The weekly Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) News Digest highlights what's new on hunger, nutrition and poverty issues at FRAC, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around the network of national, state and local anti-poverty and anti-hunger organizations, and in the media. The Digest will alert you to trends, reports, news items and resources and, when available, link you directly to them.

Issue 21, May 27, 2005

1. Healthy Eating Number One in Surgeon General's "Healthy Dozen" List for Toddlers
2. FRAC Posting on National Hunger Awareness Day, June 7, 2005
3. Rutgers University Pre-school Program Teaches Healthy-Eating Habits to Children
4. Poll: Working-Age Americans Neglect Breakfast
5. Column: On Recent Class Mobility in the U.S. Articles
6. Center for Housing Policy Study Finds Troubling Increase in Ratio of Housing Costs to Income Among Working Families
7. State Revenues Increase Dramatically
8. States Come Up for Air as Budget Constraints Lessen
9. Editorial: Support and Nurture Necessary for Healthy Brain Development in Children
10. Statistics Offer Resource to Understand Factors Associated with Obesity
11. Risk of Childhood Obesity Can Be Detected Early
12. Oregon: Working Families Face Hunger Rate Twice the National Average
13. Montana: Provision Barring Assistance to Those Convicted of Drug-Related Felonies Overridden
14. Editorial: Reexamination of Wisconsin's Welfare Policy Needed
15. California: Food Stamp Error Rate Cut in Half Since 2001
16. Wisconsin: Working Poor Struggle to Make Ends Meet, While Food Pantries Often Fill the Gap
17. California: Interviews with Poor Families in Humboldt County Tell Story of Struggle and Community
18. Washington: Seattle Residents Scavenge Sustenance from Dumpsters
19. Op-Ed: Connecticut Schools Should Provide Healthy Choices for Children, Not Junk
20. Kentucky: Blame for Poverty Should be Shifted; Full-Time Workers Face High Rate of Poverty
21. Oregon: School District Endeavors to Meet Congressional Requirements Regarding Childhood Obesity

1. Healthy Eating Number One in Surgeon General's "Healthy Dozen" List for Toddlers

("U.S. Surgeon General Issues Second "Healthy Dozen" List - Toddlers," Health and Human Services, May 20, 2005)

The U.S. Surgeon General, Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., has released a list of tips intended to keep toddlers healthy and safe. He has named this year "The Year of the Healthy Child," and this list is the second released so far to meet the goal of keeping children healthy and safe, in order that they might reach their highest potential when they grow up. The first instruction on the list of healthy tips for toddlers is that children should be educated about healthy eating, and encouraged to participate in making food choices. Toddlers should get three nutritious meals and two to three healthy snacks daily. Letting toddlers decide how much of certain nutritious foods they want to eat, as well as making sure that they do not consume drinks with high sugar content is essential. Additionally, parents and others can offer role models for toddlers by making healthy eating choices themselves.

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/pressreleases/sg05192005.html

2. FRAC Posting on National Hunger Awareness Day, June 7, 2005

("On Hunger Awareness Day, June 7, 2005, Protect America's Nutrition Safety Net," The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), May 24, 2005)

The nation's most important weapon against hunger-including childhood hunger-is the Food Stamp Program. Also critically important are the nation's child nutrition programs like school breakfast and lunch, summer and afterschool food, child care food, and WIC. On this Hunger Awareness Day, help protect the nation's nutrition programs. In particular, Congress is considering cutting funds for or weakening the structure of the Food Stamp Program. Send Congress a message: Don't Cut Funds for or Change the Structure of the Food Stamp Program.

http://www.frac.org/Press_Release/05.24.05.html

See this page for more information on Hunger Awareness Day:

http://www.hungerday.org

3. Rutgers University Pre-school Program Teaches Healthy Eating Habits to Children

("ABCs mean apples, broccoli and carrots: New Jersey preschool's curriculum focuses on nutrition," The Associated Press, May 18, 2005)

Children enrolled in the Nutritional Sciences Preschool at Rutgers University are learning healthy eating habits as part of their curriculum. With the participation of Rutgers nutrition and education students, the pre-school students receive 30 minutes of nutrition education each day. The program combines instruction on how to choose healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, with fun and simple ways to prepare foods with children's participation. Often nutrition is part of story time, puzzles, art projects, and playing "cook" or "restaurant." "We love broccoli," 3-year-old sisters proclaimed last week. The program has been successful in meeting its goals of changing children's eating habits. A study conducted by Rutgers in 2000 found that the curriculum helped children cut their intake of processed foods by half and reduced fast food consumption in comparison to a control group.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/05/18/healthy.preschool.ap/index.html

4. Poll: Working-Age Americans Neglect Breakfast

("Poll: What Americans Eat for Breakfast: Nearly Four in 10 Skip What Mom Said Was Most Important Meal of the Day," ABC News, May 17, 2005)

This ABC News Poll outlines the breakfast choices made by Americans daily. It shows a strong tendency among Americans to skip breakfast, or eat quickly - particularly if they are under 45 years of age. The poll found that only a little over half of those between the ages of 18 and 54 usually eat breakfast. The tendency to skip breakfast reduces with age; 83% of those aged 65 or older are likely to eat breakfast daily. Of those who work full time, 49% also are more likely to rush their breakfasts.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/PollVault/story?id=762685

5. Column: On Recent Class Mobility in the U.S. Articles

("A steeper ladder for the have-nots," The Boston Globe, May 18, 2005)

Globe columnist Derrick Z. Jackson points to recent Wall Street Journal and New York articles on declining class mobility in the U.S. Children growing up in Canada or Europe will have greater mobility as adults. Citing reports by United for a Fair Economy and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which note the sky-rocketing level of CEO pay and corporate profits in comparison to worker pay, Jackson cautions that the vilification of the poor is misplaced and the tendency to cut programs for poor and working people is misguided. If the minimum wage had kept pace with CEO pay increases, it would be $15.76/hour instead of $5.15. These inequities loom as a dangerous problem-"a perfect storm"--in an era of budget cuts and growing health care costs.

http://tinyurl.com/98uqv

See "As Rich-Poor Gap Widens in the U.S., Class Mobility Stalls," Wall Street Journal, May 13, 2005:

http://online.wsj.com/public/us (search using "class mobility"--subscription required)

"Class in America: Shadowy Lines That Still Divide," May 15, 2005:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/15/national/class/OVERVIEW-FINAL.html
(free registration required)

"Life at the Top in America Isn't Just Better, It's Longer," New York Times, May 16, 2005:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/16/national/class/HEALTH-FINAL.html
(free registration required)

6. Center for Housing Policy Study Finds Troubling Increase in Ratio of Housing Costs to Income Among Working Families

("Number Of America's Working Families Spending More Than Half Their Income On Housing Grows 76 Percent, New Study Finds: Compelling Data Also Reveals 6 Out of 10 Immigrant Working Families With Critical Housing Needs are Hispanic - One-Third are Hispanic Families From Mexico," Center for Housing Policy, April 29, 2005)

A study funded by Freddie Mac and conducted by the Center for Housing Policy, the research affiliate of the National Housing Conference, has found a disturbing increase in the number of working families which spend more than half their income on housing. Between 1997 and 2003 the number of such increased from 2.4 million to 4.2 million, or by 76 percent. These numbers not only reflect renters, but also homeowners. One of every eight-or 14.1 million families-paid more than half of their income for housing or lived in physically dilapidated conditions. Most are working families. Homeowners are more likely than renters to face such conditions.

http://tinyurl.com/75eeg

7. State Revenues Increase Dramatically

("States take in record $600B," USA Today, May 25, 2005)

The National Governors Association welcomed the highest increase in state revenue since 2000, which they hope marks the end of economic hard times for states, the likes of which had not been seen in 60 years. State revenue has increased dramatically, with tax collection up by 7.2% in 2004. Some states were surprised by the growth. States have already begun to make policy that takes these increases into account - giving raises to state employees and reducing expected increases in college tuition. Larger debates over possible tax cuts or major spending increases are being deferred to late 2005 or early 2006.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-05-25-state-revenue_x.htm

8. States Come Up for Air as Budget Constraints Lessen

("States find wiggle room in budgets," USA Today, May 25, 2005)

States are not faced with budgetary constraints quite as unyielding this year due to increased revenues. Though Medicaid costs continue to increase at a high rate, the changing budgetary situation does allow states to relax to contemplate spending on new programs, picking up where they left off in 2001. Seven of 15 states surveyed (with 46 percent of the U.S. population) said tax collections had grown more than 10 percent this year.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-05-25-state-budgets_x.htm

9. Editorial: Support and Nurture Necessary for Healthy Brain Development in Children

(Editorial: "Help for homeless kids," The Boston Globe, May 22, 2005)

Noting research conducted under the auspices of the national Scientific Council on the Developing Child, located at the Heller School at Brandeis, the editorial argues that providing healthy environments and emotional support for children is essential. According to Jack Shonkoff, the dean of the Heller School, children who do not have adequate adult support become susceptible to a type of "toxic stress" or chemical imbalance, which disrupts brain growth and development. Toxic stress is associated with chronic problems that mean children are constantly under a great deal of stress - such as in situations of abuse, poverty, or neglect. But this problem is not irreversible and supportive relationships and care can return brain development to normal. Head Start, food stamps program and other social welfare programs are cited as providing healthy environments and support for children.

http://tinyurl.com/bqkzd

10. Statistics Offer Resource to Understand Factors Associated with Obesity

("Statistical Sourcebook Provides Key Facts About Obesity," American Heart Association, May 2005)

The American Heart Association in cooperation with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has developed a useful resource to understand the topic of obesity, "A Nation at Risk: Obesity in the United States Statistical Sourcebook." The sourcebook not only contains data on possible causes of obesity, but also provides research and statistics on the relations between obesity and racial, ethnic, geographic and economic disparities, as well as inequalities in access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities.

http://tinyurl.com/c86wu

11. Risk of Childhood Obesity Can Be Detected Early

("What are warning signs for child obesity? Risks include high birth weight, heavy parents, too much TV," Reuters, May 19, 2005)

Research shows that some risks for childhood obesity can be pinned down to early development as well as certain lifestyle choices. University of Glasgow expert on childhood obesity, Dr. John Reilly, found that the propensity to obesity begins as early as in the womb, but is compounded by habits developed later such as watching TV and not getting enough sleep. That these habits are developed as early as the age of three is cause for emphasizing healthy lifestyle choices in young children.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7911340/

12. Oregon: Working Families Face Hunger Rate Twice the National Average

("Professor tracks poverty in state: Weber notes trends involving hunger among working poor," Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, May 21, 2005)

An interview with Oregon State University economics Professor Bruce Weber, co-director of the Rural Poverty Research Center, provides an understanding of the connections between cost of living and hunger in Oregon. Among families in poverty in Oregon, 62% had members who were employed year. With a hunger rate of 5.2%, Oregon ranks above the national rate of 3.1%. What is particularly alarming is that the hunger rate among those who work full-time, year-round is twice the national hunger rate. Professor Weber notes factors contributing to the high rate of hunger in Oregon, including, the cost of housing, unemployment, low wages, and a state tradition of self-reliance that keeps people from seeking help. Weber looked at whether church attendance has an effect on hunger and concluded it did not.

http://tinyurl.com/9ukef

13. Montana: Provision Barring Assistance to Those Convicted of Drug-Related Felonies Overridden

("Food stamp, cash assistance programs open to those convicted of drug crimes," Great Falls, MT, Tribune, May 14, 2005)

A bill "easily" passed the Montana legislature to end the ban on providing food stamps and cash assistance to those convicted of drug-related felonies. The bill will go into effect on July 1, and will allow benefits to be provided to those who have either completed their sentence, or are on probation, or parole and cooperating with its conditions and any required treatment plan. Federal law bars benefits to drug felons unless a state legislature acts to set the ban aside. The decision in Montana was seen as necessary in helping to support families and communities whose members have been convicted of drug-related felonies and to ease successful transitions back to communities.

http://tinyurl.com/8js3u

14. Editorial: Reexamination of Wisconsin's Welfare Policy Needed

(Editorial: "Welfare: Wisconsin's example," The Charleston (WV) Gazette, May 20, 2005)

This editorial questions the viability of using Wisconsin as a model for creating successful welfare policy in light of its poor performance in meeting its goals. The Wisconsin model has been influential in shaping other states' policies, including in West Virginia, but recent reports on numerous problems under the Wisconsin framework call for a reexamination. Successful completion of Wisconsin's program, in 80 percent of the cases, does not result in employment with wages high enough to lift the family out of poverty. 42 percent of mothers in the program are in temporary jobs. Wisconsin families also suffer from poor administration of programs, where less than half of program participants were screened for barriers to successful employment (e.g., domestic violence, chronic health problems) that would have entailed additional counseling. While private agencies received $150 million in profits for administering Wisconsin's program, poor families lost $30 million due to penalties for noncompliance.

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Editorials/2005051922

15. California: Food Stamp Error Rate Cut in Half Since 2001

("California Announces Major Boost in Food Stamp Accuracy Rate: State Error Rate at Historic Low," California Department of Social Services, May 18, 2005)

California, after taking numerous measures to reduce the food stamp error rate, has been successful in bringing the number down to half of the 2001 rate. Dennis Boyle, the director of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS says that the administration of Governor Schwarzenegger is "committed to providing a safety net to the neediest Californians." Changes included improved accounting procedures, changing from monthly to quarterly reporting and electronic benefits transfer (EBT).

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050518/sfw112.html?.v=6&printer=1

16. Wisconsin: Working Poor Struggle to Make Ends Meet, While Food Pantries Often Fill the Gap

("La Crosse poverty rate among highest in state," La Crosse, WI Tribune, May 22, 2005)

This article details the problems facing poor families in La Crosse, Wisconsin, which has one of the highest poverty rates in the state - where the state's poverty rate itself increased by nearly 2% between 1999 and 2003, bringing it to 10.3%. In La Crosse, 17.2% of the population lives in poverty. The Community Action Program director sees growing need at food pantries and transitional housing programs.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2005/05/22/news/00lead.txt

17. California: Interviews with Poor Families in Humboldt County Tell Story of Struggle and Community

("When ends don't meet. The lives of low-income children in Humboldt County," North Coast Journal (Arcata, CA), May 12, 2005)

This article provides a personal and in-depth look at the plight of poor families in Humboldt. Humboldt State University journalism students conducted interviews with a range of poor families, doctors, criminal justice workers, and social service workers. The cost of housing leaves thousands of families in Humboldt County struggling to get by. Many live in hotel rooms. Schools act as a safety net, where individual teachers try to make sure that children who may not have food waiting for them when they return home get extra during the day. Some children eat all their school meals and leftovers and still aren't maintaining healthy weights. Poor families pitch in to buy wholesale food together. Poverty often keeps children from attending school on a regular basis, says Pat Graves, a school psychologist for Eureka City Schools, where many poor children miss 25-35 days out of a 180-day school year. These problems are compounded by the aim at the federal level to cut nutrition programs, including food stamps, and at the state level, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2005-06 budget reductions in TANF benefits.

http://www.northcoastjournal.com/051205/cover0512.html

18. Washington: Seattle Residents Scavenge Sustenance from Dumpsters

("It's not a Dumpster -- it's a lifeline: Working poor survive on what Seattle tosses," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 12, 2005)

This article, part of a series entitled, "Hard work, hard times: The plight of Puget Sound's working poor," brings to light the modes of survival used by Seattle's poor. It focuses on one middle-aged Seattle man who, though he is sometimes employed full-time, relies on what is thrown out by others in order to make ends meet when he is out of work. Although some forays into dumpsters yield nothing more than salsa or juice -and once an American flag to his dismay--John Walker says he has been able to get almost all of his food in this way. Walker's turn to dumpster diving is representative of a larger trend in Seattle, although exact numbers of those who take part in this method of subsistence are difficult to come by. Once deposited in dumpsters, the trash becomes city property and 'stealing' it is illegal, making dumpster diving a risky endeavor for those who depend on it to get by.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/223950_dumpster12.html

19. Op-Ed: Connecticut Schools Should Provide Healthy Choices for Children, Not Junk

("Schools Enable Bad Choices," Hartford Courant, May 22, 2005)

Lucy Nolan, co-chairwoman of Connecticut Action for Healthy Kids, is involved in a campaign to ban soda sales, as well as provide healthy foods and physical activity in schools. This campaign is bolstered by the American Academy of Pediatrics support for banning the sale of soda in schools due to its negative health effects. A poll shows Connecticut residents strongly support a ban on the sale of soda and drinks with high sugar content. It is extremely difficult for parents to help their children make healthy choices regarding nutrition when schools offer no support. Nolan reiterates that much research has found no negative, and at times a positive impact on school revenues due to a transition to offering healthier snacks.

http://tinyurl.com/e473s

20. Kentucky: Blame for Poverty Should be Shifted: Full-Time Workers Face High Rate of Poverty

("New attacks on poverty," Louisville Courier-Journal, May 22, 2005)

Data from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics underscore the problem of low-wage employment. The sectors that employ the most workers in metropolitan Louisville pay wages that are too low to raise a family out of poverty. Bunton cites a report released by the Kentucky Youth Advocates, which found that single parent families with two young children must make at least $12-$15 per hour to get by in Louisville. The approximately 15,890 retail sales persons in Louisville earn a median hourly wage of $8.51; 13,840 cashiers have a $7.27/hour median; and 10,570 fast food/food preparation workers have a $6.84/hour median. The Louisville Metro Community Action Partnership (LMCAP) are moving to address it. LMCAP, a public non-profit agency formed by the federal government in 1964, provides nutrition assistance through the Youth Summer Lunch Program, while making its main emphasis employment and job training to help breadwinners move into better paying work.

http://tinyurl.com/9a3dl

21. Oregon: School District Endeavors to Meet Congressional Requirements Regarding Childhood Obesity

("Schools to have a wellness policy," The Register-Guard, OR, May 19, 2005)

The 2004 federal Child Nutrition WIC Reauthorization Act requires school districts that take part in the federal school lunch program to develop a wellness policy by the 2006-07 academic year. The Eugene School Superintendent is appointing a committee of 30 parents, board members, students, community members and administrators to draft the district policy. It will provide for programs such as nutritional education and physical activity. Eugene's school district has already begun developing its policy in concert with the local community.

http://www.registerguard.com/cgi-bin/printStory.py