Subcommittee Reviews Impact of the Federal Food Stamp Program on Children's Health

The following press release was published by the House Committee on Agriculture on March 13, 2007. It is reproduced in full below.

Today, the House Agriculture CommitteeÆs Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing to review the impact of the federal Food Stamp program on ChildrenÆs Health. Congressman Joe Baca of California is chairman of the subcommittee.

"I am concerned about the obesity epidemic in America, especially among children. This is a serious health risk for them and their families and also will have a harmful impact on our communities and economy," Chairman Baca said. "As Chair of the nutrition subcommittee, I intend to focus attention on this problem and make sure our domestic food programs are providing the information and resources people need to make sound decisions about a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle."

"As the father of two young children, I know how hard nutritional education can be; however, given the obesity crisis our nation is currently facing, it is absolutely imperative we do what we can to help curb this epidemic. Providing increased fruit and vegetable options in the food assistance programs can help improve the quality of many AmericansÆ diets, which is why we must work to improve the nutrition aspect of the Food Stamp Program as we move forward in the 2007 Farm Bill process," said Ranking Member Jo Bonner.

Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website in 4-6 weeks.

Witness List

The Honorable Nancy Montanez-Johner, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.

Mr. James D. Weill, President, Food Research and Action Center, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Mariana Chilton, Ph.D, MPH, Principal Investigator, The Philadelphia GROW Project at St. ChristopherÆs Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ms. Janet Murguia, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza, Washington, D.C.

Ms. Rene Massey, Director, Baldwin County Department of Human Resources, Bay Minette, Alabama

Mr. Gary Brunk, Executive Director, Kansas Action for Children, Topeka, Kansas

Ms. Kim McCoy Wade, J.D., Executive Director, California Association of Food Banks, Sacramento, California

http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov

Source: House Committee on Agriculture