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Today, FNS announced the winners of the first ever SFSP "Food, Fun and Sun!" story and photo contest to highlight how the program provides free, healthy meals to children in low-income areas during the summer. 

Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today commended select states and the District of Columbia for making program improvements to ensure Americans eligible for SNAP received benefits in a timely manner, in addition to improved program efficiency and integrity.

USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today highlighted the results of two Summer Food Service Program pilot programs in Arkansas and Mississippi that used incentives to increase participation among low-income children. The study found that the innovative pilot programs were associated with an increased average participation rate among kids in the Summer Food Service Programs by 35 percent in Arkansas and 19 percent in Mississippi.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced investments across the country to help children develop positive nutrition and physical activity habits that can lead to healthier lifestyles. The grants will provide nutrition education materials, resources for children and parents, and technical assistance and training for school food service providers and communities participating in the National School Lunch and Child and Adult Care Food Programs. 

USDA FNS Under Secretary announced the results of USDA's Household Food Security in the United States, 2010 report that found that the percentage of very low food security declined from 5.7 percent of households in 2009 to 5.4 percent in 2010. 

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced investments in the national school meal program that will protect taxpayer dollars while providing healthy school meals for low-income kids.  The Administrative Review and Training Grants help states improve their operational accuracy in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. The grants highlight the work of states in improving the integrity and efficiency of program administration and delivery.

Administrator Audrey Rowe today highlighted Obama administration efforts to improve school nutrition and foster healthy lifestyle choices by America’s school-age children during a visit to Sherwood Acres Elementary Magnet School in Albany, Ga.

Today, Under Secretary Kevin Concannon hosted a conference call to highlight the historic school nutrition reforms and improvements that students and families will see in the new school year.

 Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced new investments in New Hampshire and Idaho to help eliminate childhood hunger and improve nutrition and health for school-aged kids. The grants are awarded to the two state agencies to reduce paperwork and expedite certification of students for free meals in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs through a process called direct certification.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Administrator Audrey Rowe yesterday announced the winner of First Lady Michelle Obama's Recipes for Healthy Kids competition. The contest launched last year to challenge students, parents and other interested community members to create tasty and healthy new recipes for America's school cafeteria menus.

FNS today launched a photo contest to look for and promote best practices in the Summer Food Service Program. The competition is open to sponsors and sites participating in the SFSP, which provides free, healthy meals to children in low-income areas during the summer.

Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today highlighted the importance of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and announced the findings of USDA's first Farm to School report during the 2011 School Nutrition Association national convention.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and FNS will conduct a pilot for acquiring fresh fruits and vegetables to build on farm-to-school programs in Florida and Michigan. The pilot will use commercial distribution models already in place and allow schools to obtain locally grown produce.

USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Janey Thornton today highlighted the importance of USDA Foods and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act during the 2011 School Nutrition Association national convention. Thornton joined thousands of school nutrition professionals at the three-day event which offers an opportunity for a dialogue on the administration's efforts to ensure healthier meals in the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs.

USDA announced improvements included in the HHFKA that will enhance local wellness policies in schools in order to promote healthier lifestyles for children. 

FNS Administrator Audrey Rowe joined D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and Office of the State Superintendent of Education representatives at the 8th Annual "Free Summer Meals Kick off", a celebration of USDA's Summer Food Service Program in the District of Columbia. 

FNCS Deputy Under Secretary Janey Thornton addressed the need for more Summer Food Service Program sites across the country to feed low-income children when school is out while attending the 2011 Wyoming School Nutrition Association Conference .

The USDA today announced the publication of a proposed rule to strengthen SNAP program integrity by ending the practice called "water dumping." 

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA in cooperation with state partners has improved payment accuracy and program integrity in the nation's largest nutrition assistance program. Vilsack commended selected states for their excellence in administering SNAP in FY 2010.

Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the finalists in First Lady Michelle Obama's Recipes for Healthy Kids competition, a national contest to promote healthy eating among children.