hiawatha Elementary School and Taylor Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.</li>
<li>George Washington Elementary School in Baltimore, Md.</li>
<li>Knoxville Middle School in Knoxville, Iowa.</li>
<li>Hort Elementary School, (Bakersfield), Calif.</li>
<li>West Salem Elementary School, West Salem, Wis.</li>
</ul><p>The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 has brought historic reform to school meal programs. The law takes new steps to address childhood obesity by setting nutritional standards for foods sold in schools, updating requirements for school wellness policies, and providing more nutritional information to parents. It also works to eliminate hunger during the school day by increasing the number of eligible children enrolled in school meal programs and removing barriers to school meals for children most in need.</p>
<p>First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative has worked with schools nationwide to create healthy opportunities for children. This year, we exceeded our goal of doubling the number of schools that meet the HealthierUS School Challenge. We have also engaged child care providers in adopting healthier practices, and this year 1.7 million Americans achieved the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award.</p>
<p>To advance our goals even further, Let's Move! has collaborated with individuals and organizations across our Nation to bring over 800 salad bars to schools, providing thousands of children with greater access to fruits and vegetables. School nutrition professionals, chefs, students, parents, and communities have also used their talents to develop nutritious foods for schools through the Recipes for Healthy Kids competition and the Chefs Move to Schools initiative.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-3" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:27:54 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"893 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:175;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:77:"USDA Announces Winners in Summer Food Service Program Story and Photo Contest";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/043311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5858:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0433.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-10-05T00:00:00-04:00">10/05/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2011 – Today, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service announced the winners of the first ever <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/">Summer Food Service Program</a> (SFSP) "Food, Fun and Sun!" Story and Photo contest to highlight how the program provides free, healthy meals to children in low-income areas during the summer. Launched earlier in the summer, USDA received over 100 submissions representing sponsors and sites in over forty states.</p>
<p>"We must do all we can to ensure that children get nutritious food during the summer so they are ready to learn and succeed during the school year. The organizations that participated in the contest demonstrate the commitment that people in many communities have made to reach this goal." said Kevin Concannon, USDA Undersecretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services. "All organizations participating highlighted the critical role of the Summer Food Service Program in ending childhood hunger by providing our children the nutrition needed to be healthy, active and ready to win the future."</p>
<p>"Food, Fun and Sun!" showcases successful, model programs in four categories to share with SFSP sponsors and sites across the country. Photo contest categories and winners include:</p>
<ul><li>Volunteers: Using volunteers to support their work: Youth and Family Services (Rapid City, SD)</li>
<li>Older Children: Addressing hunger among older kids, aged 12-18: Boys and Girls Club of Ada County (Boise, ID.)</li>
<li>Rural: Successful programs in rural areas: Running Strong (Eagle Butte, SD)</li>
<li>Creative: Programs that "think outside the box" serving kids and teens: Kinsley Library, (Kinsley, KS)</li>
</ul><p>For more details about the Food, Fun and Sun! Summer Food Service Program Story and Photo Contest including winning submissions, please visit the SFSP Contest webpage at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp">http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp</a>.</p>
<p>The SFSP, a federally funded program designed to alleviate hunger during the summer for children 18 years old and younger, operates through partnerships between USDA, state agencies and local organizations. Program sponsors, which include schools, government agencies, residential and non-residential camps, non-profit organizations, and faith-based organizations, served nearly 134 million meals at eligible sites in 2010.</p>
<p>During the regular school year, about 21 million children from low-income households receive free or reduced-price meals through USDA's School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs, compared to about 3 million fed through summer programs. Hunger doesn't take a summer vacation – and communities across the Nation are working hard to make sure every child has the food they need, even when school is not in session.</p>
<p>USDA's most recent data shows that while in most households, children were protected from substantial reductions in food intake, children experienced very low food security in about 386,000 households (1 percent of households with children) in 2010. In these households, one or more children do not get enough to eat – they had to cut the size of their meals, skip meals, or even go whole days without food at some time during the year.</p>
<p>To tackle this challenge, this year FNS has launched several opportunities under the Ending Childhood Hunger initiative to include:</p>
<ul><li>Stakeholder Guide to Ending Childhood Hunger, a guide to assist individuals and organizations in choosing value-added activities and finding resources to help end childhood hunger;</li>
<li>Ending Childhood Hunger Video Contest (endhunger.challenge.gov), an opportunity for students in grades one through 12 to submit short videos about what they are doing, or what ideas they have about ending childhood hunger. The submission period runs through Oct. 21, 2011.</li>
<li>Become a Champion to End Hunger, an online commitment drive that encourages organizations and the public to select actions they will take to reduce childhood hunger;</li>
<li>End Hunger Volunteerism Portal, a website developed by CNCS where organizations can post volunteer opportunities and individuals can search for volunteer opportunities in their communities;</li>
</ul><p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/ending-childhood-hunger" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Ending Childhood Hunger</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:31:15 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"894 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:176;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:26:"National School Lunch Week";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:55:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/op-ed-100511";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5152:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">OP-Ed 100511</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Public Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-10-05T00:00:00-04:00">10/05/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>Dr. Janey Thornton<br />USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services</strong></p>
<p>During our celebration of National School Lunch Week, millions of children will line up in cafeterias across the country to eat school meals. This year, parents should be encouraged that many more schools will be providing healthier options that their kids want to eat.</p>
<p>School meals have come a very long way over the years. So believe me when I say that the proposed nutrition standards for school meals put forward by the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this year as a result of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act are a vast improvement over the status quo and long overdue.</p>
<p>The timing of our proposal could not be more appropriate, particularly as the country faces an epidemic of childhood obesity. Nearly 1 in 3 children are at risk for preventable diseases like diabetes and heart disease due to overweight and obesity. If left unaddressed, health experts tell us that our current generation of children may well have a shorter lifespan than their parents.</p>
<p>Alongside childhood obesity is the problem of childhood hunger. During 2008, as many as 17 million households in the United States, representing 33 million adults and 17 million children, struggled to put enough food on the table. For many of these children, a school meal is the only nutritious source of food they can count on.</p>
<p>As a dedicated mother and grandmother who cares deeply for the health of not just my own family’s children, but for the children of families throughout America, these issues greatly concern me. And while government cannot solve this problem alone, it makes good sense that the substantial taxpayer investment in healthy school meals be part of the solution along with parents and others.</p>
<p>A comprehensive solution will require bold action. We recognized that at USDA several years ago when we asked the Institute of Medicine – a gold standard for scientific analysis – to provide us with their recommendations for what healthy school meals should look like. We used those expert recommendations as the basis for our proposed nutrition standards for healthy school meals.</p>
<p>The result are science-based standards which reflect the Dietary Guidelines by ensuring that kids get more of the fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains that health experts recommend, and less of the saturated fat, trans fats and sodium that we all should avoid.</p>
<p>Many schools have already embraced this new direction. In fact, 1,250 schools throughout the country have been certified under USDA’s HealthierUS Schools Challenge (HUSSC). While the proposed nutrition standards are bold, they are also achievable – so achievable that USDA is committed to certifying 1,000 more HUSSC schools this coming year, and another 1,000 the following year.</p>
<p>It is also worth noting that this success is happening in these schools without additional meal reimbursements from the Federal government. Surely, if so many HUSSC schools can achieve real progress without extra money, the historic new resources provided through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act should go a long way towards making these improvements a reality for every school that participates in the National School Lunch Program.</p>
<p>That said, we have heard from many interested stakeholders who have voiced both support and concern for the proposed standards. We have heard the concerns about cost, about feasibility, and about specific foods.</p>
<p>We are listening to everyone and we know that there is still work to do. Given the chance, we will be able to fulfill our commitment to develop science-based nutrition standards that are practical for schools and reinforce the healthy eating habits that begin at home.</p>
<p>We have to stay the course. Change can be challenging. But this change is as important as it is challenging. The stakes are simply too great: school nutrition improvements are an investment in our children’s future.  We must not miss this opportunity to provide the nutritious food and promote the healthier lifestyles our children deserve.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:36:45 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"895 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:177;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:96:"USDA Recognizes States for Efforts to Provide Timely Nutrition Assistance for Americans in Need ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:51:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/000511-0";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4704:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0005.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-09-27T00:00:00-04:00">09/27/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2011 - USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today commended select states and the District of Columbia for making program improvements to ensure Americans eligible for the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received benefits in a timely manner, in addition to improved program efficiency and integrity.</p>
<p>“USDA is working every day to spend less but invest wisely and to make sure that our programs are operating efficiently as we bring assistance to Americans in need,” said Concannon. “USDA and our state agency partners continue to make improvements that strengthen the nutrition safety net while helping hard-working individuals and families transition to self-sufficiency.”</p>
<p>USDA provides monetary incentives to the eight states with the best and most improved program access index. The program access index is the ratio of participants to the number of persons below 125 percent of poverty and reflects State performance in reaching those eligible for nutrition benefits. USDA also provides monetary incentives to the six states with the highest rate of timely processed applications, an important indicator of customer service in administering the Program.</p>
<p>Working in collaboration with USDA, state agencies continue to enhance SNAP program integrity even as demand has increased in response to national economic conditions. This year, USDA is investing in process improvement efforts that examine local office processes and identify and implement efficiencies. The department is also interested in funding projects that use technology to achieve procedural changes, such as document imaging, telephone interviews or web-based access to case status information. Today's announcement proves that states’ efforts to ensure program integrity and improve their process for administering SNAP are working.</p>
<p>“Improving access and customer service in SNAP is critically important for the millions of individuals, children and families who rely on these benefits to put healthy food on the table each month,” noted Concannon. “Today’s announcement underscores that state efforts to improve the process to administer SNAP are working.”</p>
<p>States recognized for their exemplary and timely customer service in Fiscal Year 2010 are:<br /> </p>
<p><strong>Best Program Access Index:</strong><br />     Maine  $879,776<br />     District of Columbia $550,833<br />     Delaware  $444,836<br />     Oregon  $2,652,247<br />     Michigan  $6,009,251<br />     Vermont  $389,718</p>
<p><strong>Most Improved Program Access Index:</strong><br />     Delaware  see ‘best’ above<br />     New Hampshire $438,214<br />     Michigan  see ‘best’ above<br />     Idaho  $635,125</p>
<p><strong>Best Application Processing Timeliness:</strong><br />     District of Columbia $518,936<br />     Idaho  $597,263<br />     Oregon  $2,471,660<br />     New Mexico $1,056,711<br />     West Virginia $1,082,661<br />     North Dakota $272,769</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The District of Columbia earned a timeliness bonus for the fourth time and third consecutive year. West Virginia has earned a timeliness bonus seven times. This is the first time Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon have earned a timeliness bonus.</p>
<p>FNS oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs. These programs serve one in four Americans over the course of a year and work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. SNAP is the largest of these programs. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov  ">www.fns.usda.gov  </a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:38:42 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"896 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:178;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:90:"USDA Launches Student Video Contest to Highlight the Importance of Ending Childhood Hunger";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/040811";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4677:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0408.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-09-15T00:00:00-04:00">09/15/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2011 – Today, USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon invited children across America to show the country what they or their peers are doing to help end childhood hunger in their school or community by entering the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Ending Childhood Hunger Video Contest.</p>
<p>FNS is looking for original student videos of two minutes or less that show creative ways they or their peers are tackling the problem of childhood hunger or an innovative idea they have that would contribute to the goal of ending childhood hunger in America. The winning videos will be showcased online and will serve to inspire students across the country to take action on the issue of childhood hunger.</p>
<p>"If we want to build our nation for the future then we need to make sure our kids are healthy and strong today," said Concannon. "We can start by ending childhood hunger and working to make sure all of our kids have the nutrition they need. We are excited to learn what valuable ideas kids across America have to contribute to addressing this need that touches the nation's most important resource – our children."</p>
<p>USDA's most recent data shows that while in most households, children were protected from substantial reductions in food intake, children experienced very low food security in about 386,000 households (1 percent of households with children) in 2010. In these households, one or more children do not get enough to eat – they had to cut the size of their meals, skip meals, or even go whole days without food at some time during the year.</p>
<p>To tackle this challenge, last year FNS launched the Ending Childhood Hunger initiative, which included a Stakeholder Guide of ideas about what people can do locally to reduce hunger, an online commitment drive encouraging people to commit to taking a specific action to reduce hunger locally, and a volunteer portal on <a href="http://www.serve.gov">serve.gov/endhunger</a>.</p>
<p>The video contest launched today as part of Hunger Action Month, is yet another way for communities to engage in the issue and inspire others around the country to act. The contest is open to students from first through twelfth grade. FNS judges will determine the top 12 finalists in three categories: elementary, middle/junior high, and high schools. The public will vote on the finalists to determine the top two winners in each category. Winners will be promoted through various FNS channels including the FNS website, the USDA blog, local and national press releases, Facebook, Twitter, a national webinar, and the FNS Outreach Coalition annual meeting. Videos must be two minutes or less and meet other contest criteria, and be submitted no later than Oct. 21, 2011. For additional information and details on contest rules, please visit the contest webpage.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program; the School Breakfast Program; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children; and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/ech" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">ECH</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ending-childhood-hunger" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Ending Childhood Hunger</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:32:29 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"897 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:179;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:100:"USDA Announces Results of Summer Feeding Pilots to Help Prevent Childhood Hunger When School is Out ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/040311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4860:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Arkansas, Mississippi Projects Help to Reduce Food Insecurity for Kids during Summer</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0403.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-09-14T00:00:00-04:00">09/14/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2011 — USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today highlighted the results of two Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) pilot programs in Arkansas and Mississippi that used incentives to increase participation among low-income children. The study found that the innovative pilot programs were associated with an increased average participation rate among kids in the Summer Food Service Programs by 35 percent in Arkansas and 19 percent in Mississippi.</p>
<p>"Hunger doesn't take a summer vacation, and the Summer Food Service Program helps to ensure that disadvantaged children receive the wholesome, nutritious meals they need when school is out," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "Through these demonstration projects, we hope to find innovative ways to increase access to and participation in this valuable program, to help fill the summer nutrition gap."</p>
<p>The program report assesses the impact of two 2010 Enhanced Summer Food Service Program demonstrations designed to prevent food insecurity and hunger among children during the summer months when school is out. The Arkansas demonstration offered per-lunch incentives to encourage SFSP providers or sponsors to operate for a greater portion of the summer. The Mississippi demonstration offered new recreational or educational activities at SFSP feeding sites to foster higher levels of participation. While a number of other factors in these states, including some additional funding used by Arkansas to enhance the program, may have influenced the results, the changes observed are consistent with generally positive impacts from the demonstrations.</p>
<p>Additional projects, underway this year, will test home delivery of meals and a backpack food program for kids on days when the traditional SFSP is not operating, as well as household-based summer feeding approaches using the EBT infrastructure of SNAP and WIC.</p>
<p>The results also come during Hunger Action Month. USDA has been collaborating with Feeding America, the sponsor of Hunger Action Month, during September to spread the word about actions that many different stakeholders can take to end hunger. Expanding access to the Summer Food Service Program is an integral part of this message.</p>
<p>USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Janey Thornton said, "Summer Food Service Programs offer opportunities to continue a child's physical and social development while providing nutritious meals during long vacation periods. It helps children return to school prepared to achieve at their highest academic potential."</p>
<p>SFSP sites operate in low-income areas where at least half of the children come from families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, making them eligible for free and reduced-price school meals. Meals are served free to any child at the open site. Enrolled sites provide free meals to children enrolled in an activity program at the site where at least half of them are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. The programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. The National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs provide nutritionally balanced, free and low-cost meals to nearly 32 million school children each school day. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) puts healthy food in reach for more than 45 million Americans each month, half of whom are children.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:33:54 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"898 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:180;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:81:"USDA Announces Grants to Improve the Health and Future of America&#039;s Children";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/040111";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:13810:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Team Nutrition Initiative Works to Alleviate Childhood Obesity and Promote Physical Activity</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0401.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-09-13T00:00:00-04:00">09/13/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2011-- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced investments across the country to help children develop positive nutrition and physical activity habits that can lead to healthier lifestyles. The grants will provide nutrition education materials, resources for children and parents, and technical assistance and training for school food service providers and communities participating in the National School Lunch and Child and Adult Care Food Programs. The $6.4 million in funding supports elementary and secondary schools applying for the HealthierUS School Challenge, a key component of the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation.</p>
<p>"If we want to build a strong economy and win the future, then we also need to win the race to educate our kids," said Vilsack. "And that means making sure that the 32 million kids who eat school lunches every day are fueled by nutritious food and healthy habits. With that winning combination we can help to reduce and prevent childhood obesity and ensure more healthful future for every child in America."</p>
<p>States will provide training and technical assistance to school food service staff in making school meals healthier, with more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat milk products on the menu, during the two year grant period. Grantees will also promote the use of USDA Foods and teach children to make healthy food choices through hands-on nutrition education experiences. Parents in these states will be offered information on how to support healthy habits at home.</p>
<p>States had the opportunity to apply for up to two Team Nutrition Training Grants for fiscal year 2011, competitive and/or non-competitive. The non-competitive grant funds are awarded as a basis to support States in their efforts to significantly increase the number of schools applying for the HealthierUS School Challenge. States that guarantee a specific number of HUSSC applications during the grant period received a non-competitive award. The 31 States receiving grants include:</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" id="table34" style="width: 700px;" width="500 px"><tbody><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"> </td>
<th align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><strong><span style="color:black">Competitive</span></strong></th>
<th align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122">
<p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt"><strong><span style="color:black">Non- Competitive</span></strong></p>
</th>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"> </td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Alaska</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$48,326</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Arizona</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$25,000</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  California</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$19,777</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Connecticut</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$300,000</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$49,854</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">District of Columbia</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$282,005</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$27,890</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Florida</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$236,850</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$34,905</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Georgia</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$340,080</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"> </td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Idaho</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$198,853</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"> </td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Indiana</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$82,920</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$40,000</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Iowa</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$304,097</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$39,120</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Kansas</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$300,062</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$49,909</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Louisiana</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$49,916 </span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Maine</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122">
<p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt"><span style="color:black">$26,206</span></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Maryland</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$195,884</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$49,999</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Michigan</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$299,869</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$49,100</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Minnesota</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$284,914</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$47,727</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Mississippi</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$41,837 </span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Missouri</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$294,531</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"> </td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack"><span style="color:black">  Montana</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$339,333 </span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"> </td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">Nebraska</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$251,641</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$35,600</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">New Mexico</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$249,988</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"> </td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">North Dakota</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$28,283</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">Ohio</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$27,000</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">Oregon</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$41,555 </span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black"> Pennsylvania</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$334,466</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"> </td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">Rhode Island</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"> </td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$40,858</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">South Dakota</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$289,628</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$34,967</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">Vermont</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$238,575</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$24,181</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black"> Washington</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$188,947</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"> </td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">West Virginia</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$268,064</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$48,304</span></td>
</tr><tr><td class="BodyTextBlack">  <span style="color:black">Wisconsin</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="114"><span style="color:black">$264,878</span></td>
<td align="center" class="BodyTextBlack" width="122"><span style="color:black">$19,640</span></td>
</tr></tbody></table><p> Improving child nutrition is a focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that was signed by President Obama last December. This legislation reauthorizes USDA's Child nutrition programs, including the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program, which serves nearly 32 million children each day. It will allow USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.LetsMove.gov">www.LetsMove.gov</a> .</p>
<p>More information on the Team Nutrition Training Grants and how schools can become Team Nutrition and HealthierUS School Challenge schools is available at <a href="/tn/">teamnutrition.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hussc-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">hussc</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthierus-school-challenge-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">healthierus school challenge</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-3" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:38:13 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"899 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:181;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:47:"USDA Report Outlines Food Insecurity in America";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/039111";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4746:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;p&gt;Under Secretary Concannon Cites Important Role of Nutrition Assistance Programs as U.S. Economy Recovers from Recession&lt;/p&gt;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0391.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-09-07T00:00:00-04:00">09/07/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2011 -- USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced the results of USDA's <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err125">Household Food Security in the United States, 2010</a> report that found that the percentage of very low food security declined from 5.7 percent of households in 2009 to 5.4 percent in 2010. The USDA study indicated that in 2010, 17.2 million households in America had difficulty providing enough food due to a lack of resources. The number of food insecure households in 2010 was relatively consistent with statistics released in 2008 and 2009.</p>
<p>"This report underscores the critical role that federal nutrition assistance programs play in helping struggling American families put food on the table until they can get back on their feet," said Concannon. "Many families receive assistance not because they want to, but because they need it as a last resort to make ends meet. As the economy continues to recover and jobs are created, we hope to see the number of families in need of nutrition assistance shrink."</p>
<p>The report released today indicates that 59 percent of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest nutrition assistance programs near the time of the survey.</p>
<p>In fiscal year 2010, these programs provided much needed food assistance to millions of individuals, children and families in need:</p>
<ul><li>In an average month of fiscal year 2010 (October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided benefits to 40.3 million people in the United States.</li>
<li>In fiscal year 2010, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provided meals to an average of 31.6 million children each school day.</li>
<li>In fiscal year 2010, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) served an average 9.2 million participants per month.</li>
</ul><p>Food insecurity rates were substantially higher than the national average for households with incomes near or below the current federal poverty line ($22,350 for a family of four), households with children headed by single women or single men, and black and Hispanic households. Food insecurity was more common in large cities and rural areas than in suburban areas and other outlying areas around large cities. The media briefing kit can be obtained at <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/HouseholdFoodSecurity2010/">http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/HouseholdFoodSecurity2010/</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs including the Summer Food Service Program; SNAP; NSLP; WIC; and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net. USDA administers these programs in partnership with state and local agencies and works with faith and community-based organizations to ensure that nutrition assistance is available to those in need. Additional information about the programs can be found at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/household-food-security" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Household Food Security</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:27:00 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"900 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:182;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:96:"USDA Awards Grants to Improve Efficiency and Accuracy of National School Meal Program Operations";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/000311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4207:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0003.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-08-18T00:00:00-04:00">08/18/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 18, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced investments in the national school meal program that will protect taxpayer dollars while providing healthy school meals for low-income kids.  The Administrative Review and Training Grants help states improve their operational accuracy in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. The grants highlight the work of states in improving the integrity and efficiency of program administration and delivery.</p>
<p>"By focusing on program efficiencies, we ensure the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs contribute to the overall well-being of our children, while protecting tax-payer dollars," said Secretary Vilsack. "These concerted efforts enhance states’ program effectiveness and provide important paths to healthy lifestyles and outcomes for our nation’s schoolchildren."</p>
<p>Working in collaboration with USDA, state agencies continue to enhance nutrition assistance program integrity. This year, USDA is investing in process improvement efforts across its nutrition assistance programs that examine local processes and identify and implement efficiencies. The department is also interested in funding projects that use technology to achieve procedural changes, such as document imaging, telephone interviews or web-based access to case status information. Today's announcement proves that states’ efforts to ensure program integrity and improve their process for administering the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs are working. </p>
<p>During the grant periods, ranging from one to three years, states will develop and implement training and technology improvements to assist in identifying, training and monitoring school food authorities that have had or are likely to experience a high level of risk for errors in program operations.   Awards will be made to the following States:</p>
<ul><li>Hawaii - $1,499,385.00</li>
<li>Indiana - $1,017,920.00</li>
<li>Missouri - $1,276,900.00</li>
<li>New Hampshire - $1,409,532.85 </li>
<li>South Dakota - $843,158.00</li>
<li>Washington - $1,478,700.00</li>
</ul><p>More information on the Administrative Review and Training Grants is available at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm">http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm</a>.</p>
<p>USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. The programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger.  The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs provide nutritionally balanced, free and low-cost meals to nearly 32 million school children each school day. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, puts healthy food in reach for more than 44 million Americans each month, half of whom are children.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/administrative-review-and-training-grants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Administrative Review and Training Grants</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:31:17 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"901 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:183;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:78:"USDA Official Joins Georgia Students for Breakfast as Kids Head Back to School";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/000211";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7361:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Audrey Rowe Highlights Key Reforms in the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act to Improve School Meal Quality</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0002.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Aaron Wiley (404) 562-1811</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-08-16T00:00:00-04:00">08/16/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>ATLANTA, August 16, 2011—USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Audrey Rowe today highlighted Obama administration efforts to improve school nutrition and foster healthy lifestyle choices by America’s school-age children during a visit to Sherwood Acres Elementary Magnet School in Albany, Ga.</p>
<p>Rowe said key reforms enacted through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 will improve the nutritional quality of school meals and strengthen the school environment for the nation’s schoolchildren. Rowe also lauded USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge, which is designed to improve school nutrition and expand opportunities for physical activity.</p>
<p>“By providing America’s children with the healthiest foods possible while at school,” she said, “we can reinforce the healthy lifestyles that many parents are already teaching their children at home, which will put them in a position to thrive, grow and ultimately reach their full potential.”</p>
<p>As children head back to school this fall USDA will work with schools on improving the nutritional quality of food sold to children through six major components supported by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Updated nutrition standards for school meals based on expert recommendations from the Institute of Medicine.</strong>  USDA is reviewing over 132,000 comments from schools, States, parents and others on a proposed rule in order to complete a final rule.</li>
<li><strong>Science-based standards for all foods sold in school.</strong> These first ever national standards will ensure that foods and beverages sold in vending machines and other venues on school campuses contribute to a healthy diet.</li>
<li><strong>Increased funding for schools.</strong>  The Act made the first real increase in school meal payments in 30 years – tied to strong performance in serving improved meals.  The criteria to earn the increase will be ready when updated standards go into effect.</li>
<li><strong>Common-sense standards for revenue provided to school food authorities from non-Federal sources</strong>, to ensure that these revenues keep pace with the Federal commitment to healthy school meals and properly align with costs.</li>
<li><strong>Training and technical assistance to help schools achieve and monitor compliance.</strong>  We are planning new training strategies to accompany the new nutrition standards.</li>
<li><strong>Healthy offerings through the USDA Foods program.</strong>  USDA Foods are a critical part of the National School Lunch Program, constituting approximately 15-20% of the school lunch plate.  Guided by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, USDA has made sweeping changes in the nutritional quality of these foods to further reduce fat, sodium, and added sugars.  The Act requires the Department to purchase a wide variety of USDA Foods that support healthy meals and develop model specifications for foods purchased and served in the National School Lunch Program.</li>
</ul><p>These school food improvements will be supported by other changes in the school environment, such as physical activity and nutrition education reforms, and strengthened local school wellness policies.  The Act expands the scope of these policies and increases transparency and local participation. HHKFA provisions in effect this year to increase access to critical nutrition programs includes:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Promoting School Breakfast Programs</strong>.  Research has shown that starting the day with a nutritious breakfast helps students stay alert and perform better in school.</li>
<li><strong>Expanding At-Risk Afterschool Meals</strong> to all states participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program</li>
</ul><p>Administrator Rowe also recognized hundreds of schools that have already made great progress toward achieving school meals reforms – and can serve as models for others seeking to make improvements. She announced that we reached our goal with more than 1,250 schools receiving HealthierUS School Challenge honors for expanding nutrition and physical activity opportunities. Last year, the First Lady and USDA challenged the nation’s communities to double the number of HUSSC schools within  a year – reaching 1,250 schools by the end of June 2011. HUSSC is a key component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. USDA also took the opportunity to launch the Healthy Access Locator, a web-based resource that geographically pinpoints HUSSC award-winning schools and features built-in data on diet-related diseases. </p>
<p>USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. The programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs provide nutritionally balanced, free and low-cost meals to nearly 32 million school children each school day. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, puts healthy food in reach for more than 44 million Americans each month, half of whom are children.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hussc-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">hussc</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthierus-school-challenge-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">healthierus school challenge</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-3" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:34:30 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"902 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:184;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:82:"USDA Announces Historic School Nutrition Improvements as Children Return to School";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/035911";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9171:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Schools Meet First Lady&#039;s HealthierUS School Challenge Goal with 1250 Receiving Honors for Expanding Nutrition and Physical Activity Opportunities</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0359.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-08-15T00:00:00-04:00">08/15/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, August 15, 2011 — Today, USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon hosted a conference call to highlight the historic school nutrition reforms and improvements that students and families will see in the new school year. The reforms, delivered through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), are improving the nutritional quality of school meals and bolstering the entire school environment. Concannon also announced that schools nationwide reached First Lady Michelle Obama's goal of 1,250 schools receiving HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) honors for expanding nutrition and physical activity opportunities.</p>
<p>"The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is a great win for our kids and the health of our nation," said Concannon. "I want to recognize the hundreds of schools that have already made great progress toward achieving school meals reforms – and can serve as models for others seeking to make improvements. By fueling our nation's children with the healthiest foods possible while at school, we can reinforce the healthy lifestyles that many parents are already teaching their children at home, which will put them in a position to thrive, grow and ultimately reach their full potential."</p>
<p>Under Secretary Concannon announced that schools had reached the goal of 1,250 schools receiving HealthierUS School Challenge honors for expanding nutrition and physical activity opportunities. HUSSC is a key component of First Lady Michelle Obama's <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let's Move!</a> initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. Last year, the First Lady and USDA challenged the nation's communities to double the number of HUSSC schools within in a year –reaching 1,250 schools by the end of June 2011. Schools participating in the Challenge are recognized with Gold Award of Distinction, Gold, Silver, or Bronze-level certification. Schools participating in the HUSSC voluntarily adopt USDA standards for food they serve at their schools, agree to provide nutrition education and to provide opportunities for physical activity.</p>
<p>USDA also took the opportunity to launch the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthyaccesslocator/">Healthy Access Locator</a>, a web-based resource that geographically pinpoints HUSSC award-winning schools and features built-in data on diet-related diseases. The web-based map allows users to search HealthierUS School Challenge awards by geography (national, regional, local), school type (elementary, middle, high), award type (bronze, silver, gold, gold award of distinction) and date of award.</p>
<p>Since President Obama signed the HHFKA into law on December 13, USDA has worked aggressively to implement the Act's historic reforms including provisions to simplify program administration and expand children's access to school meals. Key accomplishments include:</p>
<ul><li>Nationwide Expansion of At-Risk Afterschool Meals: USDA worked closely with states to expand the availability of afterschool meals across the nation to through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. USDA estimates this expansion could provide supper to an additional 140,000 kids in low-income areas.</li>
<li>Categorical Eligibility for Foster Children: USDA issued guidance and provided technical assistance to states to ensure that more than 400,000 children in foster care are certified to receive free meals in all USDA child nutrition programs.</li>
<li>Strengthening Direct Certification: USDA provided guidance, technical assistance and grant funding to states to improve their direct certification systems to help more children already receiving benefits from SNAP, TANF and FDPIR gain access to free school meals without the need for completing another eligibility form.</li>
<li>Implementing Community Eligibility: USDA offered, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, to implement the new "community eligibility" approach to reimburse schools for meals without the need for paper applications.</li>
<li>Simplified Area Eligibility for Family Day Care Homes: USDA implemented a provision that helps more family day care home providers receive the maximum meal reimbursement based on the location of their family day care business rather than an income eligibility application.</li>
<li>Promoting School Breakfast Programs. USDA provided guidance for schools on the HHKFA provision requiring schools to conduct outreach on the availability of the School Breakfast Program. Research has shown that starting the day with a nutritious breakfast helps students stay alert and perform better in school.</li>
</ul><p>In addition, USDA will continue to work with schools on improving the nutritional quality of food sold to children through six major components supported by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act:</p>
<ul><li>Updated nutrition standards for school meals based on expert recommendations from the Institute of Medicine. USDA is reviewing over 132,000 comments from schools, States, parents and others on a proposed rule in order to complete a final rule.</li>
<li>Science-based standards for all foods sold in school. These first ever national standards will ensure that foods and beverages sold in vending machines and other venues on school campuses contribute to a healthy diet.</li>
<li>Increased funding for schools. The Act made the first real increase in school meal payments in 30 years – tied to strong performance in serving improved meals. The criteria to earn the increase will be ready when updated standards go into effect.</li>
<li>Common-sense standards for revenue provided to school food authorities from non-Federal sources, to ensure that these revenues keep pace with the Federal commitment to healthy school meals and properly align with costs.</li>
<li>Training and technical assistance to help schools achieve and monitor compliance. We are planning new training strategies to accompany the new nutrition standards.</li>
<li>Healthy offerings through the USDA Foods program. USDA Foods are a critical part of the National School Lunch Program, constituting approximately 15-20% of the school lunch plate. Guided by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, USDA has made sweeping changes in the nutritional quality of these foods to further reduce fat, sodium, and added sugars. The Act requires the Department to purchase a wide variety of USDA Foods that support healthy meals and develop model specifications for foods purchased and served in the National School Lunch Program.</li>
</ul><p>Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPkJnUuSRIc">here </a>for new USDA Foods being offered to schools this year.</p>
<p>These school food improvements will be supported by other changes in the school environment, such as physical activity and nutrition education reforms, and strengthened local school wellness policies. School meals reach nearly 32 million children each school day nationwide, and many children consume as many as half their daily calories at school.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hussc-1" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">hussc</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/healthierus-school-challenge-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">healthierus school challenge</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:02:40 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"903 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:185;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:126:"USDA Awards Grants to Reduce Hunger and Improve Nutrition of School-Aged Kids by Improving Enrollment in School Meals Programs";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/032611";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3760:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0326.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-07-28T00:00:00-04:00">07/28/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 28, 2011 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced new investments in New Hampshire and Idaho to help eliminate childhood hunger and improve nutrition and health for school-aged kids. The grants are awarded to the two state agencies to reduce paperwork and expedite certification of students for free meals in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs through a process called direct certification.</p>
<p>"Direct certification is a useful tool that allows us to get healthy meals to our kids so that they get access to the nutrition they need to learn and thrive," said Vilsack. "These grants will help states improve their direct certification process so that fewer eligible families will have to fill out duplicative paperwork for healthy school meals."</p>
<p>With direct certification, states and local, educational agencies can automatically enroll students from households already participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations without requiring the child's family to complete an additional application. The investments announced today are intended to help improve direct certification rates for children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.</p>
<p>Agencies administering the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch">National School Lunch Program</a> in New Hampshire and Idaho were chosen to receive the grants provided by the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Act of 2010. Idaho will receive $513,190 and New Hampshire, $109,916. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service expects to award additional grants to states meeting eligibility requirements each quarter over the next year. Direct Certification Grants totaling nearly $3 million have been made to 15 states since January, including those announced today.</p>
<p>Under Secretary Kevin Concannon underscored the importance of the grants, "Direct certification is a trifecta for schools, parents and children. Schools and parents benefit from reduced paperwork, and children get better access to healthy school meals.," he said. "And these grants help states do that."</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net.</p>
<p>For more information about the Direct Certification Grants, visit: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm">www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:05:30 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"904 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:186;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:75:"USDA Announces Winner in First Lady&#039;s Recipes for Healthy Kids Contest";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/031911";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4692:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0319.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Bruce Alexander FNS Office of Communications (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-07-26T00:00:00-04:00">07/26/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>DALLAS, July 26, 2011 – USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Administrator Audrey Rowe yesterday announced the winner of First Lady Michelle Obama's Recipes for Healthy Kids competition. The contest launched last year to challenge students, parents and other interested community members to create tasty and healthy new recipes for America's school cafeteria menus.</p>
<p>Intermediate District 287, South Education Center Alternative in Richfield, Minn. captured the Grand Prize with its <a href="http://recipesforkids.challengepost.com//submissions/851-porcupine-sliders">Porcupine Sliders</a>, in a national cook-off held during the American Culinary Federation National Convention, from among 340 recipes originally submitted by schools across the country. White House chef Sam Kass acted as master of ceremonies for the cook-off.</p>
<p>"Intermediate District 287, South Education Center Alternative and all of the schools that participated in the competition have demonstrated once again that school meals can be healthy – and taste great too," said Rowe. "This is an outstanding achievement for our kids and for our efforts to bring healthier meals and healthier lifestyles to schools across the nation."</p>
<p>Finalists in today's recipe cook-off also included <a href="http://recipesforkids.challengepost.com//submissions/541-central-valley-harvest-bake">Central Valley Harvest Bake</a>, submitted by Joshua Cowell School in Manteca, Calif.; and <a href="http://recipesforkids.challengepost.com//submissions/1005-tuscan-smoked-turkey-bean-soup">Tuscan Smoked Turkey &amp; Bean Soup</a> submitted by Ira B. Jones Elementary School in Asheville, N.C. Competing teams submitted recipes in three categories: Dry Beans, Dark Green-Orange Vegetables, and Whole Grains. The top 10 recipes in each category will be published in a Recipes for Healthy Kids cookbook to share with schools, students and families.</p>
<p>USDA and the First Lady launched the <a href="http://www.recipesforkidschallenge.com/">Recipes for Healthy Kids</a> competition last September, challenging teams of school nutrition professionals, chefs, students, and community members to develop creative, nutritious, and kid-approved recipes that schools can easily incorporate into National School Lunch Program menus. The contest is a component of the First Lady's broader Let's Move! initiative that also includes Chefs Move to Schools, which encourages chefs to work with schools in their communities.</p>
<p>The National School Lunch Program is one of 15 nutrition assistance programs administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. Together these programs, which also include the Summer Food Service Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, comprise a national safety net against hunger.</p>
<p>Additional information about USDA's nutrition assistance programs can be found at: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/">http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/recipe-healthy-kids" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Recipe for Healthy Kids</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lets-move-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/chefs-move-schools" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Chefs Move to Schools</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:13:59 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"905 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:187;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:158:"Agriculture Secretary Joins the National Council of La Raza to Highlight Improvements to the Nutritional Health of Hispanics in Communities across the Country";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/031711";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5534:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0317.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-07-24T00:00:00-04:00">07/24/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 24, 2011 –Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today joined local, state, and national partners at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Annual Conference to discuss efforts to combat hunger and improve the nutritional health of Hispanics, especially children.</p>
<p>"USDA is committed to ensuring that all Latino families in the United States have access to nutritious foods, which will help them stay healthy, active and able to win their future," said Vilsack. "Our valued partners at La Raza and its affiliates are uniquely positioned to create and implement sustainable solutions to ending hunger and help us reach the most vulnerable members of our communities. We need to work together in setting a table for everyone to have access to healthy, affordable food."</p>
<p>In his remarks, Secretary Vilsack outlined a comprehensive approach to combating hunger and obesity in the Latino community. Recent studies show 17.4 million American households were at risk for hunger in 2009, including one in four Latino families. Among them, Hispanic households with children were more likely than average to face very low food security among children. At the same time, obesity remains the fastest growing public health issue in the United States. Roughly one-third of American children are overweight or obese, putting that same proportion of children at risk for diabetes, with the rate in Latino communities reaching nearly one-half.</p>
<p>USDA remains committed to addressing the dual challenges of childhood hunger and obesity – both fueled by a lack of proper nutrition. USDA provides nutrition assistance to 1 in 4 Americans, but there are still many people who are eligible for assistance programs and are not enrolled. SNAP, the nation's largest nutrition assistance program, provides nutrition education and helps put healthy food on the table for more than 44 million people each month, half of whom are children. However, only 56 percent of eligible Hispanics access these critical benefits.</p>
<p>"At a time when 40 percent of Latino children are either overweight or obese, and a third of Latino families with children are threatened by hunger, it is important that Latino families know that USDA programs can make the difference in providing good food on the table," said Lisa Pino, USDA's Deputy Director of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. "That's why it's imperative to work with partners like NCLR to reach more people in need and help them access critical nutrition benefits."</p>
<p>Improving child nutrition is also the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act signed into law by President Obama on December 13, 2010. The legislation authorizes</p>
<p>USDA's child nutrition programs, including the Summer Food Service Program, the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to school meals and increase access to these critical programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is also the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">http://www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:16:50 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"906 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:188;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:65:"USDA Launches Fresh Produce Program for Florida, Michigan Schools";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/030411";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4331:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0304.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jimmie Turner (202) 720-8998</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-07-21T00:00:00-04:00">07/21/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 12, 2011 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will conduct a pilot for acquiring fresh fruits and vegetables to build on farm-to-school programs in Florida and Michigan. The pilot will use commercial distribution models already in place and allow schools to obtain locally grown produce.</p>
<p>"This is a win-win for everyone as this pilot program will allow us to get fresh fruits and vegetables to schools," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "We are constantly searching for new opportunities to expand markets for producers while providing fresh, healthy food to schools."</p>
<p>AMS will review growers' eligibility to participate in the program to ensure they meet Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices. A Request for Proposal for various domestic fresh fruits and vegetables delivered in quantities that are usable by recipients will be put forth by AMS.</p>
<p>Florida and Michigan will use their entitlement funds to purchase the commodities from a list of various foods purchased by USDA and offered through the school lunch program. Entitlements are grants-in-aid to schools that help defray the cost of school lunch; local schools earn a fixed federal reimbursement for each school lunch served consistent with USDA nutritional guidelines.</p>
<p>USDA typically purchases 15 to 20 percent of the foods that are used in the National School Lunch Program. Purchases include poultry, meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and oils. USDA food purchases serve the dual purpose of supporting agricultural markets and providing nutritious foods to school children and needy Americans.</p>
<p>FNS provides children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 authorizes USDA's child nutrition programs, including the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch">National School Lunch</a>, <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/breakfast/">School Breakfast</a>, <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/">Summer Food Service Program</a>, and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/">Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children</a>. The Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children, and help a new generation win the future by having healthier lives. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let's Move</a>! initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:23:04 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"908 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:189;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:77:"USDA Launches Contest to Celebrate Success in the Summer Food Service Program";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/030911";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3896:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0309.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Public Affairs (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-07-20T00:00:00-04:00">07/20/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 20, 2011 – USDA's Food and Nutrition Service today launched a photo contest to look for and promote best practices in the <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> (SFSP). The competition, Food, Fun and Sun! The Summer Food Service Program Story and Photo Contest, is open to sponsors and sites participating in the SFSP, which provides free, healthy meals to children in low-income areas during the summer.</p>
<p>"We must do all we can to ensure that children get nutritious food during the summer so they are ready to learn and succeed during the school year," said Kevin Concannon, USDA Undersecretary for Food Nutrition and Consumer Services. "This contest helps highlight the critical role of summer meals and summer feeding programs in ending childhood hunger and providing our children the nutrition needed to be healthy, active and ready to win the future."</p>
<p>Food, Fun and Sun! will highlight successful programs in four categories to share with SFSP sponsors and sites across the country. Contest winners will be recognized nationally.</p>
<p>Photo contest categories include:</p>
<ul><li>Volunteers: Examples of programs that use volunteers to support their work.</li>
<li>Older Children: Examples of successful programs that address hunger among older kids, aged 12-18.</li>
<li>Rural: Examples of successful programs in rural areas.</li>
<li>Creative: Examples of the best creative programs that "think outside the box" to serve kids and teens.</li>
</ul><p>For more details about the Food, Fun and Sun! The Summer Food Service Program Story and Photo Contest including submission guidelines and contest rules, please visit the competition webpage at <a href="https://www.challenge.gov">https://www.challenge.gov</a>.</p>
<p>The SFSP, a federally funded program designed to alleviate hunger during the summer for children 18 years old and younger, operates through partnerships between USDA, state agencies and local organizations. Program sponsors, which include schools, government agencies, residential and non-residential camps and faith-based organizations, served nearly 134 million meals at eligible sites in 2010.</p>
<p>During the regular school year, about 21 million children from low-income households receive free or reduced-price meals through USDA's School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs, compared to about 3 million fed through summer programs. Hunger doesn't take a summer vacation – but communities across the Nation are working hard to make sure every child has the food they need, even when school is not in session.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger.<br /> </p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:19:02 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"907 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:190;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:103:"Agriculture Deputy Secretary Highlights School Meal Improvements to National School Nutrition Advocates";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/030311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7388:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot; class=&quot;BodyTextBlack&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;USDA Publishes Findings on National Farm to School Effort that Provides New Economic Opportunities for Farmers&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0303.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-07-12T00:00:00-04:00">07/12/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 12, 2011 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today highlighted the importance of the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act</a> and announced the findings of USDA's first Farm to School report during the 2011 <a href="http://www.schoolnutrition.org/">School Nutrition Association</a> national convention. Merrigan delivered remarks to thousands of school nutrition professionals at the three-day event which provided an opportunity to discuss the Obama administration's efforts to improve the health and nutrition of meals served through the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs.</p>
<p>"By working closely with school nutrition professionals, the Obama Administration is promoting initiatives that provide kids with access to nutritious foods and information to teach them healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime" said Merrigan. "Farm to school programs are a great way to bring more fresh, local produce into school cafeterias and support local farmers as well. Many schools are also using Farm to School programs to teach students where their food comes from through nutrition education."</p>
<p>A USDA Farm to School Team was established late in 2009 as a result of discussions within the department-wide <a href="http://www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer">Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative</a>, which seeks to create new economic opportunities by promoting local and regional food systems that help keep wealth in rural communities. These discussions focused on the need to develop strategies to enhance market opportunities for local farmers as well as the need to better connect farmers with consumers and thereby increase public understanding of American agriculture. Farm to School was quickly identified as a strategy that could potentially contribute to both goals.</p>
<p>During 2010, the team visited 15 school districts across the country that were involved in farm to school related activities in varying capacities, reviewed resource materials, participated in national and regional conferences and consulted with other organizations that worked with the farm to school community. The report published today summarizes the observations of these activities. This report also provides suggestions for further action by USDA to support schools in obtaining fresh and healthy food from their local and regional food systems. USDA's Farm to School Team found that communities are passionate about providing locally grown products to schools and work hard to overcome challenges such as the limited availability of local agricultural products and difficulties with processing and storage. For more information or to view the report, please visit the USDA Farm to School website at:<a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/F2S/"> http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/F2S/</a>.</p>
<p>Merrigan also announced that USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Food Nutrition Service (FNS) will conduct a pilot for acquiring fresh fruits and vegetables to build on farm-to-school programs in Florida and Michigan. The pilot will use commercial distribution models already in place and allow schools to obtain locally grown produce. Additionally, USDA's National Agricultural Library published a new resource titled 'Farm to School: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography. To view the bibliography, please visit the USDA Farm to School website at: <a href="http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/srb1102.shtml">http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/srb1102.shtml</a></p>
<p>With one in every three children in America at risk for preventable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease due to overweight and obesity, school nutrition improvements are an investment in improving our children's future and are critical to helping them maintain optimal health, she said. School meals currently reach nearly 32 million children each school day nationwide, and many children consume as many as half their daily calories at school.</p>
<p>Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act signed by President Obama in December 2010. The legislation, which reauthorized the Child Nutrition programs, will allow USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school meals programs improve the nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children, and help a new generation win the future by having healthier lives. The Act is the legislative centerpiece of the <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let's Move</a>! initiative.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. The programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. The National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs provide nutritionally balanced, free and low-cost meals to nearly 32 million school children each school day. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, puts healthy food in reach for more than 44 million Americans each month, half of whom are children.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/know-your-farmer" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Know Your Farmer</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/know-your-food" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Know Your Food</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/farm-school-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Farm to  School</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:31:38 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"909 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:191;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:115:"USDA Official Addresses School Nutrition Community on Efforts to Promote Healthier Diets for Nation&#039;s Children";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/030011";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5210:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0300.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-07-11T00:00:00-04:00">07/11/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 11, 2011 — USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Janey Thornton today highlighted the importance of <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/foods/healthy/ToolKit.htm">USDA Foods</a> and the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/CNR_2010.htm">Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act</a> during the 2011 <a href="http://www.schoolnutrition.org/">School Nutrition Association</a> national convention. Thornton joined thousands of school nutrition professionals at the three-day event which offers an opportunity for a dialogue on the administration's efforts to ensure healthier meals in the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs.</p>
<p>"The School Nutrition Association is a strong partner in the Obama Administration's effort to ensure that our nation's school children are provided the most nutritious food possible," said USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Janey Thornton. "For many children, the food they receive in school is their primary source of nutrition. By working closely with our school nutrition professionals, we are creating the healthy school environment needed to ensure our children are engaged and productive learners."</p>
<p>With one in every three children in America at risk for preventable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease due to overweight and obesity, school nutrition improvements are an investment in improving our children's future and are critical to helping them maintain optimal health. School meals currently reach nearly 32 million children each school day nationwide, and many children consume as many as half their daily calories at school.</p>
<p>USDA purchases between 15-20 percent of the foods served in school meals. USDA offers more than 180 nutritious foods, including more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and foods that are lower in fat, salt, and added sugars than ever before. Schools are choosing to use USDA Foods in more healthful ways. Many schools have eliminated fried foods and have opted to showcase USDA Foods as part of lower sodium menu items that appeal to children. USDA Foods are 100 percent American-grown, support American agriculture, and help schools stretch their food budgets. The 101,000 schools and institutions that participate in the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/">National School Lunch Program</a> are thinking more and more creatively about how to serve healthful options that kids will enjoy.</p>
<p>Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act signed by President Obama in December 2010. The legislation, which reauthorized the Child Nutrition and WIC programs, will allow USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school meals programs improve the nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children, and help a new generation win the future by having healthier lives. The Act is the legislative centerpiece of the <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let's Move</a>! initiative.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. The programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. The National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs provide nutritionally balanced, free and low-cost meals to nearly 32 million school children each school day. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, puts healthy food in reach for more than 44 million Americans each month, half of whom are children.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:34:24 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"910 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:192;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:56:"USDA Announces Improvements in School Wellness Promotion";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/029611";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5222:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot; class=&quot;BodyTextBlack&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;Changes will Engage Local Communities to Promote Healthier Lifestyles for Children&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0296.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-07-07T00:00:00-04:00">07/07/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, July 7, 2011 - USDA announced today improvements included in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that will enhance local wellness policies in schools in order to promote healthier lifestyles for children. Local wellness policies are an important tool for parents, local educational agencies and school districts to promote student wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and provide assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the minimum federal school meal standards. Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program were required to have local wellness policies in place beginning in the 2006-2007 School Year.</p>
<p>"Parents understand that our commitment to teaching children healthy lifestyles requires local communities working together to make wellness a priority." said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The updated local school wellness policies will help bring more people into this process in order to ensure kids are surrounded by a healthy school environment."</p>
<p>Provisions set forth in the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 supersede previous requirements and expand the scope of wellness policies. The law now requires that additional stakeholders be included in the development, implementation and review of the wellness policies. Schools are now required to inform and update the public (including parents, students, and others in the community) about the content and implementation of the local wellness policies. These provisions will be effective beginning in the coming 2011-2012 school year.</p>
<p>The Food and Nutrition Service will be updating the local wellness policy materials on the FNS website: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/healthy/wellnesspolicy.html">http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/healthy/wellnesspolicy.html</a>. FNS is also working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Education to provide technical assistance on local wellness policies for local educational agencies, school food authorities, and State agencies. By working with agencies and authorities vested in students' health and wellness, we are convinced that we can ensure a healthier school environment for children.</p>
<p>Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The legislation authorizes USDA's child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Summer Food Service Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children, and help a new generation win the future by having healthier lives. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative's goal to end childhood obesity in a generation.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a>  for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:02:55 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"917 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:193;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:76:"Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary, USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:53:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/snap-op-ed";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5622:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">SNAP OP-ed</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Amanda Browne and Regan Hopper (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-07-01T00:00:00-04:00">07/01/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>As someone with decades of experience working in anti-poverty programs, I have witnessed firsthand the important role government can play in helping families living from paycheck to paycheck. I have seen how the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps millions of responsible, hardworking Americans put food on the table for their families.</p>
<p>SNAP helps support jobs and provides a boost to the economy. SNAP has a good story to tell when it comes to using taxpayer funds responsibly and wisely, one that does not get told enough. This is why it is so disappointing when sporadic abuses of the program by a few are used as a political football in the media. You would think that lottery winners and criminals are the only Americans receiving SNAP benefits. This couldn’t be further from the truth.</p>
<p>Abuses are the exception, not the norm. They overshadow record achievements in SNAP for payment accuracy and program integrity, and do a disservice to the overwhelming majority that truly need the program and are playing by the rules.</p>
<p>People should understand that the record 44 million Americans – more than half of whom are children, elderly and the disabled –participating in SNAP is due primarily to the fact that we are still recovering from the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression. We know it is right, and in the interest of all of us, to help them get back on their feet.</p>
<p>SNAP provides an economic stimulus that strengthens communities. Research shows that every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates as much as $9 in economic activity. Benefits move quickly into local economies, supporting and creating jobs for the Americans who grow, process, pack, ship, shelve and sell us food.</p>
<p>At the same time, rooting out waste, fraud and abuse is a top priority for this administration. We do not tolerate fraud in SNAP at USDA, and prosecute those who attempt to game the system.<br />USDA works in partnership with State agencies to ensure responsible steward of taxpayer resources.</p>
<p>Due to increased oversight and improvements to management, the prevalence of selling SNAP benefits for cash or “trafficking” – has fallen significantly over the last two decades to roughly 1 cent on the dollar. Additionally, payment accuracy in SNAP is at an all-time high – over the last decade participation among - payment errors have gone from 8.91% to 3.81%. Simply put, participation is up, and errors are down. While these are positive trends, any trafficking or error is too much. So USDA continues to aggressively improve integrity in SNAP. We use state-of-the-art technology to help target criminals. We receive ongoing risk assessments of all stores that accept SNAP benefits based to identify program violations.</p>
<p>Our fraud detection system has newer, more advanced data mining technology and analytical tools available in the private sector. These efforts make us even better at getting rid of those who break the law and abuse the program.</p>
<p>Beyond pursuing fraud, USDA is also deeply committed to ensuring benefits are targeted to those Americans who need them most. This is why we proactively urge states to use their current authority to change state policies so that millionaires – or those receiving substantial windfalls – do not receive SNAP benefits.</p>
<p>These are just a few of the things we are doing every day to perform the job America’s taxpayers have entrusted to us. And we are committed to doing even more. As our nation continues down its path of economic recovery we know our work is cut out for us. But our sense of dignity and morality tells us we must support hard-working Americans who are still struggling to meet their most basic nutritional needs. SNAP is an integral part of those efforts, which will stimulate the economy and help us grow a stronger nation for all Americans.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/poverty" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Poverty</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/trafficking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Trafficking</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/payment-accuracy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Payment Accuracy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Integrity</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:06:53 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"918 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:194;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:71:"USDA and DC Officials Kick-Off Summer Food Service Program for Children";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/027211";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6079:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot; class=&quot;BodyTextBlack&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;USDA Official Highlights Role of Summer Meals Program in Preventing Child Hunger&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0272.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-06-23T00:00:00-04:00">06/23/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 23, 2011 – USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Administrator Audrey Rowe joined D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) representatives at the 8th Annual "Free Summer Meals Kick off", a celebration of USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer/">Summer Food Service Program</a> (SFSP) in the District of Columbia. This summer, OSSE will offer more than 300 feeding sites throughout the city, providing free, nutritious meals to children up to age 18.</p>
<p>"Each summer, millions of families struggle to provide their children with nutritious meals when schools close, said Rowe. "The Summer Food Service Program fills this gap by marshalling resources to curb food insecurity and end hunger for our nation's children. We are proud of the District of Columbia and all the partnerships that make summer meals available to D.C. children. The commitment is not only admirable, but serves to encourage other states striving to provide nourishment to children in need."</p>
<p>During the regular school year, more than 21 million children nationwide receive free and reduced-priced meals through the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program">National School Lunch Program</a>, yet just more than 3 million kids are fed in summer meals programs. In July 2010, approximately 80 percent of eligible children (more than 28,000) were served by the D.C. Free Summer Meals Program, according to Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation, the Food Research and Action Center's (FRAC) analysis of national participation in Summer Nutrition Programs. Nationwide, only 15 percent of children participate in the SFSP program.</p>
<p>Rowe also focused on the administration's commitment to feed more hungry children this summer. She touted renewed efforts by USDA and its partners to highlight the important nutrition benefits provided by the SFSP, as well as other healthy meal options for low-income children. This summer:</p>
<ul><li>Let's Move! Faith and Communities (part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative) will work with partners to host new feeding sites at congregations and neighborhood organizations;</li>
<li>the Corporation for National and Community Service's 515 AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates will work at anti-hunger organizations across the country to feed more children in programs, including the SFSP;</li>
<li>sponsors will benefit from new waivers to simplify existing regulations in the SFSP to streamline ways to feed low-income children when school is out;</li>
<li>and several states will test innovative enhancements to the SFSP, including the provision of food backpacks to provide assistance over weekends, and meal delivery to reach children in rural areas.</li>
</ul><p>Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act signed into law by President Obama in December 2010. The legislation reauthorized the SFSP and USDA's other child nutrition programs. The Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to school meals and increase access to these critical programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is also the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the child nutrition programs, which touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p>In Washington, D.C., families can find summer meal sites by calling toll free 311, texting 202.6565.EAT (328) or visiting dcfreesummermeals.org. Families can also call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-Hambre for information on all FNS nutrition assistance programs. Anyone interested in volunteer opportunities can visit <a href="http://www.serve.gov/endhunger">www.serve.gov/endhunger</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-3" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:50:41 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"919 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:195;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:87:"USDA Official Visits Wyoming to Highlight Ways to Provide Nutrition to Low-Income Kids ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/026611";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4925:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0266.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-06-21T00:00:00-04:00">06/21/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>CASPER, WY, June 21, 2011 -Today, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Janey Thornton addressed the need for more <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer" target="extWindow" title="Link opens in new window">Summer Food Service Program</a> (SFSP) sites across the country to feed low-income children when school is out. During the 2011 Wyoming School Nutrition Association Conference in Casper, Thornton was joined by Wyoming dignitaries and officials including Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Congressman Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Wyoming's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Cindy Hill. The three day event includes more than 150 participants and 200 children.</p>
<p>"Each year, millions of Americans struggle to provide healthy meals to their children during the summer," said Thornton. "Thanks to our valued partners, more stakeholders in Wyoming and around the nation are aware of the nutrition gap low-income children face when school is out of session."</p>
<p>During the regular school year, more than 21 million children nationwide receive free and reduced-priced meals through the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program" target="extWindow" title="Link opens in new window">National School Lunch Program</a>, yet little more than 3 million kids are fed in summer meals programs. Thornton emphasized the Administration's commitment to feed more hungry children this summer. She also touted renewed efforts by USDA and partners to highlight the important nutrition benefits provided by the SFSP and other healthy meal options available for low-income children across the country. This summer:</p>
<ul><li>Let's Move! Faith and Communities (part of First Lady Michelle Obama's <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/" target="extWindow" title="Link opens in new window">Let's Move!</a> initiative) will work with partners to host new feeding sites at congregations and neighborhood organizations;</li>
<li>the Corporation for National and Community Service's 515 AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates will work at anti-hunger organizations across the country to feed more children in programs, including the SFSP;</li>
<li>sponsors will benefit from <a href="/pressrelease/2011/014911" target="extWindow" title="Link opens in new window">new waivers to simplify existing regulations</a> in the SFSP to streamline ways to feed low-income children when school is out;</li>
<li>several states will test innovative enhancements to the SFSP, including the provision of food backpacks to provide assistance over weekends, and meal delivery to reach children in rural areas;</li>
<li>and last week Secretary Vilsack kicked-off the first National Summer Food Service Program Week, a week-long awareness campaign promoting initiatives across the nation aimed at nourishing low-income children during summer months.</li>
</ul><p>USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/" target="extWindow" title="Link opens in new window">Food and Nutrition Service</a> (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program and other child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov" target="extWindow" title="Link opens in new window">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs and go to <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/ech/" target="extWindow" title="Link opens in new window">http://www.fns.usda.gov/ech/</a> to see how you can help end childhood hunger.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-3" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:53:30 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"920 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:196;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:104:"USDA Announces New Rule to Strengthen Integrity and Oversight in Leading Nutrition Assistance Program   ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/026311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4493:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;New Rule Will Assess Strict Penalties for Violations &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0263.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-06-17T00:00:00-04:00">06/17/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p class="BodyTextBlack">WASHINGTON, June 17, 2011 – The Department of Agriculture today announced the publication of a proposed rule to strengthen program integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by ending the practice called "water dumping." "Water dumping" involves buying beverages that require a container deposit and immediately dumping out the contents in order to return the container and receive the deposit credit in cash. The proposed rule would make this practice a client violation that would be categorized as a trafficking offense and could result in a recipient's disqualification.</p>
<p class="BodyTextBlack">"At a time when so many Americans are coping with economic hardship, we need to do everything possible to ensure that all SNAP benefits are used only as intended – to help struggling individuals and families put healthy food on the table," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "It is a top priority of this administration to maintain public confidence in SNAP and fight actions that can undermine the intent of the program. This rule gives USDA new tools to do just that."</p>
<p class="BodyTextBlack">The Food and Nutrition Act provides for the disqualification of any person who has been found by a state or federal court or administrative agency to have intentionally abused their SNAP benefits. The proposed rule, a result of a provision in the 2008 Farm Bill, was published in the Federal Register today as part of an ongoing, continuous, and broad effort to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure program integrity in SNAP.</p>
<p class="BodyTextBlack">Over the last 15 years, FNS has aggressively implemented a number of measures to reduce the prevalence of trafficking in SNAP from 4 percent down to its current level of 1 percent. FNS also continues to work closely with its state and federal partners to investigate and prosecute trafficking. In addition to assessing penalties on clients, this rule updates the definition of trafficking to include the stealing of benefits and other trafficking variations employed by violating retailers.</p>
<p class="BodyTextBlack">To comment on the proposed rule, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov" target="extWindow" title="Link opens in new window">www.regulations.gov</a> and search for Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 0584-AD97, "SNAP: Program Provisions of Title IV of Public Law 110-246, Subtitle A, Part IV (Eligibility Disqualification) and Subtitle B, Part II (SNAP-FDPIR Dual Participation)".</p>
<p class="BodyTextBlack">SNAP puts healthy food on the table for over 44 million people each month, half of whom are children. Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, SNAP is the largest of the domestic food and nutrition assistance program administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. Serving about 1 in 7 Americans each month, SNAP is the cornerstone of America's safety-net against hunger.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/water-dumping" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Water Dumping</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:56:06 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"921 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:197;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:107:"Nation&#039;s Primary Nutrition Assistance Program Reaches Highest Accuracy Rate in History of the Program ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/025611";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6346:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot; class=&quot;BodyTextBlack&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;Improved Administration Results in $356 Million Reduction in Incorrect Payments&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0256.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-06-16T00:00:00-04:00">06/16/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 16, 2011 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with state partners has improved payment accuracy and program integrity in the nation's largest nutrition assistance program. Vilsack commended selected states for their excellence in administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. The national average level of program payment accuracy for FY 2010 is (96.19 percent), the fourth consecutive year the program has achieved a historically high rate. The accuracy rate for Fiscal Year 2010 is at an all time high and underscores the Administration's ongoing effort to make government more accountable to the American people.</p>
<p>"The Obama administration has made it clear that we will track down and eliminate misspent tax dollars in every agency and department across the federal government," said Vilsack. "USDA and our state agency partners have done just that in achieving historically high accuracy rates in SNAP and we will continue to make improvements that protect taxpayer dollars while putting healthy food on the table for struggling individuals and families."</p>
<p>Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, each state agency is responsible for monitoring and improving its administration of SNAP. The SNAP Quality Control System determines the accuracy of the benefits authorized. The national payment error rate was 3.81 percent in FY 2010, a record low. Without this improvement, FY 2010 improper payments would have been $356 million higher.</p>
<p>Working in collaboration with USDA, state agencies continue to enhance SNAP program integrity even as demand has increased in response to national economic conditions. This year, USDA is investing in process improvement efforts that examine local office processes and identify and implement efficiencies. The department is also interested in funding projects that use technology to achieve procedural changes, such as document imaging, telephone interviews or web-based access to case status information. Today's announcement proves that states' efforts to ensure program integrity and improve their process for administering SNAP are working.</p>
<p>SNAP benefits are essential to the nutrition and well-being of one in seven people in our nation and also provide an economic stimulus that strengthens communities. Research shows that every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates as much as $9.00 in economic activity. SNAP benefits move quickly into local economies, with 97 percent of SNAP benefits redeemed within a month. It is estimated that at least 8,900 full-time equivalent jobs are created from $1 billion of SNAP benefits.</p>
<p>USDA provides monetary incentives to the seven states with the best payment accuracy rates and the three states with the most improved payment accuracy, while $6 million is awarded among the four states with the lowest negative error rates and the most improve negative error rates. For the second straight year, states overall have improved their negative error rates (a measure of denials, terminations, and suspensions). Two states, Texas and Illinois, are being recognized for both best payment accuracy rates and most improved accuracy rates.</p>
<p>The states below were recognized for their performance rates:</p>
<p>Best Payment Accuracy Rate (figures represent the error rate as a percentage)</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">Florida 0.78<br />South Dakota 1.31<br />Delaware 1.52<br />Illinois 1.70<br />Mississippi 1.92<br />Wisconsin 1.97<br />Georgia 1.99<br />Texas 2.13<br />Alaska 2.15</p>
<p>Most Improved Accuracy Rate (figures represent the improvement rate as a percentage)</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">Texas 4.77<br />Indiana 4.53<br />Illinois 4.47</p>
<p>Best Negative Error Rate</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">Nebraska 0.00<br />South Dakota 0.25<br />North Dakota 1.24<br />Oregon 2.12</p>
<p>Most Improved Negative Error Rate (figures represent the percentage point improvement)</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">District of Columbia 27.18<br />Michigan 20.55</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. The largest program, SNAP, puts healthy food on the table for more than 44 million people each month, half of whom are children.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/program-integrity" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Program Integrity</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/payment-accuracy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Payment Accuracy</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/quality-control" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Quality Control</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:58:06 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"922 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:198;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:87:"Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee to Expand Access to School Meals for Children in Need ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/025511";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5709:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot; class=&quot;BodyTextBlack&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;Participation in the Universal Meal Service Option Targets Nutrition in High-Poverty Areas&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0255.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-06-15T00:00:00-04:00">06/15/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 15, 2011 – USDA announced today that Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee were selected to participate in the initial year of an innovative universal free meal service option that makes it easier for low-income children to receive meals in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The "Community Eligibility Option" will allow schools in high-poverty areas to eliminate the use of applications and provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.</p>
<p>"Community eligibility is a great way for schools to cut through burdensome red tape for themselves and low-income families so that children in high-poverty areas have access to the nutrition they need to learn and thrive," said Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. "Schools will benefit from reduced paperwork, parents will not have to fill out duplicative forms, and children in need will get better access to healthy school meals."</p>
<p>Under this option, schools utilize preexisting data to determine the amount of reimbursement they can claim from USDA. The determination is primarily based on the percentage of households in that community who are already participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. Schools that utilize this option agree to provide meals to all children free of charge, and USDA reimburses them for the appropriate amount based on this preexisting data. Under this option, schools will still be responsible for paying the remaining difference between the Federal reimbursement amount and the total cost to operate the program.</p>
<p>The Community Eligibility Option is among the early reforms enacted as a result of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, signed by President Obama on December 13, 2010. The Act requires the Community Eligibility Option to be phased-in over three years and authorizes USDA to select up to three states to participate in the option in School Year 2011-12. The Option will be offered to additional states in successive years, and will be available to all states beginning School Year 2014-15.</p>
<p>For the phase-in period, the law requires USDA to select states "with an adequate number and variety of schools and local educational agencies that could benefit from" the Community Eligibility option. USDA identified ten states as eligible to apply for consideration for participation in the initial school year and, based on a review of information submitted by these states, USDA selected Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee for School Year 2011-2012.</p>
<p>Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The legislation authorizes USDA's child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Summer Food Service Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children, and help a new generation win the future by having healthier lives. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative's goal to end childhood obesity in a generation.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:32:17 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"925 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:199;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:89:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Finalists in Recipes for Healthy Kids Competition";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/025311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6105:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">&lt;p align=&quot;center&quot; class=&quot;BodyTextBlack&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;Student Chefs Compete for Grand Prize in National Cook-Off &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0253.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-06-15T00:00:00-04:00">06/15/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 15, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the finalists in First Lady Michelle Obama's Recipes for Healthy Kids competition, a national contest to promote healthy eating among children. The first place recipes from categories of Whole Grains, Dark Green and Orange Vegetables, and Dry Beans and Peas will compete for the Grand Prize at a national cook-off event during the American Culinary Federation National Convention in Dallas, Texas, on July 25.</p>
<p>"Creating and consuming nutritious meals provides a foundation for healthy lives among America's children," said Vilsack. "The Obama administration supports the many innovative strategies in place that enable our schoolchildren to learn, thrive, grow – and ultimately win the future. We congratulate these teams on their hard work, creativity, and dedication to improving the health and nutrition of kids across the country."</p>
<p>USDA and the First Lady launched the Recipes for Healthy Kids competition last September, challenging teams of school nutrition professionals, chefs, students, and community members to develop creative, nutritious, and kid-approved recipes that schools can easily incorporate into National School Lunch Program menus. The contest is a component of the First Lady's broader Let's Move! initiative that also includes Chefs Move to Schools, which encourages chefs to work with schools in their communities.</p>
<p>The public also had the opportunity to vote on their favorite selection in the Popular Choice Award. The honoree for the Popular Choice Award, Tasty Tots from Bellingham Memorial Middle School Bellingham, Mass., will receive $1,500.</p>
<p>The first, second, and runner-up winning recipes and schools for each category are:</p>
<p><strong>Dark Green and Orange Vegetables</strong></p>
<ul><li><strong>First Place</strong>: Central Valley Harvest Bake, Joshua Cowell School, Manteca, Calif.</li>
<li><strong>Second Place</strong>: Stir-Fry Fajita Chicken, Squash, and Corn, Monument Valley High School, Kayenta Unified School District, Kayenta, Ariz.</li>
<li><strong>Runner-up</strong>: Crunchy Hawaiian Chicken Wrap, Mount Lebanon Elementary School, Pendleton, S.C.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Whole Grains</strong></p>
<ul><li><strong>First Place</strong>: Porcupine Sliders, Intermediate District 287, South Education Center Alternative, Richfield, Minn.</li>
<li><strong>Second Place</strong>: Chic' Penne, Harold S. Winograd K-8 School Mission, Greeley, Colo.</li>
<li><strong>Runner-up</strong>: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Bellingham Memorial Middle School, Bellingham, Mass.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Dry Beans and Peas</strong></p>
<ul><li><strong>First Place</strong>: Tuscan Smoked Turkey &amp; Bean Soup, Ira B. Jones Elementary School, Asheville, N.C.</li>
<li><strong>Second Place</strong>: Lentils of the Southwest, Sweeney Elementary School, Santa Fe Public Schools, Santa Fe, N.M.</li>
<li><strong>Runner-up</strong>: Confetti Soup, Burke Middle and High School, Charleston County School District, Charleston, S.C.</li>
</ul><p>To recognize and share the culinary creativity nationwide, the top ten recipes in each category will be published in a Recipes for Healthy Kids Cookbook to share with students and families.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the child nutrition programs. Improving child nutrition is also a focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that was signed in to law by President Obama in December 2010. This legislation authorizes USDA's child nutrition programs, including the <a href="/sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> and the <a href="/slp">National School Lunch Program</a>, which serves nearly 32 million children each day. It will allow USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.LetsMove.gov">www.LetsMove.gov</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthy-hunger-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:36:26 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"926 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:200;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:126:"Agriculture Secretary Joins Nutrition Partners to Highlight Childhood Hunger Campaign and Summer Food Service Program for Kids";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/023311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6538:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Public-Private Partnership Aims to Connect More Kids to Nutrition Programs and End Childhood Hunger in Virginia by 2015</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0233.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-06-07T00:00:00-04:00">06/07/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>ARLINGTON, Va., June 7, 2011—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today joined Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and No Kid Hungry National Campaign spokesperson Jeff Bridges to launch the Virginia No Kid Hungry Campaign, a public-private partnership that will work to connect Virginia's children and teens to school breakfast and child care nutrition programs, including summer meals programs. As many schools begin their summer recess, Vilsack highlighted the importance of USDA's <a href="/sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> to help children get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school.</p>
<p>"The health and wellbeing of our nation is dependent on the health of our children, and no child should ever have to go hungry," said Vilsack. "USDA works to provide low-income kids nutritious meals during the school year and in the summer so they can learn, grow, and reach their full potential. We know that our strength comes from our partnerships, and it will take everyone—government agencies, educators, elected officials, corporations, advocates and community leaders—to ensure that our children have a healthy start in life."</p>
<p>The campaign is an example of the strength of public-private partnerships that will work to connect Virginia's more than 1.8 million children and teens to school breakfast and child care nutrition programs. More than 218,000 children and teens in Virginia face hunger, and studies have shown that during the summer, children are at an even higher risk for both hunger and obesity because they lose access to regular, nutritious school meals. The Virginia Summer Meals for Kids Program, funded by the USDA, provides children free summer meals at hundreds of sites across the Commonwealth. However, more than 80 percent of those eligible for free and reduced-price school meals who can get free summer meals, don't participate. </p>
<p>In 2009, over 50 million individuals in the United States, or 16.6 percent of the population, lived in food insecure households. Children are most at risk. During the same time frame, over 17 million children lived in food insecure households. These homes had difficulty providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources at some time during the year. The anti-hunger initiatives announced today, along with the <a href="/sites/default/files/ech_stakeholder_guide.pdf">Stakeholder Guide to Ending Childhood Hunger</a> recently published on USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">Food and Nutrition Service</a> website, are all tools to help individuals and families put food on the table.</p>
<p>As of October 1, 2010, USDA passed administration of Virginia's SFSP to the Virginia Department of Health's (VDH) division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Food Programs (NuPAFP). SFSP provides federal funding to eligible sponsor organizations to provide meals and snacks to lower income children during the summer months when school is not in session. SFSP sponsor organizations can be a school, camp, governmental entity, private non-profit organization, or a college participating in the National Youth Sports Program. Nationally, SFSP serves 2 million children a day.</p>
<p>Improving child nutrition is also a focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that was signed by President Obama on December 13, 2010. This legislation reauthorizes USDA'S child nutrition programs, including the <a href="/sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> and the <a href="/slp">National School Lunch Program</a>, which serves nearly 32 million children each day. It will allow USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.LetsMove.gov">www.LetsMove.gov</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hunger-healthy-free-kids-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Hunger Healthy Free Kids Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/ending-childhood-hunger" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Ending Childhood Hunger</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lets-move-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:42:03 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"927 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:201;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:95:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Partners Urge Action to Feed More Hungry Children This Summer";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/023011";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6150:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Kicks-off First-Ever National Summer Food Service Program Awareness Week</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0230.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-06-06T00:00:00-04:00">06/06/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, June 6, 2011 – Secretary Tom Vilsack today kicked-off the first-ever National Summer Food Service Program Week:“Food That's In When School Is Out,” a week-long awareness campaign to promote USDA’s <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> (SFSP) and other initiatives across the country to feed low-income children during summer when school is out. The SFSP, a federally funded program designed to alleviate hunger during the summer, operates through partnerships between USDA, state agencies and local organizations.</p>
<p>“When it comes to our children, we must do everything possible to provide them the nutrition needed to be healthy, active and ready to win the future," said Vilsack. "But we also recognize that government cannot address this challenge alone, which is why this week we join our valued partners to raise awareness about the nutrition gap low-income children face when school is out of session. Working together, government, non-profit and faith-based organizations, as well as the public, can make sure children have access to nutritious food year round.”</p>
<p>Today, at least 17 million children in the United States face a higher risk for hunger during the summer. Although more than 21 million children nationwide receive free and reduced-priced meals through the <a href="/slp">National School Lunch Program</a> during the regular school year, little more than 3 million kids are fed in summer meal programs.</p>
<p>This week, USDA and its partners will redouble efforts to highlight the important nutrition benefits provided by the SFSP and other healthy meal options available for low-income children across the country. This summer:</p>
<ul><li>Let’s Move! Faith and Communities (part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let’s Move</a>! initiative) will work with partners to host new feeding sites at congregations and neighborhood organizations;</li>
<li>the Corporation for National and Community Service’s 515 AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates will work at anti-hunger organizations across the country to feed more children in programs, including the SFSP;</li>
<li>sponsors will benefit from new <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2011/04/0149.xml&amp;navid=NEWS_RELEASE&amp;navtype=RT&amp;parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&amp;edeployment_action=retrievecontent">waivers to simplify existing regulation</a>s in the SFSP to streamline ways to feed low-income children when school is out;</li>
<li>several states will test innovative enhancements to the SFSP, including the provision of food backpacks to provide assistance over weekends, and meal delivery to reach children in rural areas.</li>
</ul><p>“Each summer, millions of families struggle to provide their children with nutritious meals when schools close,” said Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. “SFSP fills this gap by marshalling resources to curb food insecurity and end hunger for our nation’s children.</p>
<p>To find a summer feeding site in your community, call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-Hambre.” To find more ways you can help, search for volunteer opportunities at <a href="http://www.serve.gov">www.serve.gov/endhunger</a>.</p>
<p>Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act signed into law by President Obama in December 2010. The legislation reauthorized the <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> and USDA’s other child nutrition programs. The Act allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to school meals and increase access to these critical programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is also the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation.</p>
<p>USDA’s <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">Food and Nutrition Service</a> (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program and other child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">http://www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ending-childhood-hunger" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Ending Childhood Hunger</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:16:08 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"928 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:202;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:64:"USDA Highlights the Launch of Let&#039;s Move! in Indian Country";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/021911";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9366:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0219.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-05-25T00:00:00-04:00">05/25/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 25, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today applauded The Office of the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative and the launch of Let's Move! in Indian Country (LMIC). LMIC is an effort designed to support and advance the work that tribal leaders and community members are already doing to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native children. As a part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative, LMIC brings together federal agencies, communities, nonprofits, corporate partners, and tribes to end the epidemic of childhood obesity in Indian Country within a generation by everyone playing a role. The launch was held at the Menominee Nation in Keshena, Wisconsin.</p>
<p>"This is a special day for the Tribes and for USDA. Let's Move! in Indian Country, will help promote healthy eating and physical activity among Native Americans and is an important part of the effort to reduce teen and childhood obesity rates," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "USDA is committed to working with native communities to create a healthy start for children, and providing the nutrition assistance that will lead to healthy lives."</p>
<p>The Let's Move! in Indian Country initiative seeks to support and advance the work that Tribal leaders and community members are already doing to improve the health of Native American children. As a part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative, LMIC brings together federal agencies, communities, nonprofits, corporate partners, and tribes to mitigate childhood obesity in Indian Country within a generation.</p>
<p>USDA continues to work with tribal governments to expand their access to the full range of USDA programs by supporting and establishing local and regional food systems. USDA is helping build strong and resilient American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian farming and ranching enterprises that will create jobs and strong economies in Native communities across the country. Additionally, the department is collaborating to increase the number of food policy councils in Indian Country to improve food production opportunities and the availability of locally grown foods.</p>
<p>"We are committed to working with Tribal nations to improving access to healthy, affordable foods on Indian Reservations and tribal lands," said Janie Hipp, Director of USDA's Office of Tribal Relations, "Let's Move! in Indian Country will help support and expand efforts on the ground that will make great strides in improving the nutrition and health of tribal members."</p>
<p>USDA has a long history of supporting the goals of LMIC by working with Tribal nations through a variety of rural development and nutrition assistance programs including the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). LMIC will build on the success of these widely used programs and focus on expanding participation in other federal nutrition programs including the School Breakfast Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Program which provides healthy snacks to school children, the Child and Adult Care Food Program which can now reimburse schools and afterschool programs providing an evening meal, and the Summer Food Service Program which feeds children and teens when school is out. Additionally, our Rural Development Programs have financed numerous projects in Indian Country, ranging from teacher housing to small businesses such as restaurants and grocery stores.</p>
<p>The goals of LMIC are complemented by USDA's efforts including:</p>
<p><strong>Creating a healthy FDPIR food package</strong></p>
<ul><li>To improve the FDPIR food package, USDA has taken a number of actions to increase the nutritional quality of FDPIR food offerings, including a 1995 partnership with the Department of Defense to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for the distribution on almost 100 reservations. This past year alone, USDA worked with DOD to expand the number of fresh fruit and vegetable offerings in the food package from 23 to 35. New items offered include avocados, seedless grapes, cherries, kiwi, honey dew melon, nectarines, and plums. The FDPIR Food Package serves over, 70,000 people each month in Indian Country.</li>
<li>A recent nutritional analysis concluded that individuals consuming FDPIR foods would achieve a Healthy Eating Index score of 81 out of 100, well above the average American diet. (58 out of 100). This underscores the program's success in providing a benefit to FDPIR clients that is not only cost-effective but nutritionally effective.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Grants to develop creative, self-initiated nutrition projects</strong></p>
<ul><li>In April, USDA announced that 15 Indian Tribal Organizations were selected to receive approximately $1 million in grants this year. The grants will help develop creative, self-initiated projects designed to enhance the nutrition knowledge and to foster positive lifestyle changes of low-income households living on Indian reservations and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma.</li>
<li>Projects chosen this year for the grants include a recipe toolkit containing menus, shopping lists, and snack ideas featuring more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; summer camp programs for youth to teach healthy cooking techniques; nutrition education sessions held during scheduled food deliveries for participants in remote reservation areas; and community gardens to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. Among the recipients is the Menominee Indian Tribe of Keshena, Wisc., where the launch of LMIC is being held. The Menominee Indian Tribe will use their grant to offer cooking and canning classes to FDPIR eligible participants and assist 30 families in developing home vegetable gardens.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Passage of Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act</strong></p>
<ul><li>The passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act signed by President Obama in December 2010 allows USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children. This will help native communities win the future by having healthier lives. The bill also expanded the afterschool supper program to youth in low-income areas in all 50 states, including reservations. It will improve the food environment at schools participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, including tribal schools, by providing USDA with the authority to set nutritional standards for all foods sold in schools, including in vending machines, the "a la carte" lunch lines, and school stores. It also enhances universal meal access for eligible children in high poverty communities by eliminating paper applications and using census data to determine school wide income eligibility.</li>
</ul><p>Let's Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let's Move! and USDA are working to put native families on the path to a healthy future.</p>
<p>FDPIR and the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs are among 15 nutrition assistance programs overseen by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. Many households participate in the FDPIR as an alternative to the Special Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps, because they do not have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores. These programs touch the lives of one in four Americans each year and work together to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:23:06 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"930 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:203;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:112:"USDA Presents HealthierUS School Challenge Honors to 154 Dallas Schools for Excellence in Nutrition and Fitness ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/021811";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5392:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0218.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-05-25T00:00:00-04:00">05/25/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>DALLAS, May 25, 2011 -- USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Janey Thornton today recognized 154 Dallas schools for their efforts to expand nutrition and physical activity opportunities, the largest group of honorees from one district to date. USDA and its partners, the National Football League and the National Dairy Council, joined students, teachers, foodservice professionals, and community leaders for the <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/healthierus/index.html">HealthierUS School Challenge</a> celebration. This is the largest number of awards ever presented to a single school district and the state of Texas leads the nation in the highest number of awards.</p>
<p>"HealthierUS Schools have taken an active role in combating childhood obesity by incorporating healthier menus and introducing more physical activities during the school day," said Thornton. "The strong foundation these schools have built supports a clear path for our nation's young people to win the future."</p>
<p>The Challenge and Fuel Up to Play 60 are key components of First Lady Michelle Obama's <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let's Move</a>! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. Last year, the First Lady and USDA called on stakeholders to double the number of HUSSC schools within in a year and add 1,000 schools per year for two years after that. As of May 9, 1,001 schools are certified, well on the way toward the goal of 1,250 schools in this school year. Schools participating in the HUSSC voluntarily adopt USDA standards for food they serve at their schools, agree to offer nutrition education and to provide opportunities for physical activity. Other Let's Move! child nutrition initiatives include <a href="http://www.fueluptoplay60.com/">Fuel Up to Play 60</a>, a customizable in-school program that empowers youth in more than 70,000 schools to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health. It encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (including low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.</p>
<p>USDA recently announced that it will be investing $5.5 million in grants with approximately $2.5 million set aside to provide non-competitive grants (up to $50,000) to each State Agency that commits to specific strategies to increase the number of HealthierUS School Challenge applications submitted for approval. Up to $350,000 may be requested to include both competitive and non-competitive grants.</p>
<p>"First Lady Michelle Obama and USDA believe that schools can take a leadership role in helping students learn to make healthier eating and active lifestyle choices for better health," said Janey Thornton, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. "Today, we honor their commitment and encourage other schools to emulate their efforts in fostering these environments."</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. The programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs provide nutritionally balanced, free and low-cost meals to nearly 32 million school children each school day. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, puts healthy food in reach for more than 44 million Americans each month, half of whom are children.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hussc" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HUSSC</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/healthierus-school-challenge" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HealthierUS School Challenge</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lets-move-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/fuel-play-60" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Fuel Up to Play 60</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/food-stamps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Food Stamps</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:27:33 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"931 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:204;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"USDA Officials to Visit Southern States Affected By Natural Disasters";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/021311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6434:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Officials Will Assess Damages and Discuss Available Assistance with Rural Communities</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0213.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-05-19T00:00:00-04:00">05/19/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>VIDALIA, La., May 19, 2011 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager and Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse will begin today a two-day tour of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri, to meet with those affected by recent disasters.</p>
<p>"With assistance from USDA and other Federal agencies, the Obama Administration is working to help residents, farmers, ranchers and businesses that have been hard hit by recent floods and tornadoes," said Tonsager.</p>
<p>"Our hearts go out to all of those affected by the disasters," said Scuse. "Our first-hand assessments will allow us to identify the unique farm safety net and rural community development needs of the impacted region."</p>
<p>USDA agencies have been working for weeks with state and local officials, as well as individuals, businesses, farmers and ranchers, as they begin the process of helping to get people back on their feet. USDA offers a variety of resources for states and individuals affected by the recent disasters. Individuals can also apply for other types of federal disaster assistance at <a href="http://www.disasterassistance.gov">www.disasterassistance.gov</a>.</p>
<p>In rural communities, USDA's Rural Development will continue to work with existing individual and community borrowers that have been affected by a natural disaster to help them with their loans. With respect to loans guaranteed by Rural Development, borrowers should initially contact their lender for assistance.</p>
<p>Rural Development provides FEMA with regular information as to vacant units in multi-family housing complexes financed by the agency, and following a Presidential disaster declaration, FEMA can assist with placement and vouchers to cover short-term rental costs. Housing and business assistance programs are available over the longer term to help finance repair and replacement of homes and businesses.</p>
<p>USDA's Farm Service Agency provides emergency loans through the Emergency Loan Program to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to natural disasters. Producers will be eligible for these loans as soon as their county is declared a Presidential or Secretarial disaster county. Emergency loan funds may be used to: restore or replace essential property; pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year; pay essential family living expenses; reorganize the farming operation; and refinance certain debts.</p>
<p>The heavy rainfall and flood conditions across the Midwest and South have caused crop damage and slowed planting this spring. USDA's Risk Management Agency reminds producers faced with questions on prevented planting, replant, or crop losses this spring to contact their crop insurance agent for more information. USDA is working with the States affected to determine what damages qualify for crop insurance indemnities and/or the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program. As announced by USDA earlier in May, producers who farm in the Morganza and Birds Point-New Madrid Floodways and purchased crop insurance will be eligible for crop insurance indemnities in accordance with the provisions of their crop insurance policies. Those producers who are unable to plant, but have purchased crop insurance, will be eligible for prevented planting payments in accordance with the provisions of their policies.</p>
<p>USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Emergency Watershed Protection program, which provides assistance to areas that have been damaged by natural disasters, such as floods, windstorms, drought, and wildfires. In partnership and through local government sponsors, NRCS helps local communities recover from natural disasters.</p>
<p>The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides food assistance to those in need in areas affected by a disaster. This Federal assistance is in addition to that provided by State and local governments. USDA provides disaster food assistance in three ways: ;provides foods to State agencies for distribution to shelters and other mass feeding sites; provides food to State agencies for distribution directly to households in need in certain limited situations; and authorizes State agencies to issue Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.</p>
<p>USDA staff in the affected states can work with citizens and state and local and other federal officials to explain the type of aid that is available. For additional information and updates about USDA's relief efforts please visit <a href="http://www.usda.gov">www.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/d-snap" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">d-snap</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/disaster-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:30:32 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"932 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:205;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:72:"USDA Awards Grants to Improve Sustainable Food Systems and Reduce Hunger";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/019911";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6041:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0199.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jennifer Martin (202) 720-8188</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-05-05T00:00:00-04:00">05/05/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 5, 2011 — As part of an effort to reduce hunger and food insecurity, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants to improve sustainable regional and local food systems.</p>
<p>"More than 17 million American households lacked the resources to access sufficient food in 2009, and the people living in one-third of these households went hungry at least once during the year," Merrigan said. "The grants we are announcing today will help us win the future by understanding the needs of low-income communities in order to better meet their food and nutrition needs."</p>
<p>The grants were awarded by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Many regional and local sustainable food system programs across the country address food insecurity by developing small food economies in diverse ways. Projects funded through this program explore ways to improve food systems on a local level, by helping disadvantaged communities in urban and rural areas establish sustainable food systems (food sheds).</p>
<p>Fiscal year 2010 awards include:</p>
<ul><li>University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, $1,124,664: To increase food security and improve diet quality in Alaskan communities and to strengthen local and regional markets for sustainably harvested fish.</li>
<li>University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, $48,845: To organize a conference to explore the constraints and opportunities for developing a sustainable red meat industry in Alaska.</li>
<li>Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich., $50,000: To organize a national conference: Making Good Food Work: A Conference on Local and Regional Food Distribution.</li>
<li>North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., $4,892,158: To establish a program to increase food security for Native people on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation.</li>
<li>Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa., $4,999,829: To evaluate regional food systems in the Northeast and enhance food security of underserved populations in the region.</li>
<li>Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., $2,041,100: To strengthen, sustain and expand the South-Atlantic Appalachian region foodshed of Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina with the dual aim of improving food security and local-regional food economies.</li>
<li>University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., $4,944,748: To examine existing food systems and identify barriers to increasing local access to nutritious food, making recommendations that are responsive to local needs.</li>
<li>University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyo., $4,983,481: To identify, develop and evaluate community organizing strategies for sustainable food systems for food security.</li>
</ul><p>These grants come on the heels of numerous efforts over the years by USDA and partners across America to end hunger. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act President Obama signed into law on December 13, 2010, is a significant investment in our children and efforts to end childhood hunger. The Act expanded the at-risk meals program (CACFP) which provides supper and after-school snacks to low-income children to all states. The Act also makes it easier for children to receive free meals in the <a href="/slp">National School Lunch</a> and <a href="/sbp">School Breakfast programs</a> through more expansive direct certification and community eligibility using existing data sources. USDA also recently announced a series of grants to help state agencies and their partners focus on improving program access for individuals, children and families in need. Those include $5 million in participation grants for SNAP and $5 million to 14 Hunger-Free Communities grantees in multiple states across the nation.</p>
<p>USDA's <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">Food and Nutrition Service</a> (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the child nutrition programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p>AFRI is NIFA's flagship competitive grant program and was established under the 2008 Farm Bill. AFRI supports work in six priority areas: plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition and health; renewable energy, natural resources and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities.</p>
<p>Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. More information is available at <a href="http://www.nifa.usda.gov">www.nifa.usda.gov</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:34:11 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"933 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:206;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:65:"USDA Introduces Online Tool for Locating &#039;Food Deserts&#039;";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/019111";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6062:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0191.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-05-02T00:00:00-04:00">05/02/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, May 2, 2011 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today introduced an Internet-based mapping tool that pinpoints the location of "food deserts" around the country and provides data on population characteristics of census tracts where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious foods.</p>
<p>The online Food Desert Locator, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS), is a tool that can be used to assist efforts to expand the availability of nutritious food in food deserts, or low-income communities that lack ready access to healthy food. Expanding the availability of nutritious food is part of First Lady Michele Obama's Let's Move! initiative to address the epidemic of childhood obesity.</p>
<p>"This new Food Desert Locator will help policy makers, community planners, researchers, and other professionals identify communities where public-private intervention can help make fresh, healthy, and affordable food more readily available to residents," said Vilsack. "With this and other Web tools, USDA is continuing to support federal government efforts to present complex sets of data in creative, accessible online formats."</p>
<p>A food desert is a low-income census tract where either a substantial number or share of residents has low access to a supermarket or large grocery store. "Low income" tracts are defined as those where at least 20 percent of the people have income at or below the federal poverty levels for family size, or where median family income for the tract is at or below 80 percent of the surrounding area's median family income. Tracts qualify as "low access" tracts if at least 500 persons or 33 percent of their population live more than a mile from a supermarket or large grocery store (for rural census tracts, the distance is more than 10 miles). This definition was developed by a working group comprised of members from the departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, and USDA, which is partnering to expand the availability of nutritious food.</p>
<p>Under these income and food access criteria, about 10 percent of the 65,000 census tracts in the United States meet the definition of a food desert. These food desert tracts contain 13.5 million people with low access to sources of healthful food. The majority of this population—82 percent—live in urban areas.</p>
<p>Users of the Web-based product can view a map of the United States that highlights and identifies census tracts that qualify as food deserts. Users can scan the map and zoom into an area or use the search feature to find a specific location. Users can create maps showing food desert census tracts. They can also view and download statistics on population characteristics of a selected tract—e.g., the percentage and number of people that are low income and have low access to large grocery outlets, or the number of "low-access" households without a car.</p>
<p>In Cook County, Ill., for example, which includes Chicago, 39 census tracts are food desert tracts. These tracts contain over 81,000 people with low access to a supermarket, including over 26,000 children under the age of 18. With the Locator, users can zoom in and view street names and other features of these and other food desert census tracts.</p>
<p>The Food Desert Locator comes on the heels of an earlier Web mapping tool documenting indicators of food access, which was also developed by ERS: the recently updated Food Environment Atlas. That product, unveiled by the First Lady at the launch of her Let's Move! initiative last year, presents a broad set of statistics on food choices, health and well-being, and community characteristics. It includes indicators of food access, but does not define or identify food deserts. The Atlas presents data at the county level, while the new Food Desert Locator data are at the census tract level, covering smaller subdivisions whose general population characteristics are often relatively homogeneous.</p>
<p>The Food Desert Locator is on the Web at <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/">www.ers.usda.gov/data/fooddesert</a>. The site contains an <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/">online media kit</a> that provides downloadable images and logos.</p>
<p>USDA's Economic Research Service is the department's primary source of economic information and research. ERS conducts research programs that inform public and private decision-making on economic and policy issues involving food, farming, natural resources, and rural development.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/food-desert-locator" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Food Desert Locator</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lets-move-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">let&#039;s move</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:37:53 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"934 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"gkaup";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:207;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:72:"USDA Joins National Partners in Highlighting New Anti-Hunger Initiatives";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/018911";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7366:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Secretary Vilsack Issues a Call to Action to Combat Hunger in America 
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0189.11 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-04-29T00:00:00-04:00">04/29/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 29, 2011 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined hunger advocates today to issue a call to action to end hunger in America. Secretary Vilsack announced a series of new <a href="http://www.endhunger.usda.gov/">online tools</a> and volunteer initiatives to increase the number of individuals, organizations, and governments actively working to end hunger across the country.</p>
<p>"If our nation is to win the future, we must make sure that all Americans have access to the nutrition they need," said Vilsack. "The federal government cannot end hunger alone so we are calling on the American public, corporations, schools, and community and faith-based organizations to get involved and make a commitment to end hunger."</p>
<p>Today, more than 50 million Americans are at risk of hunger, including 17 million children. Although USDA's nutrition programs provide assistance to 1 in 4 Americans and have kept the levels of food insecurity at bay during the recession, many eligible children and families do not participate. Working together, government, non-profit and faith-based organizations, and the public can make sure that no one goes hungry in the U.S.</p>
<p>"Millions of our neighbors are experiencing the hardship of hunger, and we must expand our efforts to provide food assistance to those in need," said Corporation for National and Community Service CEO Patrick A. Corvington. "In the midst of our great national abundance, the existence of widespread persistent hunger is inexcusable and new initiatives like the ones we are announcing here are critical to bringing an end to hunger."</p>
<p>During his remarks, Vilsack was joined by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) CEO Patrick A. Corvington at Bread for the City, a local food pantry, to highlight the following new initiatives found at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a>.</p>
<ul><li>Stakeholder Guide to Ending Childhood Hunger, a guide to assist individuals and organizations in choosing value-added activities and finding resources to help end childhood hunger;</li>
<li>Become a Champion to End Hunger, an online commitment drive that encourages organizations and the public to select actions they will take to reduce childhood hunger;</li>
<li>End Hunger Volunteerism Portal (<a href="http://www.serve.gov">www.serve.gov</a>), a website developed by CNCS where organizations can post volunteer opportunities and individuals can search for volunteer opportunities in their communities;</li>
<li>In his remarks, Corvington announced a commitment of 325 AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates that will be placed in anti-hunger organizations across the country this summer to feed more children by increasing participation in USDA's Summer Food Service Program, developing farmers markets and community gardens, teaching nutrition to families and youth, and increasing the long-term capacity food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and other faith-based and neighborhood organizations.</li>
</ul><p>Vilsack today thanked Bread for the City and other stakeholders for their unwavering efforts to combat hunger, assist communities, and increase access to USDA's nutrition assistance programs. Vilsack also recognized CNCS for their partnership with USDA to use AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to expand the number of meals served to hungry children this summer and for the creation of the National Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps which has placed 48 AmeriCorps VISTA members in communities across the nation to increase enrollment of eligible households in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He also recognized their work to strengthen anti-hunger organizations across the U.S. and for the creation of <a href="http://www.serve.gov/endhunger">www.serve.gov/endhunger</a>.</p>
<p>These new efforts come on the heels of numerous efforts over the years by USDA and partners across America to end hunger. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act President Obama signed into law on December 13, 2010 is a significant investment in our children and efforts to end childhood hunger. The act expanded the at-risk meals program (CACFP) which provides supper and after-school snack to low-income children to all states. The Act also makes it easier for children to receive free meals in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs through more expansive direct certification and community eligibility using existing data sources. USDA also recently announced a series of grants to help states agencies and their partners focus on improving program access for individuals, children and families in need. Those include $5 million in participation grants for SNAP and $5 million to 14 Hunger-Free Communities grantees in multiple states across the nation.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the child nutrition programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p>The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.NationalService.gov">www.NationalService.gov</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/new-anti-hunger-initiatives" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">New Anti-Hunger Initiatives</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ending-childhood-hunger" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Ending Childhood Hunger</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:39:17 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"937 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:208;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:77:"USDA Awards Grants to Reduce Hunger and Improve Nutrition of School-Aged Kids";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/018611";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4903:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0186.11 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-04-28T00:00:00-04:00">04/28/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 28, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced investments in three states that will take an important step towards eliminating childhood hunger in America. The grants are awarded to three state agencies to reduce paperwork and expedite certification of students for free meals in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The funds are intended to help improve direct certification rates for children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Through the process of direct certification, states and local educational agencies automatically enroll children for free school meals without requiring the child's family to complete and return a paper application.</p>
<p>"Improving access to nutrition programs is critical to ending childhood hunger and ensuring that every eligible child is receiving healthy meals during the school day," said Vilsack. "These direct certification grants will help school districts eliminate some of the paperwork involved with the School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, giving more children access to the nutrition they need to grow up and win the future."</p>
<p>These grants, authorized by the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, will support state agency efforts to plan and implement technology solutions to expedite the certification process for students. State agencies can use grant funds to create ways to identify students eligible for free meals by matching school records with federal assistance program records. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service expects to award additional grants for this purpose to states that meet the eligibility requirements, each fiscal quarter over the next year. The state agencies receiving the FY 2010 Direct Certification grants are:</p>
<ul><li>Connecticut - $71,462</li>
<li>New Mexico - $71,717</li>
<li>North Dakota – $111,744</li>
</ul><p>"These grants can reduce paperwork for families and schools by simplifying the certification process," said USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "This funding is a vital part of our strategy to make access to nutritious school meals as easy as possible for children in need, in every school district in the country."</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees 15 nutrition assistance programs that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. The programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs provide nutritionally balanced, free and low-cost meals to nearly 32 million school children each school day. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, puts healthy food in reach for more than 44 million Americans each month, half of whom are children.</p>
<p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm">http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/grants.htm</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/grants-reduce-hunger" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Grants to Reduce Hunger</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/improve-nutrition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Improve Nutrition</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/school-meals" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">school meals</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/school-breakfast-programs" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">School Breakfast Programs</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/school-lunch" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">School Lunch</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:10:50 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"941 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:209;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:100:"Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, NFL Quarterback Sam Bradford Urge Native American Youth to Get Active";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/018511";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5824:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0185.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Office of Communications (202)720-4623</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-04-27T00:00:00-04:00">04/27/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Washington, April 27, 2011—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomed St. Louis Rams Quarterback Sam Bradford to the Agriculture Department today and joined him in urging Native American youth to spend the summer pursuing healthy outdoor activities. Bradford, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, participated with over 30 Native American students at USDA's People's Garden in planting a Native American garden, called The Roots of American Agriculture.</p>
<p>"Through programs like 'Fuel Up to Play 60' and Let's Move!, the Obama administration is helping get kids active in order to help them have a healthy future," said Vilsack. "Our partners at the NFL and across the country are key to engaging kids in an exciting way that teaches them that physical activity can be fun, while also important to their health."</p>
<p>Bradford and Vilsack noted that a recent study of four year-old children found that obesity is more than twice as common among American Indian/Alaska Native children than among white or Asian children. In 2002, nearly 15 percent of those receiving care from the United States Indian Health Service (IHS) were estimated to have diabetes.</p>
<p>The USDA People's Garden Initiative promotes the establishment of school and community gardens to grow healthy food, people and communities across the country. Over 30 Native students helped plant the garden. Those participating included students representing Eastern and Western tribes, Southeast Alaska, and a class from a Native elementary school in Tuba City, Arizona. The garden showcases heirloom Native American crops and planting techniques and celebrates the tremendous contributions Native Americans have made to the foods we eat today.</p>
<p>Bradford and Vilsack were joined at USDA by Robin Schepper, executive director of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Campaign; Keith Moore, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Education Director, and Janie Hipp, Senior Advisor to Secretary Vilsack with the USDA Office of Tribal Relations.</p>
<p>The First Lady's <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let's Move!</a> initiative, which aims to end childhood obesity, has also since joined in support of Fuel Up to Play 60 and USDA's <a href="/hussc">HealthierUS Schools Challenge</a>, which are both helping to combat this issue and provide access to nutrition information.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fueluptoplay60.com/">Fuel Up to Play 60</a> is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council (NDC) and the National Football League (NFL), with additional partnership support from USDA. The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools.</p>
<p>On April 22, 2010, Bradford was selected by the St. Louis Rams as the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He grew up in Oklahoma and spent his college career with the Oklahoma Sooners. In 2008, Bradford became the second sophomore to win a Heisman Trophy. In his first season in the NFL, Bradford won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award after setting the record for most completions by a rookie in NFL history.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/native-american-youth" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Native American Youth</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/get-active" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Get Active</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/garden" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">garden</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/play-60" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Play 60</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/play60" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Play60</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/lets-move" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Let&#039;s Move</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/hussc" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HUSSC</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/initiative/hhfka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HHFKA</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:43:38 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"943 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:210;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:111:"New USDA Rule Encourages the Purchase of Local Agricultural Products for Critical Nutrition Assistance Programs";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/018011";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6175:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0180.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications  (703) 305-2281</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-04-26T00:00:00-04:00">04/26/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 26, 2011 – Today, Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced that USDA's child nutrition programs are implementing new rules designed to encourage use of local farm products in school meals. The final rule, published in the Federal Register, will let schools and other providers give preference to unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products as they purchase food for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Special Milk, Child and Adult Care, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable, and Summer Food Service programs. The rule is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 signed into law by President Obama and one of the key provisions to bolster farm to school programs across the country.</p>
<p>"This rule is an important milestone that will help ensure that our children have access to fresh produce and other agricultural products," said Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. "It will also give a much-needed boost to local farmers and agricultural producers."</p>
<p>The rule supports USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative which emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers. The effort builds on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides for increases and flexibility for USDA programs in an effort to revitalize rural economies by supporting local and regional food systems. 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' is helping to break down barriers that keep local food systems from thriving, create new opportunities for farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural communities, and expand access to healthy food throughout the country. USDA expects consumer demand for locally grown food in the U.S. to rise from an estimated $4 billion in 2002 to as much as $7 billion by 2012.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/">Farm to School</a> component of this effort is designed to help connect schools with regional or local farms in order to serve healthy meals using locally-sourced products in their cafeterias. Farm to school activities may also incorporate nutrition-based studies, as well as food-learning opportunities such as farm visits, gardening, cooking, and composting activities.</p>
<p>Improving child nutrition is also a focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that recently passed Congress and was signed by President Obama on December 13, 2010. This legislation authorizes USDA'S child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the Summer Food Service Program. It will allow USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">www.LetsMove.gov</a>.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs including the Summer Food Service Program; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the National School Lunch Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net. USDA administers these programs in partnership with state and local agencies and works with faith and community-based organizations to ensure that nutrition assistance is available to those in need. Additional information about the programs can be found at <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a> and the USDA's Farm to School initiative at: <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/">http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/</a>.<br /> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/usda-rule" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">USDA Rule</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/local-agricultural-products" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Local Agricultural Products</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/national-school-lunch" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">National School Lunch</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/school-breakfast" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">School Breakfast</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/special-milk" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Special Milk</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/child-and-adult-care" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Child and Adult Care</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/fresh-fruit-and-vegetable" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Fresh Fruit and Vegetable</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/summer-food-service-programs" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Summer Food Service programs</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:51:25 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"945 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:211;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:69:"USDA Kicks Off Judging Period in Recipes for Healthy Kids Competition";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/017911";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7558:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">15 semi-finalists in the &quot;Recipes for Healthy Kids&quot; contest to be Part of School Meal Enhancements Nationwide 
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0179.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jean Daniel FNS Office of Communications  703-305-2281 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-04-26T00:00:00-04:00">04/26/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 26, 2011 –Today, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced the start of the judging period in First Lady Michelle Obama's Recipes for Healthy Kids competition. A judging team led by Audrey Rowe, Administrator of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service visited a local school in Greeley today, kicking off visits to 15 semi-finalist schools around the nation. USDA and the First Lady launched the Recipes for Healthy Kids competition last September, challenging teams of school nutrition professionals, chefs, students, and community members to develop creative, nutritious, and kid-approved recipes that schools can easily incorporate into National School Lunch Program menus.</p>
<p>"Recipes for Healthy Kids draws on America's culinary creativity and expertise to improve school meals with kid-inspired recipes," said Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. "With many children consuming as many as half their daily calories at school, creating healthy meals is an important step in the Obama administration's effort to combat childhood obesity and improve the health and wellbeing of all our kids."</p>
<p>In accordance with the Recipes for Healthy Kids competition rules and judging criteria, the Food Nutrition Service (FNS) and American Culinary Federation (ACF) teams have determined the top five recipes in each of the three competition categories from among the 340 recipes that were received by the submission deadline. Fifteen recipes were chosen to move forward in the competition from schools in 11 states. From among the entries submitted, five were selected in each of three categories: whole grains, dark green and orange vegetables, and dry beans and peas. Recipes will be judged on student involvement, nutrition, creativity and originality, ease of use in schools, and recipe presentation.</p>
<p>The semi-finalist winning recipes and schools for each category are:</p>
<p>Whole Grains</p>
<ul><li>Chic' Penne, Harold S. Winograd K-8 School Mission, Greeley, Colorado</li>
<li>Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Bellingham Public Schools, Bellingham, Massachusetts </li>
<li>Stir Fried Green Rice, Eggs, and Ham, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Chapel Hill, North Carolina </li>
<li>Porcupine Sliders, Intermediate District 287, South Education Center Alternative, Richfield, Minnesota </li>
<li>Chicken Alfredo with a Twist, Kettering City School District, Kettering, Ohio </li>
</ul><p>Dark Green and Orange Vegetables</p>
<ul><li>Stir-Fry Fajita Chicken, Squash, and Corn, Kayenta Unified School District, Kayenta, Arizona</li>
<li>Crunchy Hawaiian Chicken Wrap, Mount Lebanon Elementary School, Pendleton, South Carolina </li>
<li>Roasted Fish Crispy Slaw Wrap, Liberty Middle School, Orange County Public Schools, Orlando, Florida </li>
<li>Central Valley Harvest Bake, Joshua Cowell Elementary School, Manteca, California </li>
<li>Tasty Tots, Bellingham Public Schools, Bellingham, Massachusetts </li>
</ul><p>Dry Beans and Peas</p>
<ul><li>Lentils of the Southwest, Sweeney Elementary School, Santa Fe Public Schools, Santa Fe, New Mexico </li>
<li>Fiesta Wrap, Charter Oak International Academy, West Hartford Public Schools, West Hartford, Connecticut </li>
<li>Spanish Chickpea Stew, Skyline High School, Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, California </li>
<li>Tuscan Smoked Turkey &amp; Bean Soup, Ira B. Jones Elementary School, Asheville, North Carolina </li>
<li>Confetti Soup, Burke Middle High School, Charleston County School District, Charleston, South Carolina </li>
</ul><p>Schools that entered the top five recipes in each category will also be visited onsite by a judging team of a USDA official, an American Culinary Federation chef, and a school nutrition professional to help determine the three finalists (one from each category) that will participate in a national cook-off event this summer. The recipes will also be posted on the Recipes for Healthy Kids website for voting for the Popular Choice award, which will close May 31. For a complete list and to vote on your favorite recipe, visit the Recipes for Healthy Kids website at: <a href="http://recipesforkids.challengepost.com/">http://www.recipesforkidschallenge.com</a>.</p>
<p>There will be a grand prize chosen by the judging panel as well as a Popular Choice winner based on public voting. The judging team will help determine the three finalists (one from each category) that will participate in a national cook-off event this summer at the American Culinary Federation Conference in Grapevine, Texas, on July 25. To recognize and share the culinary creativity nationwide, the top ten recipes in each category will be published in a Recipes for Healthy Kids Cookbook to share with students and families.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the child nutrition programs. Improving child nutrition is also a focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that was signed in to law by President Obama in December 2010. This legislation authorizes USDA's child nutrition programs, including the <a href="/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp">Summer Food Service Program</a> and the <a href="/nslp/national-school-lunch-program">National School Lunch Program</a>, which serves nearly 32 million children each day. It will allow USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is the legislative centerpiece legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">www.LetsMove.gov</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/national-school-lunch-program" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">National School Lunch Program</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/recipes-healthy-kids-competition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Recipes for Healthy Kids competition</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:46:42 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"946 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:212;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:128:"USDA Announces Award of the Center of Excellence for Food Safety Research in Child Nutrition Programs to Kansas State University";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/016311";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5535:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Center of Excellence Aims to Improve Food Safety for Children
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0163.11 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">FNS Office of Communications  703-305-2281 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-04-14T00:00:00-04:00">04/14/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 14, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that Kansas State University was selected to establish the Center of Excellence for Food Safety Research in Child Nutrition Programs. The Center will provide science-based support to improve the safety of foods provided through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, particularly those served in schools and child care settings.</p>
<p>"Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our nation's children and we must do everything we can to ensure that kids are being served safe, high quality meals," said Vilsack. "The Center of Excellence will provide research on important topics such as produce safety and evaluation of school food safety programs."</p>
<p>The Center of Excellence will provide a new and holistic research approach to determine how new initiatives, such as farm-to-school purchasing and school gardens, and emerging science affect food safety in FNS school and child care programs. A multidisciplinary approach, including both basic and applied research, will draw expertise from fields such as foodservice management, food safety, food microbiology, agricultural production, education, and the social sciences. The center will be funded with a two-year, $1.6 million grant and will open as soon as the grant is awarded.</p>
<p>"We are excited about this new opportunity to support research focused on the unique food safety aspects of our programs," said Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. "Research conducted by the Center will provide important information that we can use to improve programs and to develop education and training opportunities for school nutrition and child care employees. Kansas State University has a long history of research and education related to food service management, and will provide excellent leadership for school and child care food safety research."</p>
<p>Many of the individuals served in FNS nutrition assistance programs are children, who are vulnerable to foodborne illness. To address this, USDA has put a number of initiatives in place to promote food safety for our children. In partnership with the Agriculture Marketing Service, FNS also conducts Produce Safety University, a series of week-long workshops focusing on safe handling of fresh produce by school nutrition directors.</p>
<p>The National School Lunch Program is provided in over 101,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions, serving over 31 million children each day. About 3.2 million children and 112,000 adults are served daily through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.</p>
<p>USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the school meals programs, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/award-center-excellence" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Award of the Center of Excellence</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/food-safety-research-child-nutrition-programs" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Food Safety Research in Child Nutrition Programs</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/nutrition-assistance-programs" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">nutrition assistance programs</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/research" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">research</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-initiatives field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Initiatives:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/initiative/food-safety" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Food  Safety</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:55:21 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"947 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:213;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:106:"USDA Announces Nutrition Education Grants to Improve the Health and Wellbeing of Tribal Members Nationwide";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/015911";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6243:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-release-no field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Release #:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">0159.11</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-contact field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Contact:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Jean Daniel FNS Communications 703-305-2281 </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-date field-type-datetime field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2011-04-08T00:00:00-04:00">04/08/2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>WASHINGTON, April 8, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that tribal nutrition education projects in 10 states have been selected to receive grants this year through USDA's Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The grants will help develop creative, self-initiated projects designed to enhance the nutrition knowledge and to foster positive lifestyle changes of FDPIR participants in low-income households living on Indian reservations and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. Janie Hipp, Director of USDA's Office of Tribal Relations, joined Governor Bill Anoatubby and Lt. Governor Jefferson Keel of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma to announce the grants on behalf of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.</p>
<p>"We are committed to working with Tribal nations to improve the nutrition and health on Indian Reservations and tribal lands," Vilsack said. "These projects will help support and expand nutrition education through self-initiated projects and provide better access to more fruits and vegetables so that we can make great strides in improving the nutrition and health of tribal members."</p>
<p>Each year, Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies that administer the program can apply for funding to expand nutrition education efforts. USDA chose 15 applicants, located in California, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin, to receive FY 2011 funding to develop nutrition education projects that incorporate the Dietary Guidelines within the Native American culture.</p>
<p>Projects chosen this year for the grants, which total $1 million, include a recipe toolkit containing menus, shopping lists, and snack ideas featuring more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; summer camp programs for youth to teach healthy cooking techniques; nutrition education sessions held during scheduled food deliveries for participants in remote reservation areas; and community gardens to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. The announcement comes as First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative celebrates National Gardening Month (April).</p>
<p>In Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation will expand the "Recipes Wrapped in Love" project. Families will develop and test new recipes that feature whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and the recipes will be incorporated into a Recipes Wrapped in Love toolkit. The toolkits will be distributed to 5,000 FDPIR participants and include recipes, menus, shopping lists, and snack ideas. The Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana will develop and maintain a garden planted by and cared for by youth, conduct food demonstrations featuring USDA Foods, conduct canning classes for FDPIR participants, and present nutrition information at various community events.</p>
<p>The projects selected are:</p>
<ul><li>Sherwood Valley Food Program (Willits, Calif.), $41,182</li>
<li>United Tribes of Kansas and Southeast Nebraska (White Cloud, Kan.), $2,164</li>
<li>Grand Portage Reservation (Grand Portage, Minn.), $9,827</li>
<li>Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Cass Lake, Minn.), $39,146</li>
<li>Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (Choctaw, Miss.), $44,941</li>
<li>Confederated Salish &amp; Kootenai Tribes (St. Ignatius, Mont.), $118,429</li>
<li>Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation (Box Elder, Mont.), $21,616</li>
<li>Pueblo of Zuni Food Distribution Program (Zuni, N.M.), $29,225</li>
<li>The Chickasaw Nation (Ada, Okla.), $109,435</li>
<li>Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Mission, S.D.), $94,000</li>
<li>Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Mountain Plains Nutrition Advisory Committee (Pine Ridge, S.D.), $75,366</li>
<li>South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (Shelton, Wash.), $60,645</li>
<li>Lummi Indian Business Council (Bellingham, Wash.), $119,290</li>
<li>Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Indians Food Distribution Program for the Midwest Nutrition Advisory Committee (Bayfield, Wis.), $115,181</li>
<li>Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (Keshena, Wis.) $39,194</li>
</ul><p>FDPIR is among 15 nutrition assistance programs overseen by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. Many households participate in the FDPIR as an alternative to the Special Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps, because they do not have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores. These programs touch the lives of one in four Americans each year and work together to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a> for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pr-tag field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tag:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/nutrition-education-grants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Nutrition Education Grants</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/tribal-members" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Tribal Members</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/indian-reservations" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Indian Reservations</a></div></div></div>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:00:25 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"948 at https://www.fns.usda.gov";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"dhudson";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}}}i:214;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:28:"
    
    
    
     
 
 
  ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:2:{s:0:"";a:5:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:104:"USDA Announces People&#039;s Garden School Pilot Program to Promote Garden-Based Learning Opportunities ";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2011/015511";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:52:"https://www.fns.usda.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rss";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:1;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4735:"<div class="field field-name-field-pr-subtitle field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">People&#039;s Gardens Aim to Provide Nutritious, Safe and Healthier Choices for Children and Communities