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.
1. New FRAC report looks at breakfast participation in America's big cities
(frac.org, August 7, 2007)
In "Breakfast in America's Big Cities," the Food Research and Action Center surveyed 23 large school districts, which were selected on the basis of size and geographic representation. The survey found that school strategies that make breakfast part of the school day were the most effective ways to reach children. These strategies include universal breakfast, where all children can eat regardless of income, "grab and go" breakfast from carts in the hallway, and breakfast in the classroom.
View report.
Media coverage:
Read more coverage.
2. Researchers: Low-income families can't afford to follow USDA dietary guidelines
(New Hampshire Public Radio, August 6, 2007)
The 7-day sample meal plan menu that comes with the food guide pyramid is not feasible for many low-income families, according to Joanna Burke, a nutritionist and professor at the University of New Hampshire. "Our data shows that it costs close to $8 a day to eat according to this menu and yet the food stamp average allotment for an individual is about $2.75 a day to eat," said Burke. "So you could eat about two and a half days on this MyPyramid menu before you run out of food stamps if you followed the plan."
3. Less expensive foods, skipping meals may lead to paradox of hunger and obesity
(Sebastian Sun, August 3, 2007)
Researchers believe that less nutritious foods are often purchased by families trying to save money because these foods are often less expensive than foods with more nutritional value. This means that individuals may consume enough food to avoid feeling hungry, but they may be improperly nourished because they cannot afford to eat foods that are more nutritious. According to the researchers, this may contribute to obesity. Skipping meals may also lead to obesity. Recent studies at Cornell University and the University of California at Davis found that obesity among women in low-income households may be correlated to the women skipping meals so that their children have enough to eat.
4. School Nutrition Association surveys food service directors on school nutrition
(School Nutrition Association, August 7, 2007)
A recent survey of 1,200 food service directors from school districts in 49 states found that breakfast is served in 96 percent of districts, 47 percent of districts have afterschool meals programs, and summer meals programs are available in 43 percent of the schools. The survey, conducted by the School Nutrition Association, also found that a third of school districts increased the price of full-paid school lunches in the past school year. The average price for school lunches was $1.66 for elementary schools, $1.85 for middle schools and $1.90 for high schools. The most pressing issues facing school nutrition directors are funding, increasing cost of food and food preparation, and implementation of school wellness policies.
5. City and school leaders gather to confront childhood obesity
(National League of Cities, July 23, 2007)
Teams of city and school district leaders met in Washington, D.C. recently to discuss childhood obesity and the current state of wellness in America's cities. Dr. Michelle Kink from the Robert Wood Johnson Federation thinks that current trends will make today's youth the most vulnerable generation for illness due to childhood obesity. James Weill, president of FRAC, reviewed the relationship between childhood obesity and poverty and discussed opportunities for cities to develop effective policies to combat obesity in children. "Because of our discussions and exposure to research today, we are more comfortable in determining how best to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables in our community," said Altheria Maynard, a school nutrition director from Savannah, Ga.
6. Low-income parents with work barriers face difficulties
(The Urban Institute, July 26, 2007)
Low-income parents with employment barriers have difficulty accessing local services, according to a review by The Urban Institute. More than 1.3 million adult recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) face many issues including poor health, learning disabilities, lack of transportation or child care, and unstable housing, according to the report. Disparities in the way states screen applicants may mean that not all barriers are identified before a parent has to comply with welfare-eligibility requirements that have become stricter since the overhaul of the federal welfare program in 1996, said the report.
7. Job growth fails to meet expectations in July, says report
(Economic Policy Institute, , August 3, 2007)
About 92,000 jobs were created last month, according to a new report from the Bureau of Labor. Analysts expected 130,000 jobs to be created in July and believe that a decrease in government jobs contributed heavily to the missed projection. Government jobs were down 28,000, and the overall average monthly job growth in 2007 has fallen from 189,000 to 136,000. The overall unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent, which is up 0.1 percent. Among people seeking employment for at least 26 weeks, the unemployment rate rose from 16.2 percent to 18.4 percent.
8. Report: Food with McDonald’s logo tastes better to children
(HealthDay News, August 6, 2007)
Children prefer food that comes in a McDonald's wrapper — even if the food is exactly the same — according to a new study of 63 children between the ages of 3 and 5. Food used in the study consisted of chicken nuggets, hamburgers and french fries from McDonald's and carrots and milk from a grocery store. Each of these five foods was divided into two groups with one of each item wrapped in a wrapper or bag with the McDonald's logo. Another of each item was placed in a wrapper without the fast food restaurant's logo. After tasting the foods, a majority of the children said food with McDonald's branding tasted better, even though the foods were exactly the same. The study was led by Dr. Thomas Robinson, the director of the Center for Healthy Weight at Packard Children's Hospital and is published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
View report.
9. Report says more Iowa residents face hunger
(Radio Iowa, July 23, 2007)
More Iowa residents battle hunger, according to a new report by the Drake University Agricultural Law Center. The report found that 11 percent of the state's households faced low food security and 35 percent had very low food security.
10. Hunger a growing problem in Florida county
(The News-Press, August 4, 2007)
The number of families enrolled in the Food Stamp Program in Florida's Lee County rose 17 percent in June compared to last year and 3,000 people applied for food stamps in the county in July. This is in addition to the nearly 12,000 families who receive food stamps in the county. Israel Suarez, the director of a social service agency in Fort Myers, Fla., said the number of people requesting food assistance from his organization jumped nearly 82 percent through June compared to last year. Collapsing construction and real estate markets combined with a spike in grocery prices are impacting many families. "We've got more people out of work, and they’re running out of food," said Liz Eilf, director of a local community services program.
11. Arkansas lawmakers to participate in Food Stamp Challenge
(The Morning News, August 9, 2007)
During a three-day period this week, 22 legislators from Arkansas will participate in the Food Stamp Challenge. The Challenge involves purchasing meals on the average food stamp budget of $3 per day. "We're hoping that this activity helps state officials to understand the importance of the program so they can urge their federal counterparts to strengthen it," said Hope Coulter, executive director of the Arkansas Hunger Coalition. Rep. Kathy Webb (D-Ark.) thinks the Food Stamp Program could be improved. "Food stamps help, but the current allotment is far less than many people think and certainly not enough to sustain a person for very long," she said.
12. Kansas officials aim to increase enrollment in Food Stamp Program
(KTKA 49 ABC, August 2, 2007)
Kansas officials recently outlined a plan to determine why 100,000 residents who qualify for food stamps in the state don't participate in the Food Stamp Program. The initiative will focus on counties with food stamp participation rates of less than 70 percent. Funding comes from a bonus the state received last year from USDA for keeping its food stamp application error rate below the national average. "This grant will help enroll eligible consumers in the Food Stamp Program at a local level," said Don Jordan, secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Last month 182,946 Kansas residents received food stamps benefits out of 283,637 who are eligible, said state officials.
13. Michigan group plans week-long Food Stamp Challenge
(The Ann Arbor News, July 31, 2007)
During the week of September 4-10, the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice in Ann Arbor, Mich. is organizing the Michigan Food Stamp Challenge. Participants will eat meals on a $3 a day budget or the average amount a food stamp recipient receives. One in nine Michigan residents utilizes the Food Stamp Program, and about 80 percent of food stamps in the state are used in households with children.
14. Massachusetts lawmakers consider banning less nutritious foods, ads from schools
(The Boston Globe, August 8, 2007)
Massachusetts lawmakers, inspired by a new congressional report that sets standards for school nutrition, will begin debating whether to restrict schools from selling certain less nutritious foods. They are also proposing a ban on corporate advertisements in schools, including ads for less nutritious foods and soft drinks. The legislation would prohibit foods in schools with trans-fats and foods with more than 200 calories per portion. "We really need to make schools safe places to eat and good places where kids learn how to eat well," said Geoffrey Wilkinson, executive director of the Massachusetts Public Health Association.
15. Lack of grocery stores contributes to health problems in California county
(San Gabriel Valley Tribune, August 6, 2007)
Many communities in Los Angeles County in California have fewer grocery stores than nearby cities, and public health experts think the lack of grocery stores, combined with an overabundance of fast-food restaurants, contributes to a growing diabetes crisis in these communities. Often low-income families have limited access to grocery stores because they don't have cars needed to get to grocery stores in other areas, said Wanda Grant, director of food services for the El Monte, Calif. City School District. Economic experts and representatives from larger supermarket chains said that economic issues and a lack of space in the crowded county are obstacles preventing grocery stores from being present.
16. Meals assistance programs are integral for many Nevada students
(Nevada Appeal, August 7, 2007)
About 38 percent of Nevada students use the free and reduced-cost meals program, said Pat Cook, a consultant with the state's child nutrition and school health office. School officials believe the free and reduced-cost meals program is integral in helping keep students mentally and physically healthy. "Sometimes the meal [children] receive at school may be the only meal they get for the day," said Bonnie Eastwood, nutrition director for the Carson City, Nev. School District. "It happens that these kids don't eat when they get home, so you have to make sure they get a nutritious meal when they get here."
17. Summer meals program provides food for children in Michigan county
(The Muskegon Chronicle, August 6, 2007)
About 1,300 breakfasts and between 1,800 and 2,000 lunches are provided to children daily during the summer at 30 sites in Michigan's Muskegon County. Several site coordinators stressed the value of the free meals program but wished they could do more. Roosevelt Day, a site leader where about 20 children eat breakfast and 50 eat lunch, said he would like to be able to give children more meals because he "see[s] children here who I know for a fact are not eating at home."
18. Many Vermont children receive free summer meals
(Burlington Free Press, August 7, 2007)
Vermont is ranked ninth in the nation based on the number of children who participate in summer meals programs compared to the number of children eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches, according to FRAC. It is estimated that more than 5,000 children will eat free breakfasts, lunches or snacks at 101 locations in the state by the end of summer. "If [the summer food and recreation program] wasn't here, it would be a catastrophe," said Bob DiMasi, director of the Winooski, Vt. Recreation Department.
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