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Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the award of a demonstration grant to Connecticut to test new ways to provide nutrition assistance and access to healthy foods to low-income children during the summer. The grant is part of the Obama Administration's efforts to use improved approaches to increase access to nutritious meals and snacks during gap periods. By working with state agencies, the pilot projects aim to reduce the level of food insecurity among children in the summer months.

Deputy Administrator Audrey Rowe today recognized Minshew Elementary School in McKinney, Texas for their excellence in school nutrition.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the award of demonstration grant to Michigan to test new ways to provide nutrition assistance and access to healthy foods to low-income children during the summer. The grant is part of the Obama Administration's efforts to use improved approaches to increase access to nutritious meals and snacks during gap periods. By working with state agencies, the pilot projects aim to reduce the level of food insecurity among children in the summer months.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the award of a demonstration grant to Oregon to test new ways to provide nutrition assistance and access to healthy foods to low-income children during the summer. The grant is part of the Obama Administration's efforts to use improved approaches to increase access to nutritious meals and snacks during gap periods. By working with state agencies, the pilot projects aim to reduce the level of food insecurity among children in the summer months.

Under Secretary Kevin Concannon  joined Sesame Workshop for their launch of a multimedia outreach initiative, "Food for Thought: Eating Well on a Budget," designed to help low-income families cope with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement regarding House passage of S. 3307 "The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act."

Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today visited the Fairmont Dual Immersion Academy to see firsthand the school's efforts to improve the quality of meals in the National School Lunch Program. The visit, conducted as Congress is considering legislation to pass the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, showcased the local school's efforts to improve meals.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today invited states to develop and test alternative methods of providing food for low-income children in urban and rural areas during the summer.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced Child Care Wellness Grants to 14 states for the improvement of health and wellness in child care settings. More than $7.7 million in funding will support state agencies in implementing initiatives through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Over half of the funds awarded will be distributed to local child care sponsoring organizations and institutions through state agencies.

FNCS Deputy Under Secretary Janey Thornton, today recognized 52 Alabama Public Schools receiving the HealthierUS School Challenge award at the Pelham Civic Center.

Audrey Rowe, Deputy Administrator, today presented Kelly-Miller Middle School with silver-level honors in USDA's HealthierUS School Challenge - the first silver award achieved by a school in the District of Columbia.

Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Janey Thornton today visited Geyser Road Elementary School to see firsthand its approach to creating healthy school meals and a healthy environment. During her visit, Thornton discussed the Obama administration's efforts to enhance school meals and the health of America's children.

A game that encourages kids to learn healthy eating habits and ski with their digital creature in the living room, another that challenges gamers to stack food without breaking a virtual scale, and an app that pairs physical activity with food choices – like 2600 sit-ups to offset an afternoon candy bar – are among those recognized today in the culmination of the $60,000 Apps for Healthy Kids challenge.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that Hampden County, Mass., will conduct the first-ever Healthy Incentives Pilot  – an incentives-based program to empower low-income Americans to eat more fruits and vegetables. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized $20 million to research whether incentives for participants in the SNAP will increase their purchase of healthful foods.

Secretary Vilsack today announced new resources designed to increase participation and expand access to SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will expand assistance to state agencies for schools operating USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in the 2011/2012 school year. The investment is part of the Obama administration's efforts to improve the health of our children by providing access to nutritious meals in schools and also serves as a valuable resource to schools that continue working to improve the health and nutrition of the foods they serve. The assistance will provide free fresh fruit and vegetables to children throughout the school day.

Secretary Tom Vilsack will highlight the Obama Administration's priorities for the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and to advocate for the rapid passage of a strong reauthorization bill to reduce hunger and improve the health and nutrition of our nation's children.

Today, Under Secretary Kevin Concannon marked the one year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, better known as the stimulus or recovery package. USDA received an additional $100 million to provide food to local food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens through The Emergency Food Assistance Program and an additional $50 million to ensure timely administration and distribution. The ARRA funding also provided an additional $100 million in grants to local school systems in an effort to enhance the nutritional quality of school meals.

Today, USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon marked the one year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) of 2009, also known as the stimulus or recovery package, by announcing that ARRA invested more than $8 billion in local economies to feed the hungry through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the Food Stamp Program with approximately $830 million more invested each month.  In addition, through the Emergency Food Assistance program, states received an additional $150 million to support local food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens.

At a special presentation, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History acquired Food Stamp Program coupons and other related materials from FNS, the cornerstone of U.S. food assistance programs designed to ensure that low income citizens can obtain a nutritious diet. In October 2008, Congress renamed the Food Stamp Program to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to emphasize the program's focus on nutrition.