FRAC News Digest - October 15, 2004

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.

Issue 38, October 15, 2004

Families Bearing More Economic Risk with Smaller Gains
Nutrition, Physical Activity Focus of USDA Program
Community Food and Nutrition Program Grants Announced
Poor Nutrition and Inactivity Affecting School Achievement and Costs
Interfaith Group Issues National Call for Focus on Poverty Issues
Americans Rally for Afterschool Programs October 14 - 7,200 Events Nationwide
Washington, DC: Living on the Edge of Hunger - Share Your Story
Kentucky: Poor Largely Invisible in Comfortable Community
Oregon: Low Wages, Costly Housing Add to Rising Hunger
New York: Staten Island Ranks Highest in Hunger Survey of New York City
Arkansas: Award Recognizes State's Efforts in Food Stamp Program
Vermont: National Award Recognizes Campaign to End Childhood Hunger
Pennsylvania: Schools Launch Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program

1. Families Bearing More Economic Risk with Smaller Gains

("If America Is Richer, Why Are Its Families So Much Less Secure?," Los Angeles Times, October 10, 2004)

In the past quarter century, families have had to bear a far greater share of economic risk as private sector and public protections --- stable jobs, employer-paid health coverage, guaranteed pensions, short unemployment spells, unemployment benefits, and job training programs --- have been scaled back or vanished altogether. "Working Americans are on a financial tightrope," said Yale University political scientist Jacob Hacker. Nowhere is the risk shift of the last quarter century more apparent than in the widening swings in working families' incomes. Researchers found the peak was in the mid-1990s, when income volatility was roughly five times greater than in the early 1970s. Since 2000, incomes have fallen about 1 percent a year, according to recently released census figures. "We haven't reduced economic risks" at all, said Harvard economist Martin L. Weitzman. "We've simply redistributed them from the economy as a whole to individual households."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-riskshift10oct10,1,3999173,print.story

The source of statistics and how they were analyzed:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-riskbox3oct10,1,3775830.story

2. Nutrition, Physical Activity Focus of USDA Program

("Secretary Veneman Announces the HealthierUS School Challenge - Kicks Off National School Lunch Week - Oct. 10-16," U.S. Department of Agriculture, October 7, 2004)

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman launched the HealthierUS School Challenge to help encourage schools and parents to continue promoting healthy lifestyles for children. The campaign is designed to build upon USDA's Team Nutrition program, which provides schools with nutrition education materials for children and families; technical assistance materials for school food service directors, managers and staff; and materials to build school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity. The HealthierUS School Challenge will recognize schools that achieve the goal of meeting voluntary nutrition and physical activity standards established by USDA.

http://tinyurl.com/4wvzd

3. Community Food and Nutrition Program Grants Announced

("CFNP Discretionary Grants Announced," CFNP Report, October 7, 2004)

Fiscal year 2004 awards for discretionary grants under the Community Food and Nutrition Program (CFNP) were recently announced by the Office of Community Services (OCS) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A total of 49 grants have been made to public and private non-profit organizations in 26 states to undertake CFNP projects in the coming year.

http://www.communitynutrition.org/oct.7.04.htm

4. Poor Nutrition and Inactivity Affecting School Achievement and Costs

("The Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools," Action for Healthy Kids, September 23, 2004)

A large rise in poor nutrition, inactivity and weight problems is adversely affecting academic achievement and possibly costing schools millions of dollars each year, according to "The Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools," released by Action for Healthy Kids. Among the findings is that well-nourished students who skip breakfast perform worse on tests and have poor concentration. Additionally, the report indicates that schools may be losing significant funding each year due to the problems associated with poor nutrition and physical inactivity. The report points to current best practices in schools, school districts, and states.

http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/AFHK/specialreports/index.htm

5. Interfaith Group Issues National Call for Focus on Poverty Issues

("Taking a step to call attention to poor," Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 7, 2004)

More than 200 religious people marched through St. Paul recently to a rally at the State Capitol as part of the People's Pilgrimage to Overcome Poverty, a national interfaith movement attempting to draw attention to poverty issues. The movement will tour 12 cities to raise awareness of poverty issues. "More than ever, we need the politicians to understand and the people to be aware of the issues facing the poor," said Griebenow, 83, a congregant at the Colonial Church of Edina. Iman Makram Nu'Man El-Amin was among the Minnesota speakers at the rally attended by about 400 people. A Muslim, he said that poverty is a moral issue that crosses religious boundaries. Parents shouldn't have to choose between food or medicine for their children, he said.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5019973.html

6. Americans Rally for Afterschool Programs October 14 - 7,200 Events Nationwide

("Lights On Afterschool!," Afterschool Alliance, October 14, 2004)

More than 7,200 events nationwide celebrated afterschool programs as part of Lights On Afterschool on October 14. This year marked the 5th anniversary of the national celebration. The events around the nation brought attention to the need for afterschool programs to keep children safe, help working families, and improve academic achievement.

http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa_2004/index.cfm

7. Washington, DC: Living on the Edge of Hunger - Share Your Story

(D.C. Hunger Solutions)

Personal stories are a compelling way to present the complex issues of hunger and food insecurity. Reporters and policy makers use the stories to give the issue a human face. The D.C. Hunger Solutions website offers visitors a way to enter their personal experiences into a story databank to share with reporters and policy makers. Do you, your organization, or someone you know have a story to share? As a recent U.S. Census report shows, poverty in the U.S. is rising, so sharing your story is particularly important now. Your story can make a difference by bringing the problem of hunger to the public's attention.

To share your story:
http://dchunger.org/Story.html

8. Kentucky: Poor Largely Invisible in Comfortable Community

"The Invisible Poor: Clark County's prosperity camouflages area's poverty," Winchester Sun, October 4, 2004)

"The Invisible Poor" is an eight-part series on poverty in the relatively comfortable community of Clark County, Kentucky. Clark County's prosperity makes the community's poverty invisible to most people. An estimated 3,500 people in Clark County are poor. Almost two thousand households receive food stamps. The ones who are poorest "don't get the food stamps. They don't get the welfare check...because they don't know how to do it," said Winchester businessman Billy Edwards. The poor remain invisible, "a group of have-nots living silently in a moneyed world."

http://winchestersun.com/articles/2004/10/05/local_news/newspoverty1.txt

"The Invisible Poor: Resources available to feed hungry, but programs sometimes not utilized," Winchester Sun, October 4, 2004

Even with one of the state's lowest poverty rates at 10.6 percent, Clark County residents still struggle to put food on the table. Rhonda Rose receives $334 per month in food stamps, often not enough to make it through the month. "It's really, really tight. I try to stretch it as far as I can get it," she said. "But at the end of the month, it's very hard." For people who deliver the summer lunch program, there are certain areas where their vehicle will "be swamped with children coming out to get food," said Judy Crowe, who heads Clark County Community Services.

http://winchestersun.com/articles/2004/10/05/local_news/newspoverty4.txt

"The Invisible Poor: Children largest group of poor in Clark County," Winchester Sun, October 4, 2004

For many children, the food they eat at their school will be the only hot meal they will eat each day, according to Fannie Bush Principal Lee Cruse. "I've seen kids, in sub-zero weather, come in here with a T-shirt on, no socks on, only a pair of shoes," said Cruse. "I see kids who appreciate anything that you do for them."

http://winchestersun.com/articles/2004/10/05/local_news/newspoverty5.txt

9. Oregon: Low Wages, Costly Housing Add to Rising Hunger

("Hunger on rampage," OregonLive.com, October 12, 2004)

Oregon's rate of hunger and food insecurity consistently ranks as one of the highest in the nation, and the demand for emergency food is getting worse. The Oregon Food Bank reported an 11 percent increase in the number of emergency food boxes it distributed compared to the previous year. The report, "2004 Hunger Factors Assessment," said Oregon could ease its hunger needs with better-paying jobs, a more generous federal food stamp program and more affordable housing and child care. The survey found that of the 3,761 households that sought food boxes, 45 percent had adults without health insurance, compared with 37 percent two years ago, and 43 percent had one or more members working. Government budget cuts also have reduced safety net services that used to help people get through rough patches in their lives, said Patti Whitney-Wise, executive director of the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/109758270517340.xml

10. New York: Staten Island Ranks Highest in Hunger Survey of New York City

("Sea of hungry on S.I.," New York Daily News, October 10, 2004)

"Staten Island is not a borough you traditionally associate with hunger," said Aine Duggan of the Food Bank for New York City. However, the Food Bank's study "Hunger Safety Net 2004," ranked Staten Island as the borough with the highest percentage of residents at risk of going hungry. Of at least 56,484 Staten Islanders in this category, more than half (52 percent) receive no help from soup kitchens, food pantries, food stamps or other government programs. "We have hidden pockets of hunger all over Staten Island," said Wendy DeShong-Neuhalfen, with the food bank.

http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/240360p-206176c.html

"Hunger Safety Net 2004 Fact Sheet"
http://tinyurl.com/6enqt

11. Arkansas: Award Recognizes State's Efforts in Food Stamp Program

("Program's goal: access to good nutrition," Benton County Daily Record, October 9, 2004)

Food stamps helped Geri Lovelace provide her two daughters and herself with food. Lovelace is now getting her journalism degree at the University of Arkansas. Food stamps have "helped me — and hundreds of others — and given us a chance to better ourselves," Lovelace said. Arkansas' Department of Human Services recently received a $1.2 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for accuracy in managing the Arkansas Food Stamp Program. Roberto Salazar, administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, said ,"It’s not just about feeding people but making sure people have access to good nutrition."

http://nwanews.com/story.php?paper=bcdr&section=News&storyid=12888

12. Vermont: National Award Recognizes Campaign to End Childhood Hunger

("Ford Foundation Announces Winner of 2004 Leadership for a Changing World Awards," Leadership for a Changing World, October 11, 2004)

The Ford Foundation recently announced the 2004 winners of the Leadership for a Changing World awards. Robert Dostis and Joanne Keidkamp of the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, based in Burlington, Vermont, were among the 18 award recipients. The award recognizes individuals and leadership teams that target some of the nation’s most entrenched social, economic and environmental challenges. "The LCW program not only recognizes [the awardees'] accomplishments but also seeks to explore what constitutes effective leadership today and to share those insights more broadly," said Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation. The recipients were chosen by a national selection committee from a pool of nearly 1000 nominations. For a full list of recipients, visit the link below.

http://leadershipforchange.org/program/press/101104.php3

13. Pennsylvania: Schools Launch Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program

("School program touts benefits of eating fruits and vegetables," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 1, 2004)

Twenty-five schools statewide recently began receiving free servings of dried fruits and fresh fruits and vegetables for all students each school day as part of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Pennsylvania's state Department of Education received $1 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the program. Pennsylvania is one of eight states and three American Indian reservations chosen to participate. USDA undersecretary Eric Bost recently visited Fort Pitt Elementary School to kick off the program. "We're trying to see if kids are more attentive in the classroom and have higher achievement," said Danny Seymour, director of food service for the Pittsburgh school district.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04275/388540.stm

For a list of states in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program:
http://www.frac.org/pdf/CNR2004pilots.pdf