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  Secretary Discusses Importance of Addressing Child Hunger, Health and Nutrition 
  Vilsack Nov. 17, 2009 — Secretary Tom Vilsack today testified in front of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Environment on the opportunities to combat child hunger and improve the health and nutrition of children across the country during the upcoming reauthorization of USDA's Child Nutrition Programs.
 
 
  USDA Report Reveals Highest Rate of Food Insecurity Since Report Was Initiated in 1995
  Nov. 16, 2009 — USDA's Economic Research Service's (ERS) today released its annual report on Household Food Security in the U.S., which revealed that in 2008, 17 million households, or 14.6 percent, were food insecure and families had difficulty putting enough food on the table at times during the year. This is an increase from 13 million households, or 11.1 percent, in 2007. The 2008 figures represent the highest level observed since nationally representative food security surveys were initiated in 1995.

  -- ERS Report:  Household Food Security in the US, 2008
  -- Leading the Fight Against Hunger
 

 
  Obama Administration Expands Efforts To Improve School Meals and Children's Health
  Oct. 21, 2009 — First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Obama Administration is expanding the HealthierUS School Challenge. Originally established to recognize elementary schools that are creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, the Challenge will now be expanded to include middle and high schools.
 

USDA Awards Contract To Conduct 5-Year Study on Food Choices and Expenditures by U.S. Households

Oct. 15, 2009 — Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of Princeton-based Mathematica Policy Research to conduct a major survey on food choices and expenditures by U.S. households – the National Household Food Purchase and Acquisition Study (NHFPAS).
 
Secretary Vilsack Launches National School Lunch Week
 

School lunch photo

Oct. 12, 2009 — Secretary Tom Vilsack today launched the start of National School Lunch Week by highlighting efforts to improve school nutrition, combat childhood obesity, and encourage healthy lifestyles through USDA's Healthier US School Challenge.

   -- Presidential Proclamation
   -- USDA Blog on NSLW
   -- USDA NSLW photos on Flickr
 

Recent News Releases

Recent Reports

 

USDA Report Highlights Positive Effects of Direct Certification on School Meal Access

  School girl with lunch tray.

Nov 3, 2009 — FNS today published "Direct Certification of the National School Lunch Program: State Implementation Progress," showing that the share of local educational agencies conducting direct certification grew to 78 percent, which represents 96 percent of all students, from a rate of 67 percent reported last year.

-- Press Release
-- Report Summary
 

 

USDA-Commissioned Report Highlights Ways to Improve National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs

 

IOM Report graphic

Oct. 20, 2009 — The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies today released the report of its expert panel, commissioned by USDA, to develop recommendations on improvements to the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to align them with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The panel made eight recommendations addressing new nutrient targets and meal requirements for the implementation and monitoring of the new requirements, and evaluation and research activities to guide future program improvement.

   -- IOM Report: School Meals: Building Blocks
                         for Healthy Children

 

 

Last Modified: 11/17/2009
 

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