Hillary Clinton: Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on National Hunger Awareness Day

June 5, 2007 -- Washington, DC – “Today, as we mark National Hunger Awareness Day, we must take notice and address of one of our nation’s most heart-breaking realities. The United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but we fail to adequately provide basic nutrition for millions of Americans.

A study released today by Dr. Larry Brown of the Harvard University School of Public Health, shows the staggering cost of food insecurity on our country and our state. In New York City alone, more than one million people live in households that can't afford enough food, leading not only to hunger but also to increased health care costs, lower productivity and other costs. According to the study, food insecurity leads to an estimated $5.37 billion a year in costs to New York.

These are staggering statistics that must not be ignored. T

his year the Senate will reauthorize the farm bill. The farm bill reauthorization provides an incredible opportunity to address hunger in our country and strengthen federal anti-hunger and nutrition initiatives, including the Food Stamp Program. The number of Americans receiving food stamps is rising and there are many more who need help. Increasing the availability of healthy and fresh foods in schools and underserved communities is also an important aspect of improving the overall health and food security in the United States.

That is why I have joined with Senator Sherrod Brown to introduce the Food Outreach and Opportunity Development (FOOD) for a Healthy America Act, to help deliver fresh food from farms to underserved communities and we are working to include this program in the farm bill.

Hunger is a sad reality for too many in our country and around the world. We must all do our part in the fight to raise awareness and end hunger.”

The farm bill reauthorization will be a high priority for Senator Clinton this Congress. In addition to helping to strengthen the Food Stamp Program and introducing the FOOD for a Healthy America Act, Senator Clinton has worked tirelessly on behalf of farmers and producers in New York and around the country.

She is fighting to include additional programs in the farm bill reauthorization including legislation that she sponsored titled the School Food Fresh Act, which aims to improve nutrition in schools. She is also a co-sponsor of the McGovern-Dole International Nutrition Program, the Hunger-Free Communities Act and the Summer Food Service Program.

Source: Senator Hillary Clinton

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