Newsroom

Today, Secretary Vilsack announced the recipes chosen to advance in First Lady Michelle Obama's Recipes for Healthy Kids competition and encouraged the public to vote for their favorite recipe now through May 15, 2011. USDA and the First Lady launched the Recipes for Healthy Kids competition last September, challenging teams of school nutrition professionals, chefs, students, and community members to develop creative, nutritious, and kid-approved recipes that schools can easily incorporate into National School Lunch Program menus.

Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today joined Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Paul Davis, acting director of AmeriCorps VISTA, and Joel Berg, executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, to swear-in 46 members of the new National Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps, an AmeriCorps VISTA project. The new VISTA volunteers will work in both rural and urban areas in 18 states as part of a public-private partnership to increase access to the SNAP for Americans in need.

Deputy Under Secretary Janey Thornton today joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District and Chef Timothy Cipriano, Executive Director, New Haven Public School Food Services, and New England Patriots' Ron Brace to unveil a new salad bar at Mauro-Sheridan Science, Technology and Communications School as part of Let's Move! Salad Bars to Schools.

USDA today released the latest report that measures each state's success in reaching children and families eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. While the national SNAP participation rate was 66 percent, Reaching Those in Need: State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Rates in 2008, reports state rates varied from an estimated low of 46 percent to a high of 94 percent.

USDA today announced the nationwide expansion of at-risk afterschool meals to promote improvements in health and nutrition in Child Care settings.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $25 million in grants to help schools operating a National School Lunch Program replace outdated equipment with new, energy efficient, appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and other food service related equipment.