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 22, June 6, 2006

1. Parents' Action Web Site Features FRAC's Parent Outreach Brochure
2. USDA Translates National School Lunch Application into 25 Languages
3. June 4-10 Is Summer Food Service Program Week
4. Former Senators Dole and McGovern Campaign for Free School Breakfast
5. Farm-to-School Programs Teach Students About Food, Nutrition in a Tasty Way
6. Senate Agriculture Chairman Chambliss Announces Farm Bill 2007 Regional Hearings
7. Undersecretary Bost Highlights Work With Nutrition Programs in Hearing for South African Ambassador Post
8. New Veterans Groups Urge Support for Returning Soldiers; Highlight Homelessness, Need for Assistance Among Vietnam Vets
9. Regulation of Food Industry Ruled Out By U.S. and E.U. Officials
10. New Zealand: Rising Living Expenses Show Up in Increased Need for Free School Lunches
11. North Carolina: Officials Promote Simplified Summer Food Service Program
12. Hurricane Wilma's Destruction Highlights Plight of Rural, Low-Income Food Shoppers
13. Wisconsin: Governor Jim Doyle Vetoes Bill Requiring Verification Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status for Public Assistance
14. North Carolina: Social Service Office Hours Extended By One Hour
15. Florida: Ocala Encourages Children to Participate in Summer Meal Programs
16. Pennsylvania: Receives USDA Grant to Expand Direct Certification for School Meal Programs
17. Wisconsin: Milwaukee School Board Passes Budget That Includes $1 Million for Universal School Breakfast
18. Oregon: Doubling of Food Stamp Participation Contributes to Decrease in Hunger
19. Vermont: Advocate Urges Parents to Utilize Child and Adult Care Food Program
20. Texas: Health and Welfare Agency Privatization Plagued With Problems
21. Pennsylvania: Salisbury School District Receives Fruit and Vegetable Grant
22. North Carolina: Legislature Approves Minimum Wage Increase to $6.15 Per Hour
23. Editorial: Policy Makers Must Do More to Combat Child Poverty

1. Parents' Action Web Site Features FRAC's Parent Outreach Brochure

(parentsaction.org, June 1, 2006)

Parents' Action for Children is featuring the Food Research and Action Center this week on their newly redesigned web site in the “Partner Spotlight” section. Scroll down and see "Partner Spotlight: The Food Research and Action Center encourages parents to get involved in the creation of school wellness policies." The link leads to FRAC's recently published Parent Outreach Brochure. The brochure encourages more parents to get involved in creating local wellness policies for their school district and was designed for parents who may be unaware of the opportunities that exist for them to get involved in this important process. Parents' Action (formerly the I Am Your Child Foundation) "provides America's moms and dads with a platform for making their voices heard" on access to health care, quality affordable child care, and other issues.

http://www.parentsaction.org/

2. USDA Translates National School Lunch Application into 25 Languages

The U. S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service has posted on their website translations of the 2006 National School Lunch prototype application in 24 additional languages, along with the Spanish translation that had already been available. The requirement that schools communicate with families about application, certification and verification in a language understandable to the family was reiterated by USDA in a memorandum on December 23, 2005 which can be accessed at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Policy-Memos/Reissued/2005-12-23-R.pdf. The translations can be found on the USDA web site at:

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FRP/frp.process.htm

3. June 4-10 Is Summer Food Service Program Week

("Conner Proclaims Summer Food Service Program Week," usda.gov, June 5, 2006)

U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner proclaimed June 4 to 10 as Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Week. Summer Food Service Week is intended to raise awareness of program benefits and to promote wider participation of communities, encourage sponsoring organizations to participate and, most importantly, to increase the numbers of children receiving nutritious meals. "The availability of nutritious meals is essential to help low-income children throughout the summer months when they are out of school," said Conner. "The Summer Food Service Program is a vital link between good nutrition and exercise for children during the summer." The SFSP ensures that as schools let out for the summer each year, children in low-income communities continue to receive nutritious meals. USDA officials will highlight the program's contribution during activities surrounding National Hunger Awareness Day on June 6.

http://tinyurl.com/k3yoe

4. Former Senators Dole and McGovern Campaign for Free School Breakfast

("Dole, McGovern Champion Free Breakfast," usatoday.com, May 31, 2006)

Former Senators Bob Dole (R) and George McGovern (D) are promoting the "got breakfast" campaign, raising awareness about the School Breakfast Program to school officials, lawmakers, anti-poverty advocates, and parents. The Senators say that, while 29 million children in U.S. schools participate in the free and reduced-price lunch programs, only 9 million children take advantage of free breakfast in schools. All 29 million would be eligible for free breakfast. $382 million in federal money approved by Congress last year for breakfast "went back to the Treasury because nobody claimed it," McGovern says. He adds that students will not "get a good education if a third of them are hungry all the time, or malnourished." Senators Dole and McGovern have a long history of working to relieve hunger in the U.S. and throughout the world. In the 1970s, when McGovern headed the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition, and Dole was a member, hearings in the committee led to the creation of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program and expansion of the School Lunch Program.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-05-30-free-breakfast_x.htm

5. Farm-to-School Programs Teach Students About Food, Nutrition in a Tasty Way

("Schools Go Local for Better Food," pbs.org/newshour, May 30, 2006)

Farm-to-school programs are cropping up around the country as local districts explore ways to combat obesity in children and educate students about nutrition in a compelling way. About 400 school districts in 23 states participate in farm-to-school programs, according to Marion Kalb, director of the National Farm to School Network. The most successful programs are found in Alabama, California, Florida and Georgia because of their agricultural history and growing seasons that coincide better with the school year. In urban areas, barriers such as transportation and distribution from more distant farmland limit success. The successful program in the Ventura, California Unified School District focuses on four points: offering locally grown food in the cafeteria, incorporating a different food item into the curriculum every month, creating gardens for students, and introducing students to farmers. Before Ventura County's program started, "kids didn't even know what a potato looked like," apart from processed french fries, said Sandy Van Houten, who oversees the school lunch program for the 18,000 students in the district.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june06/farms_5-30.html

6. Senate Agriculture Chairman Chambliss Announces Farm Bill 2007 Regional Hearings

("Ag Chairman Chambliss Begins Regional Farm Bill Hearings," theweekly.com, May 26, 2006)

Senate Agriculture Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), along with Ranking minority member Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), announced the first in a series of regional hearings for the next Farm Bill. The first hearing will take place in Albany, GA on Friday, June 23 at 9am on the campus of Albany State University. Additional hearings are planned for Missouri, on July 17, Pennsylvania, on July 21, as well as dates to be announced in Iowa and in two western region locations. "Senators of the Agriculture Committee are looking forward to hearing directly from producers...with specifics about what is working and what can work better in farm policy," said Senator Chambliss. "It's critical to hear from farm families and all rural Americans about what ought to be in the next farm bill," said Senator Harkin.

http://www.theweekly.com/news/2006/May/26/Chambliss_Farm_Bill.html

7. Undersecretary Bost Highlights Work With Nutrition Programs in Hearing for South African Ambassador Post

("Four Nominated Envoys to Africa Testify in Senate Hearings, South Africa, Benin, Kenya, Djibouti Slated to Receive New Ambassadors," allamericanpatriots.com, May 26, 2006)

In a Senate confirmation hearing, Eric Bost, Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who has been nominated as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, highlighted his work "dedicated to leading change to improve conditions for all individuals within society." Undersecretary Bost has been with FNS for the past five years. If confirmed, Bost said he will "press forward to expand our cooperation on prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS and continue to address the nutritional needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. "Sen. Mel Martinez, presiding at the hearing, said Bost "has a strong managerial background in the public sector and has been heavily engaged in nutrition and HIV/AIDS programs in Africa."

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-14928.html

8. New Veterans Groups Urge Support for Returning Soldiers; Highlight Homelessness, Need for Assistance Among Vietnam Vets

("New Veterans Fear Repeat of Vietnam," boston.com, May 30, 2006)

With public support for the war in Iraq declining, a repeat of the indifference experienced by returning Vietnam veterans in the 1970s seems possible. A recent documentary depicted 10 homeless Iraq veterans living on the streets in New York City, and complaints about delays in medical appointments are already common among the 18,000 soldiers who have been wounded in the war. New interest groups are cropping up to educate the public on the needs of veterans. One new organization, HOPE for New Veterans, estimates that one in four homeless people is a military veteran. HOPE's mission is to prevent homelessness among veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq by identifying at-risk veterans, providing rental subsidies, assisting with securing benefits such as food stamps and disability compensation, and helping with job searches.

http://tinyurl.com/h8jhy

9. Regulation of Food Industry Ruled Out By U.S. and E.U. Officials

("U.S. and E.U. Rule Out New Food Laws to Fight Obesity," news.yahoo.com, May 15, 2006)

With 300 million adults worldwide considered obese or overweight, governments are beginning to realize that "obesity is a time bomb which is a real threat to the people of the world," said European Union (E.U.) Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou in a recent news conference. But, Kyprianou, appearing in a news conference with Deputy U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar, told reporters that the E.U. and U.S. would not be imposing new, smoking ban-style regulations on the food industry to fight obesity. The U.S. and E.U. launched an "obesity platform," which calls on food companies, health experts, consumer groups and others to find ways to combat obesity. The initiative includes a voluntary ban on advertisements aimed at children by soft drink and beverage companies in both the U.S. and Europe. "Industry does not forget that authorities can still regulate and this is an excellent stimulus for us to do this properly," said a spokesman for the Confederation of Food and Drink Industries (CIAA), the food industry's umbrella group in Europe. In the 25-nation E.U., 14 million people are obese or overweight and almost 20 percent, or more than 3 million, of them are children.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060515/hl_nm/eu_obesity_dc_2

10. New Zealand: Rising Living Expenses Show Up in Increased Need for Free School Lunches

("New Zealand: Food Becoming a Luxury for Some School Children," bayofplentytimes.co.nz, May 29, 2006)

A growing number of children in the Western Bay section of New Zealand are showing up at school with little or nothing to eat for lunch during the school day. Last year, Tauranga's St. Vincent de Paul Society's Loaves and Fishes program, which just started in 2000, prepared almost 10,000 lunches for needy students. "Going without is definitely on the rise as the cost of petrol, food and the other cost of living price increases hit families' already stretched budgets," says Merivale Community Center manager Audrey Hughes. "Unfortunately for some who fail to manage it can mean the choice between breakfast and a decent meal at the end of the day or paying the power bill and sometimes that means no breakfast at all." Hughes says hunger is on the rise and food at times is becoming a luxury. School officials also acknowledge the effects that a lack of food has on students. Welcome Bay School principal Alison Tichbon points out that "it does affect the way the brain functions significantly. Food gives us energy and you're not going to learn without it." Research released last week by the Community Action Coalition found that children's eating habits have a direct result on school attendance and behavior.

http://tinyurl.com/jj62g

11. North Carolina: Officials Promote Simplified Summer Food Service Program

("Meal Program Continues This Summer," news-record.com, May 29, 2006)

North Carolina is one of the states participating in the Simplified Summer Food Service Program, a federal initiative that reduces paperwork and fully reimburses qualifying sponsor groups for the cost of meals. State health officials are encouraging more organizations to apply to sponsor feeding locations. Coordinator Cynthia Ervin said she hopes to add 15 sponsors and 50 sites to the list of North Carolina participants this year. In Greensboro, Monica Moore, program director, recalls that prior to the start of the program three years ago, half of the 125 to 200 children who attend YMCA during the summer were bringing unhealthy foods, like chips and soda, for lunch. Also, she says the meal program reduces pressure on parents, and eliminates jealousy among children. "If we are providing them free and reduced lunch during the school year...we're doing a disservice to them to not cover them with a similar program when school is out," program coordinator Cynthia Ervin said.

http://tinyurl.com/zy4y6

12. Hurricane Wilma's Destruction Highlights Plight of Rural, Low-Income Food Shoppers

("Pahoke Grocery a Hurricane Casualty," palmbeachpost.com, May 30, 2006)

Before Hurricane Wilma plowed through the small community of Pahoke, in the Florida Everglades, there were two grocery stores and more options for area residents. Since the Foodland grocery store was destroyed by the storm, only the Thriftway, a small convenience store-type grocery, remains. A recent check at the Thriftway found no eggs or apples, a few unripe tomatoes, a gallon of milk for $4.69, and pineapples for $5 each. A growing number of local customers use food stamps, according to store manager Waseem Kahook. While some residents drive to Belle Glade's Winn Dixie, which is 26 miles away, others have to use the bus, a trip that can take half a day, making it hard to transport perishable food. Most residents can't go to the Winn Dixie and must use the Thriftway. The town represents a paradox common to many low-income, rural areas: though Pahokee sits in the midst of lush farmland, most of the locally-grown produce is shipped out-of-state. The Thriftway must get its produce from Ocala and Miami, increasing prices and decreasing freshness. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that a lack of access to affordable and healthful food in poor communities can lead to health problems including obesity and diabetes. The United Way on the Community Food Alliance task force has asked for a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study what food is available at what costs in poor communities throughout the county. Tracey Lamport, of the task force, says "it's not just about people in the Glades, it's about every low-income area."

http://tinyurl.com/k827p

13. Wisconsin: Governor Jim Doyle Vetoes Bill Requiring Verification Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status for Public Assistance

("Wisconsin: Governor Vetoes 9 Bills, Signs 2," gazetteextra.com, May 27, 2006)

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle vetoed nine bills and signed two others on May 26th. Among the vetoed measures was Senate Bill 567, which would have required all applicants in the state for health insurance, food stamps and welfare to show proof of citizenship or legal immigration status. State workers would have had to certify the documents' authenticity or face fines.

http://www.gazetteextra.com/doyle_vetoesglance052706.asp

14. North Carolina: Social Service Office Hours Extended By One Hour

("Extended Social Services Hours Bring in More People," fayettevillenc.com, May 29, 2006)

Starting on April 1, 2006, the Cumberland County Department of Social Services extended its office hours by one hour, from a closing time of 5pm to 6pm, as part of a six-month pilot program. Ninety-three people have visited the office during the pilot program's extended hours, and most needed food stamps, Medicaid or appointments associated with TANF benefits. Officials extended the hours to accommodate clients' work schedules. "I think that's outside the box," said department board member George Hendricks. "I like it a whole lot."

http://www.fayettevillenc.com/article?id=234159

15. Florida: Ocala Encourages Children to Participate in Summer Meal Programs

("Summer Dining: Students Can Enjoy Meals at Schools," ocala.com, May 30, 2006)

In Marion County, many schools, along with some satellite locations are participating in the Summer Food Service Program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. School district officials encourage children to receive free breakfasts and lunches at these sites. "In school, many students eat a healthy meal every day. Now that school is out," said school district spokesperson Kevin Christian, "students tend to eat less healthy products." The program generally runs from May 30 to August 4th and officials expect to feed 4,500 children this summer. Students 18 and under generally can just show up at a location in their area and receive the free meals. Some locations require parents' income information.

http://tinyurl.com/ge7qv

16. Pennsylvania: Receives USDA Grant to Expand Direct Certification for School Meal Programs

("Pennsylvania Awarded Over $1 Million to Improve Access to School Meal Programs for Low-Income Students," biz.yahoo.com, May 31, 2006)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a grant to Pennsylvania worth more than $1 million, the largest among 10 such grants to states, to increase enrollment in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. The grant will enable the Department of Public Welfare, partnered with the state Department of Education, to expand the "direct certification" process through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) web site. This means that households will not have to submit separate applications for school meal programs when they apply for other forms of public assistance. The COMPASS web site streamlines the application process for various health and human service programs. "Schools have a responsibility to foster an environment that is dedicated to student achievement, but that environment suffers when students are too hungry to focus on their work," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle Richman. "Nutrition assistance initiatives such as this partnership provide a safety net that allows schools to provide nutritionally balanced meals to additional low-income, or at-risk, children."

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060531/clw511.html

17. Wisconsin: Milwaukee School Board Passes Budget That Includes $1 Million for Universal School Breakfast

("MPS Keeps Reins Tight, School Board Passes Budget Largely as Offered," jsonline.com, May 26, 2006)

The Milwaukee School Board voted 7 to 1 to pass the $1.1 billion budget for the 2006-07 school year presented by School Superintendent William Andrekopoulos. The budget included an initiative to provide free breakfast programs to all students in Milwaukee Public Schools, funded by $1 million from the system, in addition to federal aid. Another initiative called for using $3 million in federal funds to hire 20 nurses, 4 psychologists and 4 social workers to the system. Andrekopoulos said the impact of increasing poverty in Milwaukee is showing up in schools, and making sure students have decent nutrition and health care is important to academic accomplishment. In a strong showing of support for breakfasts for all students, nearly all the people who testified at the public hearings leading up the vote were affiliated with the Hunger Task Force and its advocacy group, Voices Against Hunger.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=427937

18. Oregon: Doubling of Food Stamp Participation Contributes to Decrease in Hunger

("New Analysis: Oregon Decline In Hunger Bucks National Trend," medfordnews.com, May 27, 2006)

A study by researchers at Oregon State University found that Oregon's hunger rate dropped significantly from 5.2 percent of the population during 1999-2001 (when Oregon's hunger rate ranked worst in the nation) to 3.7 percent during 2002-2004. Food insecurity also dropped, from 13.4 percent to 12.2 percent. During the same period, the national hunger rate increased from 3.1 to 3.6 percent, while food insecurity increased to 11.4 percent from 10.3 percent. Mark Edwards, associate professor of sociology at OSU who led the analysis, says "determining why Oregon's hunger rate decreased--at a time when the national rate was rising--is more difficult to nail down, but it appears to me that a doubling in the number of food stamps allocated is the most logical explanation." Food stamp participation increased from 109,000 persons in 1999 to nearly 218,000 persons by the end of 2004. The department has strengthened its outreach efforts and simplified its application process. The report also found that rural hunger rates dropped from 5.2 percent to 2.0 percent, while urban hunger rates dropped more slowly, from 5.2 percent to 4.3 percent, bucking a national trend--rural rates are usually higher than urban rates. The study also found, however, that Hispanics in Oregon are nearly four times more likely to be hungry than non-Hispanics, and three times more likely to be food insecure.

http://www.medfordnews.com/articles/index.cfm?artOID=330946&cp=10996

The report, "Changes in Hunger and Food Insecurity in Oregon," can be found at:

http://arec.oregonstate.edu/ruralstudies/
(click on Oregon Report under activities on the left-hand column)

19. Vermont: Advocate Urges Parents to Utilize Child and Adult Care Food Program

("What Every Parent Should Know," timesargus.com, May 19, 2006)

In this letter to the editor, Pat Siergiey of the Central Vermont Community Action Council writes about the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which feeds three million preschool-aged children nationally every day. She highlights some benefits of the federal program: it is a critical defense in nationwide efforts against childhood obesity, by virtue of its nutritious meal pattern, nutrition education and on-site monitoring; it has been shown to be a key indicator of quality family child care for children; it plays a vital role in creating and maintaining affordable quality child care; and it provides reimbursement for food and meal preparation costs, ongoing training in the nutritional needs of children and food safety, and on-site technical assistance in meeting program nutritional requirements.

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006605190336

20. Texas: Health and Welfare Agency Privatization Plagued With Problems

("Privatized Services Stumbling," dallasnews.com, May 28, 2006)

Texas' health and welfare agencies are undertaking the most sweeping and rapid privatization of social services in the country. Texas officials tried to convert the whole state system in 14 months. The new systems are plagued with problems. During a 7-day period in May, 42 percent of the nearly 60,000 people who called a children's health insurance call center in Midland hung up before they could reach an operator. The contractor, a group led by Accenture Ltd., said that an unexpected surge in calls was to blame for the delays. Also, Accenture has seen turnover soar among the $8-an-hour operators hired by a subcontractor. In Midland 15 operators quit in one week--a 10 percent workforce turnover. "Midland is a very competitive employment market right now," said Accenture spokesman Jim McAvoy. Average wait times at call centers for recipients of food stamps, TANF and Medicaid benefits were reported as more than 20 minutes in March. At state hospitals for the mentally impaired, head nurses must slog through new and burdensome payroll duties and complain they can't take care of patients. Although the privatization plans are promoted as ways to save the state money, Texas has had to spend money to determine eligibility and retain state employees to deal with delays in rolling out the system. Celia Hagert, an expert on food stamps who monitors the call-center push for the progressive Texas Center for Public Policy Priorities, said "we've deployed an untested, badly performing system that's causing people to lose benefits." Stacy Dean, of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, calls Texas' experiment a "radical transformation of service delivery...without testing the waters. It's that sort of Lone Star bravado - we can do it when nobody else can, and experience from other states isn't relevant."

http://tinyurl.com/lklo8

21. Pennsylvania: Salisbury School District Receives Fruit and Vegetable Grant

("An Apple a Day, School Receives Fresh Produce Grant")

The Salisbury School District is one of 25 school districts in Pennsylvania to receive U.S. Department of Agriculture funds to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students during the school day. At Salisbury-Elk Lick High School the grant means that the school will be able to offer every student fresh fruits and vegetables at a midmorning snack break, for free. According to Superintendent David Welling, the school will likely receive $80 per student. The school district is building on past healthful efforts: it received a grant to improve student fitness levels and nutrition knowledge, and another grant was awarded last year for fruit and vegetables to be served in elementary schools. Also, several years ago, the school board formed a School Health Council to examine the food and beverage products being sold in school.

http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles/2006/05/10/news/thursday/news03.txt

22. North Carolina: Legislature Approves Minimum Wage Increase to $6.15 Per Hour

("N.C. on Verge of Minimum Wage Hike," charlotte.com, May 26, 2006)

After nearly a decade of efforts, the North Carolina House and Senate each approved raising the state minimum wage by $1 to $6.15 per hour. The federal minimum wage is $5.15 per hour. Governor Mike Easely proposed a minimum wage increase in his budget proposal as well, so the raise is likely to become law. There were larger vote margins in the House and the Senate. North Carolina would join 18 other states that have already raised their minimum wage above the federal level. This year alone, Arkansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Rhode Island and West Virginia have approved increases, and more than 20 others are considering increases. "It's about lifting up North Carolina's working poor," said Rep. Alma Adams, D-Guilford, the bill's chief sponsor. "The minimum wage is a poverty wage." Officials estimate that 139,000 workers would be affected.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/14670865.htm

23. Editorial: Policy Makers Must Do More to Combat Child Poverty

("Editorial: Accountability for Poverty," jsonline.com, May 29, 2006)

This editorial highlights the gaps in academic achievement between low-income and high-income students, as shown through federally mandated state tests, and questions public fiscal policies that affect children of low-income working families. After declining in the 1990's, the number of children in low-income families has increased since 2000, evidence that President Bush's fiscal policies of tax cuts primarily aimed at wealthier people has not led to general prosperity--as promised. Instead, since 90 percent of children in low-income families have working parents, policy makers should combat child poverty with steps such as boosting the minimum wage, expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, and tax cuts targeted further down the wage scale. "All in all, educators have a solemn duty to teach poor kids. But other policy-makers must cease shirking their duty to act. They must do more than they have to thin the ranks of poverty."

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=428455

For the next week, Ben Winter (a former Digest editor), will be filling in while Olga Doty is on vacation.