Nutrition

$2.8 million will help provide meals for 3,000 seniors

19, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey will receive nearly $2.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds that will help Senior Nutrition programs provide tens of thousands of meals to an additional 3,000 seniors around the state, Governor Corzine announced today.

“This funding could not come at a more critical time as our seniors face rising costs and struggle to afford the nutritious meals that will help to keep them active and healthy,” said Governor Corzine. “The Senior Nutrition Program is one of New Jersey’s most important and least expensive tools to avoid nursing home placement for this vulnerable population.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2009 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will award grants of up to $5 million to help make the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly the known as the Food Stamp Program – more accessible.

"President Obama has made ensuring people have access to nutritious foods a top priority for his administration and these grants will be especially helpful to those hardest hit by hard economic times," said Vilsack.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 14 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) applauded inclusion of key nutrition, renewable energy, and food security provisions in a farm bill poised for final passage by the Senate later this week. The measure also expands the Milk Income Loss Contract Program crucial to Vermont dairy farmers.

Sanders championed a fresh-produce snack program. He helped to secure expanded support for wood as an energy resource. A nutrition education program that links schools with community gardens also was included at his request in the final bill.    » read more »

Ruling Will Help Consumers Make Healthy Menu Choices

April 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal judge today ruled that certain fast-food and chain restaurants in New York City must comply with a requirement to disclose calorie information on their menus, rejecting arguments from the state restaurant association that the groundbreaking city ordinance was preempted by federal law.

Fast food: Photo by pengrin (CC)

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Holwell also rejected claims that the labeling ordinance violated the restaurants’ First Amendment rights.    » read more »

Judge: We need this legislation, and we need it now!

April 10, 2008 -- Rep. Art Staed and Sen. Staci Appel listen as Lt. Governor Patty Judge speaks at the Healthy Kids Press Conference on April 10, 2008. DES MOINES – Today, Lt. Governor Patty Judge called on the Iowa House of Representatives to move the Healthy Kids Act to the floor for a vote before the end of the legislative session.

Snack selections from a public school vending machine: Photo by Julian Bleeckr (CC)    » read more »

Department of Human Services and the Illinois Interagency Nutrition Council honor sixteen organizations statewide that promote nutrition and healthy living in their communities

March 19, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD - Stressing the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, fighting obesity and improving food security for Illinois families, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has declared March Nutrition Month in Illinois.

The Governor joins the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Illinois Interagency Nutrition Council (INC) to recognize community programs and partnerships that have demonstrated a commitment to their communities by implementing programs geared towards leading a nutritious and healthy lifestyle.    » read more »

Program to Phase in Fifteen Hundred Vendors Over Two Years into Neighborhoods with Low Consumption and Limited Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

December 18, 2007 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Speaker Christine C. Quinn today proposed legislation that would increase the number of food carts that sell fresh fruits and vegetables only. The carts will be located in neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs where access to fresh fruit and vegetables is limited.    » read more »

2007 Farm Bill Passes with Broad Support, Heads to Conference with House

December 14, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate today passed by an overwhelming majority the 2007 farm bill, The Food and Energy Security Act. The measure continues and improves farm income protection and makes historic investments for the future in energy, conservation, nutrition and rural development initiatives – all while staying within strict budget limits.    » read more »

Amendment to be offered to Senate farm bill has broad support

December 4, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. – Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that they plan to offer an amendment to the pending Senate farm bill to update decades-old nutrition standards in schools.    » read more »

04 December 2007 -- Experts say the death toll from diseases such as cancer and heart disease can be reduced by almost 14 million over the next decade by reducing the amount of salt intake and imposing greater controls on tobacco use.

In 2005, the World Health Organization set a goal of reducing the death toll from chronic illnesses by two percent each year for the next 10 years. Chronic diseases are non-communicable illnesses that include heart disease, cancer and diabetes.    » read more »

21 November 2007 - Exercise and a well-balanced diet far outweigh any health advantage from vitamin supplements. Writing in the November issue of the Harvard University Men's Health Watch, Harvard Professor Harvey Simon argues against taking pills or powders to promote better health. "There have been careful studies done of many of these supplements, particularly of the antioxidant vitamins and B vitamins which have shown no benefit."    » read more »

November 6, 2007 -- By Eat Right Montana:

Learning to respect American Indian traditions is a valuable way to improve health and prevent disease in modern times. Traditional approaches to food and physical activity involved children and adults eating and playing together in ways that taught important lessons and provided amusement at the same time. Tribal teachers emphasize that a whole way of living is the path to health and that the healthiest lifestyles combine traditional wisdom with today’s technology.    » read more »

Commends Efforts of Jacobs, Kuperus and Davy

October 16, 2007 -- TOMS RIVER - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that 97% of New Jersey schools are in compliance with New Jersey's Model School Nutrition Policy. The Governor made the announcement while joining Health Commissioner Fred Jacobs, Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus and Education Commissioner Lucille Davy in addressing 1300 students from Toms River public high schools on the issues of childhood obesity and second-hand smoke.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2007 — Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner today marked the opening of National School Lunch Week, highlighting local school wellness and school nutrition through the President's HealthierUS School Challenge. On Wednesday, October 17, Secretary Conner will travel to celebrate with students at Neabsco Elementary School Woodbridge, Virginia.    » read more »

New study contradicts theory that soft drinks alone influence children's weight

11-Sep-2007 -- Soft drink consumption has increased in both the USA and the UK over the years and this has often been blamed for a rise in childhood body mass index (BMI). However, many of the review methodologies investigating the alleged links have been flawed. A recent scientific analysis of a nationally representative sample of children’s diets and lifestyles found no link between the amount of soft drinks children consume and their body weight.    » read more »