Foodlinks America - December 18, 2009
Foodlinks America - December 18, 2009
In this issue:
• Final Appropriations Measure to Follow Omnibus Spending Package
• SNAP Shots
• Proposed Legislation
• School Food News and Notes
• TEFAP Tidbits
• Resources
• Reports from the Field – Shelby, MS
• Small Bites
Foodlinks America is published 24 times a year by California Emergency Foodlink in Sacramento, CA and distributed by Weinberg & Vauthier Consulting, 122 South Main Street, No. 9, Burnet, TX 78611; Zy Weinberg and Barbara Vauthier, Editors; email: bvauthier@tefapalliance.org.
Foodlinks America is not copyrighted, so the information can be freely shared with colleagues and friends, though attribution for reprinted articles is appreciated. For archived issues of Foodlinks America, go to: www.tefapalliance.org. To request a free subscription to the newsletter, submit story ideas, or unsubscribe, contact Barbara Vauthier at: bvauthier@tefapalliance.org.
Taking A Break
In keeping with our publishing schedule of 24 issues per year, Foodlinks America will be taking a two-week break. Our next issue is scheduled for January 15, 2010. We wish all our readership a happy and healthy holiday season!
Final Appropriations Measure to Follow Omnibus Spending Package
Congress combined six spending bills into a $447 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act in mid-December, nearly bringing the fiscal year 2010 budgeting and allocation process to a close. A bill for defense spending is being held back to serve as a vehicle for President Obama’s proposed job creation program, as well as an increase in the nation’s debt limit, which will need to be adjusted to accommodate additional economic stimulus.
The consolidated legislative package contained final funding levels for the Elderly Nutrition Program at the Administration on Aging, as part of the appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program was given a modest increase of $22 million for congregate and home-delivered meals. Spending levels for all other federal nutrition programs were finalized in October 2009 in the budget for the Department of Agriculture.
The combined appropriations legislation passed the House by a 221 to 202 vote, with no Republican support and 28 Democrats opposing the measure. More solid partisan support was evident in the Senate, where the bill passed 57 to 35. Budget-conscious Democrats, however, endorsed only a short-term boost in the debt limit in order to keep a tighter rein on the fiscal situation. A planned February vote on extending the debt limit will likely be a topic in the President’s State of the Union address and the beginning of the fiscal year 2011 appropriations process.
In the meantime, the Obama Administration and Congress are considering last-minute add-ons to the $626 billion Pentagon spending bill. Food stamps gets mention, and the bill explicitly “includes language ensuring the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will have sufficient funding to meet the growing demand for nutrition assistance from modest-income families and provides $400 million in additional funding for state administrative expenses, to speed up processing of applications. SNAP participation increased 18 percent in the last year to over 37 million people,” according to the legislative summary. In addition, a provision on “assistance eligibility” maintains Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines at 2009 levels through February 28, 2010 in order to prevent a reduction in eligibility for certain means-tested programs, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and child nutrition.
Other outstanding issues still being considered for inclusion in the Defense bill, along with job-creation efforts, are an extension of unemployment benefits, small business loans, maintenance of COBRA health insurance coverage, and changes to Medicare. Funding for some of these actions may be available in leftover Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) money from the financial industry bailout earlier this year.
SNAP Shots
Caseload still climbing: Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, broke a record for the 10th consecutive month with a September 2009 tally of 37,175,938 individuals receiving benefits, an increase of more than 680,000 over August 2009 and more than double the 16.8 million people on food stamps in September 2000, when program participation was at its lowest point in the past decade. Today, one in eight Americans is getting more to eat because of food stamps.
Once again, all states reported increased caseload between September 2008 and September 2009, except Louisiana, which was shedding people who received temporary assistance in 2008 due to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. Nevada registered the biggest gain at 53.7 percent, followed by Utah, 46.5 percent; Washington, 44.7 percent: Idaho, 42.5 percent; and Florida, 42.1 percent. Thirteen other states endured increases of 30 percent or more.
On-line application systems surveyed: One reason for the growth in SNAP caseload has been increased access to the program through on-line applications. A recent survey of state SNAP applications by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that 23 states currently allow an applicant to fill out an application found on the state’s SNAP web site and transmit it electronically to the state agency to begin processing. Other information about state on-line functions, procedures, usage, and state agency contacts may be found at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/whats_new.htm and clicking on item number 10.
Taking time to eat well: New research finds that SNAP participants spend more time in the kitchen than both higher-income folks and other low-income people. “SNAP participants spent an average of 47 minutes per person per day cooking, serving, and cleaning up after meals – 57 percent more time than higher income individuals and 18 percent more than lower income nonparticipants,” USDA reported in December 2009. To learn more, go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December09/Findings/ShoppingFood.htm
Proposed Legislation
Among bills recently introduced in the 111th session of the U.S. Congress are the following:
House Resolution (H.R.) 4274: Introduced by Representatives Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), the Ensuring All Students Year-round (EASY) Access to Meals and Snacks Act would permit certain service institutions to provide year-round meal services for children.
H.R. 4310: Introduced by Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and four co-sponsors, this legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code to protect children’s health by denying any deduction for advertising and marketing directed at children to promote the consumption of food at fast food restaurants or of food of poor nutritional quality.
For bill summary and status information, along with the text of legislation, visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/ and enter the bill number.
School Food News and Notes
Geographic preference procedures updated: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a memorandum updating the definition of what is considered “unprocessed” for the purposes of applying optional geographic preference for procurement in child nutrition programs. The November 13, 2009 memo broadens the range of local products schools and day care centers can obtain for their meal programs and should help foster local food and farm-to-school efforts.
“Unprocessed agricultural products” includes items that “have been chopped, cut, sliced, diced, or shucked” for use in meal preparation. The revised guidance and procedures affect all child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Special Milk, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), and the Department of Defense Fresh Program.
For more information, go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/whatsnew.htm and click on “Geographic preference,” currently the fourth item listed.
New fruit and vegetable program funding round: A December 1, 2009 memo from USDA directs states to conduct outreach and select schools to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), which allows schools to serve free produce to children as snacks during the school day. FFVP eligibility selection criteria specify that a school must be elementary (beginning in school year 2010-2011), have a high percentage of free and reduced price students, must participate in the NSLP, and must complete an application. For further details, go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/whatsnew.htm and click on “FFVP,” currently the second item listed.
School breakfast growing, but too slowly: More than half a million more children used the school breakfast program in the 2008-2009 school year, pushing the national total to 8.8 million. However, “Participation is just not growing fast enough,” said Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) in Washington, D.C. upon releasing the organization‘s annual School Breakfast Scorecard on December 7, 2009. “Congress needs to take steps to make it easier for schools and children to reap the benefits of school breakfast,” he added.
Less than half (46.7 percent) of low-income school children who received a school lunch last year also got a breakfast, according to the Scorecard. In a separate analysis released at the same time, FRAC examined SBP participation in 25 large urban school districts. The survey found the highest utilization in Newark, NJ at 95.7 percent, and the lowest in Chicago at 30.9 percent. The efforts that were most successful were the universal free breakfast, serving breakfast in the classroom at the start of the school day rather than in the cafeteria, or offering bagged “grab and go” breakfasts from carts in the hallway. To view both FRAC reports, go to: http://www.frac.org/Press_Release/09release_schoolbreakfast_report.htm.
Cutting the fat: To help identify strategies to improve nutrition and lower the fat content of school meals, USDA has released a new study, “Meeting Total Fat Requirements for School Lunches: Influence of School Policies and Characteristics.” Currently, only one in five schools serves lunches with total fat from calories of 30 percent or less and American children consume approximately 720 to 950 empty, discretionary calories a day.
USDA describes the efforts being made to encourage school policies and practices linked to lower fat lunches. These include promotion of fresh fruits and vegetables or locally grown foods, offering low fat dairy products, eliminating vending machines in middle and high schools, and adopting a “nutrient content” or “enhanced food-based” meal planning method. For further details, proceed to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrievecontent/.c/6_2_1UH/.ce/7_2_5JM/.p/5_2_4TQ/.d/2/_th/J_2_9D/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?PC_7_2_5JM_contentid=2009%2F12%2F0593.xml&PC_7_2_5JM_parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&PC_7_2_5JM_navid=NEWS_RELEASE#7_2_5JM.
TEFAP Tidbits
Fiscal 2010 foods listed: In a December 14, 2009 notice in the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced foods to be donated to or purchased for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) during federal fiscal year 2010. A total of 77 listed items, ranging from garbanzo beans to frozen ham, may be purchased with the $248 million in entitlement funds allocated this year.
Last year, USDA provided approximately $139 million in surplus or bonus foods to TEFAP. In fiscal year 2010, USDA anticipates that quantities of tomato and mushroom soups, ultra high temperature fluid one percent milk, and instant milk will be available in bonus amounts. For additional information, see the Federal Register notice at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-29687.htm.
TEFAP stimulus funds have made a difference: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), commonly known as the economic stimulus bill, was enacted in February 2009 and provided TEFAP with an additional $100 million to purchase foods and $50 million to assist food banks with administrative costs. Calling the TEFAP ARRA funding a “success story,” USDA has publicly noted that people across the country who rely on local food banks to help feed their families are now finding more food on the shelves because of this funding stream.
“We have seen unheard of increases in the number of people coming to get food,” said Lindsay Johnson, director of a food bank program in Richmond, CA. “People coming to get food between April and June increased by 40 percent. Very fortunately, the food that USDA was able to provide to us also increased.” At a nearby food distribution center, needy families line up to get tickets for boxes of food. The line forms early and stays full. For many in this community, the TEFAP food is a vital safety net; about a third of the food goes to feed children. For more details, go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/PressReleases/2009/PR-0600.htm.
Commodities on parade: USDA has made significant efforts in recent years to insure that commodity foods – both purchased and donated – are not only nutritious, but economical. The Department provides over $1.2 billion annually to schools in entitlement and bonus commodities, accounting for approximately 15 to 20 percent of the foods needed to produce school meals. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this food system, USDA recently held a tasting for Members of Congress and their staffers.
USDA’s event highlighted the healthful food it offers to schools, more than 180 fresh and processed food items, up from 54 in 1981. The fat-free commodity potato wedges have 25 percent fewer calories and 92 percent less sodium than commercial French fries; green beans have 64 percent less sodium that commercial canned beans; there are high quality dried fruits, brown rice, and legumes available; and a new hamburger patty being tested is 95 percent lean.
“The nutritional value of these foods is going to be a little bit more expensive,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who predicted costs will rise as more students receive free or subsidized meals. “We’re making progress on the food safety side and on the nutrition side. But to take the next step, it’s going to take more resources.”
Resources
Greening the neighborhood: Successfully spearheading state-funded activities to initiate nearly five dozen grocery and supermarket development projects throughout Pennsylvania, The Food Trust, a Philadelphia-based non-profit, shares its expertise in an on-line toolkit titled “Greening Grocery Strategies for Sustainable Food Retailing.” Lessons learned in working with the state’s Fresh Food Financing Initiative also include a discussion of increasing access to fresh produce and the financial benefits of sustainable building practices. To access the toolkit, go to: www.greengrocery.org.
Growing groceries: A new publication from Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP), an Oakland, CA advocacy organization, also promotes retail food development. “Getting to Grocery: Tools for Attracting Healthy Food Retail to Underserved Neighborhoods” is designed to help advocates and public health agencies coordinate and leverage the tolls available through local government and other organizations to bring grocery stores into low-income communities,” PHLP notes. For more information, see: http://www.phlpnet.org/healthy-planning/products/getting-to-grocery.
Scouting out food security: A new book is out that gives ninth and tenth grade Girl Scouts opportunities to learn about food, food security, sustainable agriculture, hunger and poverty, and community leadership. “Sow What?” is available on the Girl Scout website for $7.00 and an Adult Volunteer companion guide for $15 may also be found at: http://www.girlscoutshop.com/GSUSAOnline/GSProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=SENIOR+%22SOW+WHAT%3f%22+JOURNEY+BOOK.
Schooled in sustainability: Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability is the title of a new book from the Berkeley, CA-based Center for Ecoliteracy that tracks the growth of efforts to integrate sustainability into American K-12 education and gives examples from public, independent, and charter schools across the country. To learn more, link to: http://www.ecoliteracy.org/publications/smart-by-nature-book.html.
Policy lessons reviewed: A new report from Food First and the Community Food Security Coalition – Food Policy Councils: Lessons Learned – highlights a useful tool that city, state and local governments can use to fight hunger, diet-related diseases and other symptoms of a failing food system. The information is based on an in-depth survey of 48 Food Policy Councils established in North America over the past 30 years. The full report is available free at: www.foodfirst.org.
Reports from the Field – Shelby, MS
For more than 30 years, World Hunger Year (WHY) in New York City has been working to ameliorate domestic and international hunger and poverty. A recent posting on the organization’s website, “On the Road with WHY: Mississippi, Part 2” by Director of Programs Alison Cohen details efforts to help farmers in the Delta region.
My boots are muddy, feet frozen, face wind-chapped, head churning with images and ideas – another satisfying day touring farms and meeting with community partners throughout the Delta in Mississippi. We’re down here this week to listen and learn in preparation for a February gathering of community-based organizations to find common ground in working towards a healthier Delta. (See Brooke Smith’s “On the Road” 12/11/09)
Our morning began in the public library of Shelby –a beautifully restored train depot in the center of town framed by several buildings partially collapsed and in serious disrepair. The freshly painted library – walls postered with images of the civil rights movement and the origins of the blues – stood out as a beacon of all that’s hopeful and rich in the history of this beleaguered state. And the contrast of the surrounding decay was a reminder of the need for continued resistance that many grassroots organizations must mount in the face of increasing disparity between the rich and the poor, the whites and the blacks, the served and the underserved. By all accounts, grassroots organizers should be tired in this state if not discouraged. And, yet, here we were sitting at a table in a sun-drenched meeting room with a group of folks who were launching new campaigns, writing grant proposals, organizing congregations, conducting research, growing crops, forging unlikely connections, and hatching new ideas to make a difference in the lives of the poor in Mississippi.
Dorothy Grady Scarborough, a farmer and the organizer for this food deserts work in the Delta, had assembled an impressive group of straight-talking activists all concerned about access to good food and its connections to public health. Dorothy brought together a lawyer working on legal barriers to establishing farmers markets, an organizer working with multiple congregations to deliver health services to rural areas, a family farmer growing diversified crops and livestock, an agricultural extension agent invested in helping small producers process their product and get it to market, and an alderwoman and environmental activist. All agreed there is a lot of food being produced in the Delta. It’s just not getting to the people who need it.
The oceans of soybeans, corn, and rice we cruised by en route to the innovative works of community-based organizations were in stark contrast to the small, diversified plots of sweet potatoes, kale, mustard greens, and turnips at the Alcorn State demonstration farm. Larry Russell, a soft-spoken extension agent catering to small farmers, works to find the best varieties for the highest yields to help family farmers produce enough for market. Larry spun us around the edge of the demonstration fields in his big truck, stopping to pick kale or wax proudly, if inaudibly, about his sweet potatoes.
Then we were off to a town called Marks to visit a state-of-the-art processing facility which is just getting off the ground. The facility – currently operated by Alcorn State under the watchful and capable management of Nicole, a soon-to-be PHD in Ag Econ – triple washes, chops and packages greens, readying them for market. Charles Houston, a charismatic farmer and retired vocational agriculture teacher, has big plans for the facility, for small farmers and for the transformation of the Mississippi Delta food system. He’s working with Alcorn State to transfer ownership and operation of the facility to the farmers who will use it to tap into new markets, including the public school system. He pointed out each feature of the various processing equipment – a bean sheller, a potato peeler (it dices, slices, makes french fries, potato wedges and krinkles!!), and he wouldn’t let us leave until we stepped into the flash freezer and remarked on its frigid temperature.
We ended our day at Dorothy’s farm located behind her house in the town of Shelby along a bayou. The Lake Street Farm Demonstration and Training Center is a remarkable example of the amount of good, fresh, healthy food that can be produced on little more than an acre of land. Dorothy and her crew have been mentored by Will and Erika Allen of Growing Power, Inc. And the influence – even at dusk on a chilly December night – is obvious. Vermi-composting is de rigeur and completely integrated with the rabbit warren. Chickens and ducks lay eggs; windrows are planted with greens, root crops, tomatoes. An old futon frame serves as a trellis for peas. Herbs are tucked away in every corner and fruit trees dot the landscape. Finally two small greenhouses fill out the space. Dorothy borders on evangelical when it comes to organic farming practices, permaculture design, season extension, and healthy eating. This farmer-cum-organizer has a vision for the future of agriculture in Mississippi and that vision, she says, is “greenhouses gone wild!”
Small Bites
The world’s biggest turkey: The U.S. is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turkey products, with Americans eating 13.6 pounds per person in 2007.
At home for the holidays: Forty years ago, half of all turkey was consumed during the holidays, now just 29 percent is.
At home other days, too: Fifty percent of U.S. consumers now eat turkey at least once a week.
A bad wrap: Nearly ten percent of a typical product’s price is spent on packaging.
Wasted wrap: Almost one-third of American’s waste comes from packaging.
A need to unpack: In 2007, Americans disposed of 78.5 million tons of packaging – 520 pounds per person.
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