USDA Press Release

Highlights Important Role of Partnerships in Educating the Public About Healthy Lifestyles

WASHINGTON

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today outlined Bush Administration principles for the reauthorization of the child nutrition programs, including providing financial support to schools that promote good nutrition and partnerships at the federal, state and local levels. More specific details will be provided in the coming months as the Congress begins to examine more closely the reauthorization of these programs.

"The Administration is examining closely these critical nutrition programs and how we can work together to strengthen them through reauthorization," said Veneman. "We want to ensure all eligible children have access, that we support healthy school environments and provide incentives to schools that promote good nutrition, and ensure continued integrity of the programs."

The Secretary said that the reauthorization of child nutrition programs, such as the school breakfast and school lunch programs, the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program, and summer feeding programs provides the opportunity to address vital issues dealing with the nutritional health of children and adults. The Administration's guiding principles include:

Ensure all eligible children have access to program benefits. This includes streamlining the administration of programs to minimize burdens and increase meal reimbursements to provide support for quality program meals.

Support healthy school environments. This guiding principle includes providing financial incentives to schools that promote good nutrition, including serving meals that meet the dietary guidelines, offering healthy-choice alternatives and providing nutrition education.

Ensure program integrity. This includes a variety of efforts including addressing the issue of overcertification, increasing resources to evaluate the impact of program changes on children and schools and providing adequate program oversight. The government should ensure that results are being achieved. The commitment to ensuring program integrity is balanced with the commitment to access for eligible children and minimizing administrative burdens for those who operate the programs.

The Secretary also announced that the Administration is prepared to lead the effort to support healthy school environments by considering financial and other incentives to schools that support a healthy school environment. Schools will make the decisions, but if a school supports healthy alternatives for students, that choice could result in additional funds.

"We will provide more details regarding these principles over the next several months as we work with Congress to reauthorize child nutrition programs and with our partners at the state and local levels to strengthen consumer education about healthy lifestyles," Veneman said.

These announcement were made during the first National Nutrition Education Conference, "Nutrition Connections: People, Programs and Science." The three-day event is part of a Bush Administration effort, sponsored by USDA, to discuss and develop science-based, nutrition education initiatives aimed at promoting positive eating and health habits among those served by USDA's nutrition assistance programs.

Veneman said partnerships among national, state and local organizations are critical in addressing issues such as the epidemic of obesity and physical inactivity in this country. For example, the partnership formed by President Bush's Healthier US Initiative brings all resources - federal and local, public and private - to help improve personal fitness and health.

"Everyone has a role to play in making healthier lifestyle choices, from parents and educators to administrators, industry, nutritionists and health care providers," said Veneman. "The federal government cannot and should not fight this battle alone. Joining together as partners today can help yield positive results tomorrow."

The President's HealthierUS Initiative promotes physical activity, eating nutritious foods, regular preventative health screenings and the avoidance of risky behaviors, especially involving alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service administers the Food Stamp Program, Child Nutrition Programs (including the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs), and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These programs serve low-income, nutritionally at-risk Americans and are included in the HealthierUS Initiative.

The National Nutrition Education Conference will include over 160 presentations by America's leading nutrition authorities to address a multitude of nutrition-related health problems including obesity, overweight, and related public health concerns. An estimated 800 + conference participants will share successful ways of promoting positive eating behaviors. The conference is a venue to learn about emerging initiatives and resources that are being used to develop more comprehensive and cross-program nutrition education interventions targeting participants in nutrition assistance programs.

Information on USDA's food and nutrition programs can be found at http://www.usda.gov/. Information on the President's Healthier US Initiative can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/fitness/.

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623