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Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Friday, April 11, 2014
Where Do Kids Eat When School is out in Summer? FNS Partners with the Department of Education to Find Solutions
USDA Blog Post:
Federal partnerships, like the one between USDA and the Department of Education, work to provide healthy summer meals solutions for our nation’s children.
As we approach the summer season, USDA is vigorously preparing to fill the nutrition gap faced by millions of kids across the country. While 21 million of our sons and daughters receive free and reduced-priced lunches during the school year, only a small percentage participate in the summer meals programs, leaving too many of our most vulnerable without a nutritious meal.
A new partnership between the USDA and the Department of Education seeks to transform these alarming rates of food insecurity for the better. Last week I had the pleasure of convening with Dr. Jonathan Brice, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education in the Department of Education. This meeting was the first of the current administration, solidifying the strong partnership in summer meals and placing an emphasis on school participation.
Dr. Brice explained that “the Department of Education believes that summer meals are critical to the success of millions of children across the country.” As a former administrator and teacher in public schools throughout Delaware and Maryland, Brice conveyed the effectiveness of the summer meals program for summer school students, athletically involved youth, and kids of all backgrounds. He emphasized that the Department of Education viewed summer meals as “a critical opportunity for communities to come together and show children how much they matter.” I couldn’t agree more with his sentiments.
Our partnership is groundbreaking on many levels. To alleviate the burden of hunger in the summer, we need the support of principals, educators, food service professionals, and community members to promote a program that focuses on the nutritional wellbeing of kids in our communities. With program participation growing in schools nationwide, and now the official backing of the Department of Education, the future of increasing summer meals participants and decreasing food security in America looks more promising than ever.
Echoing the sentiments of Dr. Brice, our children need to be well-fed and provided with nutritious meals in order to become successful adults. The more we learn to cultivate unique and effective partnerships, the more effective we will be at ending child hunger in this country. Collaborating with the Department of Education is a step in the right direction to ensure more children have access to healthy foods when school is out.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Finding Success with Next Generation Farmers
USDA Blog Post:
Under Secretary Ed Avalos (left) listens to Carlos and Greg Chavez explain the ongoing effects of drought on farms in Texas. Greg, a next generation farmer, has worked to increase the sustainability and success of his family farm by implementing new technology and irrigation methods that decrease water consumption.
Not everyone goes to work every day knowing that they will be inspired by the people they meet—I’m very fortunate in that way. From the federal agencies that I oversee to the farmers and ranchers I visit with, I am truly inspired by their dedication to serving the American people and their commitment to the success of rural America. And many of the issues that they work on or face in their daily lives are the same issues that we are all concerned with—sustainability and conservation, short-term and long-term stability, and making sure our children and the next generation have paths to success.
During a recent visit to the Texas Panhandle, I stopped to have breakfast and visit with the father and son team who run the Chavez family farm. Carlos and Greg Chavez farm 3,600 acres of corn, wheat and cotton, and run 1,200 head of cattle on winter wheat. Greg, the son, has focused his attention on implementing new crop watering techniques, leveraging technology and conservation practices to combat the inherent dryness brought on by the strong Panhandle winds.
Working with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on this effort, Greg’s changes involve using a low nozzle-to-ground-height ratio to water his crops. By reducing the distance the water falls, less evaporation occurs. This means more water reaches the soil. In an area that had single-digit inches of rainfall in both 2011 and 2012, finding more efficient ways to get better results and better crops—while using less water—is vital to the long-term success of the family farm. As a next-generation farmer, Greg is constantly looking to new methods and new technology to boost the efficiency and sustainability of the farm.
Across USDA, our agencies and programs are also focused on projects that help support the next generation of rural Americans. Through the Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBG) program administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), we are helping encourage young and new farmers to apply technology and expand the variety of crops grown. One SCBG project in Nebraska offered students hands-on classes and workshops that focused on growing and selling fruits and vegetables instead of traditional cash crops. The coursework included business and marketing plans, and resulted in at least 50% of the students planning to pursue further education in agriculture.
Another project—this time in Pennsylvania—supports a partnership between the state Department of Agriculture and AgChoice Farm Credit to help increase the chances of long-term success for young (below age 35) and beginning farmers (those with less than 10 years of experience). Over the next couple of years, they will offer these next-generation farmers scholarships to participate in the AgBiz Masters course. The course is a two-year learning process designed to provide sound business concepts and financial management skills for agricultural businesses. By creating business-aware, fiscally-minded farmers and ranchers, Pennsylvania hopes to increase the number of new farms and cost-savings for existing farms.
These are just a few examples of how I am inspired by all of the hard-working people who are helping ensure the future of American agriculture. At USDA, we will continue to support next generation farmers like Greg Chavez as they look to make their farms and businesses more sustainable. And we will continue to work with states and communities across the country to support the next generation of American farmers and ranchers.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Grandparents Help Kids Develop Good Eating Habits
USDA Blog Post:
Grandchildren are a treasure.
Grandkids are a grandparent’s greatest treasure. From time to time during grandchildren’s young lives, grandparents may have the pleasure of being their caregiver. Show them how to be healthy, including how to make healthy food choices–an important way grandparents show how much they love and care about their grandchildren.
As a proud grandmother, I can attest that grandkids learn by example! They mimic everything you do, so be a healthy role model by taking care of yourself and they will learn to value healthy habits. Use ChooseMyPlate.gov to guide your food choices and better understand the nutrition needs of young children in your life. Take your grandchildren shopping at a farmer’s market and the grocery store. Talk about the choices you are making—choosing the juicier oranges or the fresher vegetables. Help them learn cooking skills, which will benefit them throughout their lives. Encourage them to be active throughout the day.
Take time to share and listen to your grandchild – the time you spend together offers wonderful opportunities to understand one another. Discuss likes and dislikes of different foods and talk about what they eat at school or at home. Involve grandkids in selecting and preparing foods for meals, and offer the same foods to everyone. Avoid making different dishes to please young, fussy eaters. Offer snack foods that help meet their daily food group needs such as applesauce, baby carrots, string cheese, or 100% whole grain crackers. Reward them with your attention. Hugs are much better than sweet treats.
Spend time walking in the neighborhood, planting a vegetable garden, or shooting a few hoops. Dance, run, and play hopscotch or soccer with them when they’re full of energy—it’s fun and healthy for both of you!
Show your grandchild games, activity sheets and other fun ways to learn about good nutrition at MyPlate Kids’ Place. For a bedtime story, read The Two Bite Club.
The US Department of Agriculture offers food assistance, nutrition education resources, and nutrition guidance for older adults and their grandkids. Use the following resources to learn more:
- Breastfeeding: The Magical Bond of Love – WIC information for grandparents
- Eat Smart, Live Strong: Nutrition Education for Older Adults – SNAP resource
- Eat Smart to Play Hard with MyPlate – Team Nutrition miniposter
- The Two Bite Club – Team Nutrition book for preschool children
- Recipes for Healthy Kids – Team Nutrition recipes for caregivers
- Grow It, Try It, Like It! – Team Nutrition gardening crafts and activities
- ChooseMyPlate.gov – MyPlate resources and online tools
- MyPlate Kids’ Place – MyPlate resources for kids 8-12 years old
Thursday, March 27, 2014
On the Path to New Dietary Guidance Recommendations
USDA Blog Post:
The process to review the science that will support the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is currently underway.
“Eat more fruits and vegetables.”
“Choose a variety of protein foods like lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans, peas and unsalted nuts and seeds.”
“Make at least half your grains whole grains.”
“Reduce Sodium intake to 2300 mg.”
These are just some of the nutrition recommendations that are the foundation of our current Federal nutrition guidance and policy. The process to review the science that supports these recommendations is currently underway.
Every five years, the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services are required* to jointly develop and publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which form the basis of Federal nutrition policy. The next edition is scheduled to be released in 2015. To ensure that the Dietary Guidelines are based on the most up-to-date scientific and medical knowledge, the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act) has been established to review the current policy and advise the government. This advice comes in the form of a Federal Advisory Committee Report, which includes evidenced-based recommendations and rationales. Officials within USDA and HHS utilize this report, along with comments from the public and other Federal Agencies to develop the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, policy document. In short, while the work of the DGAC is instrumental to the revision process, it is also solely advisory in nature.
The 2015 Committee includes 14 external expert advisors. These individuals are highly respected by their peers in the nutrition community for their scientific knowledge on how nutrition promotes health and reduces risk of disease, including overweight and obesity. Just like the American public, the membership of the 2015 DGAC is diverse, representing a range of expertise, ethnicities, ages, gender and regions of the country. This diversity is important, given that the work of this Advisory Committee impacts all Americans.
So far, the 2015 Committee has held three successful public meetings. During these meetings the DGAC provides updates on work that is being conducted by its various Subcommittees. From the meeting proceedings, it is clear that the 2015 DGAC is covering a wide array of topics, including current status and trends as it relates to the nutrient adequacy of the American diet, dietary patterns and health outcomes, the role of sedentary behavior on dietary intake and weight status, the role of the food environment on access to healthy and affordable food, and the effect of caffeine on various health outcomes, just to name a few.
Additional meetings will be held throughout 2014, and until its Advisory Committee Report is released later this year, we won’t know what the Committee’s final recommendations will be. While the DGAC is deliberating we encourage all Americans to get involved. You can provide your thoughts about nutrition and health in the form of public comments or watch the proceedings of the DGAC via webcast.
*The DGA is congressionally mandated under the 1990 National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act (Public Law 101-445, Section 301[7 U.S.C. 5341], Title III).
USDA, Partners Gearing Up for Summer Meal Service
USDA Blog Post:
Children enjoy lunch freshly prepared and served on-site at the Inter Metro Summer Recreation Program in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Last week, about 250 Ohio lawmakers, educators, nonprofit directors, community leaders and others came together at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank for the third annual statewide Summer Food Service Summit. The focus of this summit was USDA’s Summer Food Service Program, as efforts are ramping up to ensure that all eligible children have access to healthy meals this summer.
In Ohio, over 630,000 children receive free or reduced-price school meals (based on family income) through the National School Lunch Program during the school year. Yet, only about 60,000—less than one in ten–participate in the Summer Food Service Program. This means that well over half a million children across the state may be at risk of food insecurity or hunger during the summer months, when they no longer have access to meals at school.
The Summer Food Service Program is designed to close this nutrition gap by providing free, healthy meals to children from low-income households during the summer months. I am proud of the work going on in Ohio and the important commitments state partners have been making to ensure children in need can avoid hunger this summer.
The risk of food insecurity and hunger among children is not unique to Ohio. Of the 21 million children nationwide who receive free and reduced-priced meals during the school year, only 3.5 million participate in summer meal programs. That is why USDA is focusing priority attention on summer meals. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get our systems in place to reach more of these eligible children this summer. Consider this a call to action!
Last year, USDA and partner efforts led to a historic increase of 7 million more meals served throughout the summer. We are proud of this progress and hope to see an even bigger increase in 2014. The summer hunger gap is still far too wide.
The key to success this year will be expanding the number of sites open for summer meals. We must spread the word to schools, parks and recreation departments, libraries, and faith and other community organizations across the nation; their participation is critical for the continued success of SFSP. The deadlines to become Summer Food Service Program sponsors vary by State, and begin as early as April 15. Program sponsors oversee and provide meals to summer sites. In return, USDA, through the States, reimburses program sponsors for the meals served to children.
If you or your organization is interested in helping us reduce the risk of hunger among our nation’s youth, visit our website, www.summerfood.usda.gov. The summer meals outreach toolkit includes sample outreach plans, templates, customizable flyers, door hangers, letters to parents, examples of site activities, best practices, and more. State representatives are also available to answer questions and facilitate sponsor enrollment and site registration.
Join us now in working together to make sure that this year every child has access to safe and healthy meals during the summer months.
Good News about Early Childhood Obesity Rates
USDA Blog Post:
Recent studies indicate that obesity rates among young children are finally starting to decline.
USDA believes in giving children a foundation for life-long health through access to healthy food and quality nutrition education. So, that’s why we are encouraged by a couple of recent studies that indicate that the rates of obesity among young children are declining. One study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that rates of obesity among young children ages 2-5 years have declined in the last decade, while another found that obesity is declining in low-income preschoolers in 19 states. These results suggest that we are making progress in our efforts to improve the health of our next generation! These findings were noted by Dr. Bill Dietz, former Director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity during his presentation at the 3rd meeting of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on March 14, 2014.
Efforts to turn the tide of obesity, both within the Federal government and in communities across the country, are having an impact in the preschool population. The USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services programs are an important part of these efforts. Through the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, USDA is making critical changes to the foods available to children – even the picky eaters.
The WIC program provides low-income women and children access to healthy food through the WIC food package, along with information on healthy eating through educational programs and nutrition counseling. The Child and Adult Care Food Program serves 3.3 million U.S. children in child care by providing nutritious foods and encouraging physical activity, both of which contribute to their health and wellness.
USDA is also proud to partner with the First Lady and her Let’s Move initiative to ensure that our youngest children live and learn in environments where healthy habits are the norm instead of the exception. More than 10,000 child care centers across the country are benefiting from the Let’s Move Child Care program. USDA has been a major contributor to the Let’s Move Child Care Resource Center, providing easy-to-use resources and practical tips about healthy eating and physical activity to inspire parents and caregivers who are working with young children.
We still have more work to do – the childhood obesity epidemic remains a major concern. Even with the decline in rates, 1 out of 12 preschoolers in the U.S. are obese. And, obesity in these early years of life can set the stage for serious health problems in the future.
The strides that have been made toward reducing obesity and improving the health of America’s next generation, is something that all Americans should be proud of, and we at USDA look forward to continuing to serve as a leader in the fight to end hunger and obesity. Learn more about USDA’s efforts to improve child nutrition or visit ChooseMyPlate.gov.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Secretary's Column: Continuing the Fight Against Childhood Obesity
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USDA Blog Post:
Ensuring the health and well-being of our nation’s children is a top priority for President Obama, and for all of us at USDA. We have focused in recent years on expanding access, affordability and availability of healthy foods for families and children.
Recently, we learned of some promising new results in the fight against obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the rate of obesity among young, low-income children appears to be declining. In 19 states, the obesity rate among low-income preschoolers has dropped for the first time in decades – and in many other states the obesity rate has leveled off.
This is encouraging for us at USDA, because we have made special efforts to help low-income families expand their access to healthier foods. In particular, we’ve provided healthier choices through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – the WIC program – while helping parents learn more about healthy nutrition.
We have helped expand local markets around the country – with more than 8,100 farmers markets around the country today – and in the last two years we’ve doubled the number of these markets that accept SNAP and WIC benefits.
We’re also increasing access to fresh produce during the school day. USDA has provided grants to help schools in low-income areas provide fruits and vegetables to children – and USDA Farm to School programs in nearly every state are helping school districts buy locally-produced food for school meals.
Unfortunately, some of these efforts cannot continue unless Congress passes a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill this year.
We still face a challenge in the coming years, with one in eight preschoolers overweight or obese today. This has troubling implications for the health of our nation, our economy and our national security in years to come.
The fight against childhood obesity is winnable, but we can’t let up. We must continue efforts that have already helped millions of parents and children with better access to healthy foods. We can create a generational shift to improve childhood nutrition and together, we can build on the promising results we’ve seen so far.
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