Stimulus provisions possible first step towards ending child hunger

In a panel discussion today at the Center for American Progress, author Joel Berg (his book: "All You Can Eat? How Hungry is America in Good Times versus Recession") spoke on the issue of hunger and nutrition in America. He cited statistics: 36.2 million American families cannot afford food, and are forced to choose between food and rent or food and medicine. Food Research and Action Center President, Jim Weill, called this situation, in a nation as wealthy as the United States, "morally bankrupt."

Weill pointed out that during his campaign, President Obama released a paper dedicated to ending child hunger in the U.S. by 2015. "A paper is a position, not a prescription," he stated. "The stimulus is a step assuming it passes," he noted, while emphasizing that much work still needs to be done.

The panel agreed that a comprehensive child nutrition program needs to provide free breakfast to all students. "School breakfast is like a magic wand for schools and for kids," said Weill. It has been shown that providing breakfast results in students doing better on tests, visiting the nurse less, and many other benefits.

Berg concluded that the solution to hunger has three essential parts: nutrition education, availability of health food, and affordability. He stated confidence that if these issues are addressed properly, the problem can be resolved quickly.

Vilsack Sets Out Top Priorities for USDA

By Kayleigh Harvey - Talk Radio News Service

In a conference call today, Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack set out the key areas the American people can expect the USDA to focus on, under the new Obama administration.

The top priorities he identified included promoting a sustainable, safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply for all Americans and people around the world. He further stated that combating childhood obesity, enhanced healthy nutrition, and supporting research in the health care debate would be a key focus. Vilsack also announced that the USDA will work on achieving Obama's target to eliminate child hunger by 2015.

Vilsack identified that another key area the USDA will be working on under the new administration would be research development in additional bio-fuels. The USDA will support the survival of the bio-fuel industry whilst promoting policies that will speed up the development of second and third generation feedstocks for these bio-fuels and in turn increase the potential to secure America's energy security and independence. He will lead the USDA in it's efforts to adopt management practices that promote and provide clean air, clean water and wildlife habitat. The USDA aim to support the profitability of farmers and ranchers, developing markets that reward them for carbon sequestration and eliminating greenhouse gases.

Vilsack concluded by stating that: "We have some serious challenges and many opportunities to pursue here at the USDA. I am looking forward to working with the dedicated employees of the USDA and all the departments to fulfill President Obama's desire of effecting change, promoting a stronger, more vibrant and more economically viable royal America".

As economic crisis rises, so does global hunger

The economic crisis has led to 100 million more people starving worldwide according to David Beckman, President of the Bread for the World Institute. In addition to that, Joy Phumahi, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank said that 44 million more people are suffering from malnutrition as a result of the worldwide financial crisis.

At a presentation held by the Bread for the World Institute, Phumaphi said "all countries are in harm's way." In order to try and help global poverty and hunger, Phumaphi felt the U.S. must financially assist in improving health, agriculture, and infrastructure. She also stated that the U.S. must invest in better education abroad. Phumaphi noted that children leaving school as a result of the financial crisis "rarely return to the classroom." She did acknowledge that there had been positives in poverty globally, especially in Africa, but this crisis had left those improvements "at risk."

Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services, said that any foreign assistance should be done in the interest of the poor. He also claimed that foreign assistance has become too "fragmented," and collaboration should be a priority in improving foreign assistance. He also felt it is "critical" that civil society agencies be used to help assist government in providing relief to poverty-stricken communities globally.

In a report released by the Bread for the World Institute, the institute states U.S. foreign assistance reform should include specific goals of poverty reduction worldwide, partnerships with countries receiving assistance to meet long-term goals, and closer coordination with other international donors worldwide.

Children suffer the most in world food crisis

In a briefing today on the global food crisis, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), award winning actor Danny Glover and other experts discussed the increasingly negative impact of malnutrition on children.

According to the World Bank, and estimated 100 million people have been pushed into poverty in recent years, largely due to the rising food costs. Many families are substituting nutrient rich foods like meat with starchy, cheaper foods with little nutritional value. This under nutrition has large and lasting effects on children all over the world and needs to be brought to global attention, said Jackson Lee.

Glover, a member of the TransAfrica Forum, stressed the fact that malnutrition affects thousands of individuals in the global south as well has people in the United States. Congress should set the example and create a forum for discussion with the UN and get other international players involved to stop the hunger crisis around the world.

Over 850 million people in the world are chronically or acutely malnourished and over 300 million of those are children, according to the United Nations. The poor nutrition standards, expensive health care costs and the rising cost of food has made it impossible for many families to send their children to school and are barely making enough to feed them once a day. The members of the briefing today, stressed the need for the United States and others to get involved and help end the crisis by providing money and a comprehensive agricultural development all over the world.