FRAC News Digest - December 3, 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 45, December 3, 2004

Nebraska Governor Named New USDA Secretary
U.S. Senators' Hunger Caucus Unites Lawmakers
Sen. Harkin Obtains Study of Nutrition Standards for Foods in School
1 in 3 U.S. Children at Risk for Diabetes
Food Stamp Expansion Aims for Newest Americans
California: State Food Stamp Program Makes Strides
Virginia: Governor Promotes Healthier Lifestyle Plan at Summit
California: School Breakfast Aids Children's Learning
Massachusetts: Three Meals a Day a Luxury
Kentucky: Some Kentuckians' Paychecks not Enough for Basics
Kansas: Food Stamp Benefits Going Unclaimed
Indiana: Mayor Tries Eating on $250 a Month Food Stamp Budget
Illinois: U.S.' Smallest State Workforce Per Capita Means Understaffing
California: New CalWorks Rules Require More Working Hours
Colorado: Feds, State Meet to Correct Welfare Backlog
Wyoming: Poor Women too "Rich" for the State
Alabama: More Children than Ever Eating School Breakfast

1. Nebraska Governor Named New USDA Secretary

("Nebraska governor to head USDA," CBS Market Watch, December 2, 2004)

Bush announced the nomination of two-term Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns to replace outgoing Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, who announced her resignation last month. Johanns said he devoted a substantial amount of his time as governor to rural development and agricultural issues. The Agriculture Department, with 113,000 employees, is one of the largest federal agencies, regulating the U.S. agricultural industry and administering numerous farm programs, as well as overseeing the nation's nutrition and food safety programs, the national forest system, and the country's largest conservation agency. Johanns' nomination awaits Senate approval.

http://tinyurl.com/5c3w2

2. U.S. Senators' Hunger Caucus Unites Lawmakers

("Senators Form Hunger Caucus to Draw Attention to Issue," Washington Post, November 25, 2004)

The issue of hunger has united U.S. Senators to form the Senate Hunger Caucus. Since its founding in June, one-third of the entire chamber has joined. The group aims to focus the Senate's and the public's attention on food insecurity, the uncertainty of getting enough to eat. About 12.6 million, or 11.2 percent of all American households, were "food insecure" at some point last year, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report. One of the caucus's first orders of business, said Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), one of the group's founders, will be keeping the issue on the Senate's front burner.

http://tinyurl.com/5pmzg

3. Sen. Harkin Obtains Study of Nutrition Standards for Foods in School

("Harkin enlists Institute of Medicine to Study Foods in Schools," Office of Senator Harkin, November 24, 2004)

A provision that would recommend appropriate nutrition standards for school foods sold outside the federal child nutrition program has been authored by Senator Harkin (D-IA). The measure is included in the annual federal appropriations measure for health programs and activities, and commissions the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences to make the nutrition recommendations. "America's kids receive conflicting messages about good nutrition at school. If they eat a school lunch or breakfast, they get balanced and nutritious meals meeting nutrition standards, but that is very seldom true if they eat from a la carte lines, vending machines, or snack bars," said Harkin. "It's time we start giving students consistent messages and healthy options no matter how they get their food at school. This study will provide schools basic guidelines that they can voluntarily follow."

http://harkin.senate.gov/press/print-release.cfm?id=228717

4. 1 in 3 U.S. Children at Risk for Diabetes

("Supersized kids," Hampton Roads Daily Press, November 26, 2004)

One in three children born in 2000 will develop diabetes if they continue on the low-activity, high-calorie pattern of Americans today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate will be higher for black children and even higher for Hispanics -- up to 53 percent of girls. To counter the trend, the article recommends improving the nutrition of school lunches and nutrition education in schools, banning junk food and soda machines from schools, making physical education part of every child's day from pre-school through high school, and making sure children get a consistent message in school about nutrition. Safe places for active play are also needed, the article says.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/opinion/dp-18043sy0nov26,1,1225536.story

5. Food Stamp Expansion Aims for Newest Americans

("Assessing Implementation of the 2002 Farm Bill's Legal Immigrant Food Stamp Restorations," Urban Institute, November 2004)

Over 150,000 legal immigrants were added to the Food Stamp Program in CA, TX, FL, IL, NJ, MA, NC, and TN immediately after benefits were extended to legal immigrants in the 2002 Farm Bill, according to a report by the Urban Institute. However, the majority of the legal immigrants restored to the Food Stamp Program were either participants in state-funded food assistance programs (some states created such programs after most legal immigrants lost eligibility in 1996) or were previously ineligible members of households containing food stamp participants. The report found numerous barriers that prevent more immigrants from participating in the program. Some food stamp offices, particularly those in larger urban areas, have been hit hard by budget cuts, and caseloads of up to 1,000 per worker are hindering communication with clients. Illinois is the only state in the study that had a "major public campaign that focused specifically on the legal immigrant restorations." Many immigrants continue to fear applying for food stamps because of the potential consequences on their naturalization applications and ability to sponsor relatives. Some fear deportation of undocumented family members. California and Texas fingerprint applicants, adding to immigrants' anxiety about participating.

Download the report:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/oane/MENU/Published/FSP/FILES/ImmigrantFSPRestoration.pdf

See related FRAC article "Low Income Legal Immigrant Children Regain Eligibility for Food Stamp Program Benefits October 1st":
http://www.frac.org/html/news/100103immigrants.htm

6. California: State Food Stamp Program Makes Strides

("Helping hungry, low-wage workers," San Diego Union-Tribune, November 25, 2004)

This op-ed by George Manalo LeClair of California Food Policy Advocates says California ranks dead last among the states for food stamp participation and access, citing U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Improvements have been made to the state's food stamp program such as implementing electronic debit cards to distribute benefits and the transitional Food Stamp Program, which provides food help to families leaving cash assistance. Gov. Schwarzenegger has declared the transitional program a "high priority." In addition, his budget highlights food stamps as a way to get more federal resources into California. But barriers to the program still exist, especially for working parents. Requiring applicants' fingerprints, opening food stamp offices only during traditional office hours, and processes that require multiple trips to the food stamp office are among the problems. The state has 5 million people who struggle to get adequate nutritious food, research from University of California Los Angeles found.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041125/news_lz1e25leclair.html

7. Virginia: Governor Promotes Healthier Lifestyle Plan at Summit

("Governor Warner Addresses Summit on Healthy Virginians," Office of the Governor, November 30, 2004)

Governor Warner held a Governor’s Summit on Healthy Virginians November 29-30 and highlighted his recent initiatives to promote improved nutrition and healthier lifestyles among the state's workforce, public school children, and Medicaid population. Among his proposals is the first-ever state subsidy for school breakfast programs to increase school participation across the Commonwealth. He also plans to focus on improving school lunch and breakfast options, encouraging healthier school vending machine offerings, and promoting increased physical exercise for Virginia’s school children. Governor Warner will also announce creation of a statewide council on physical fitness and sports.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2004/Nov04/1130b.htm

8. California: School Breakfast Aids Children's Learning

("Good breakfast an essential tool for learning," Contra Costa Times, November 29, 2004)

One in five California teenagers generally does not eat breakfast, write Carla Nino, president of the California State PTA and Jessica Reich, director of food quality policy at California Food Policy Advocates. Children that do not eat breakfast are more likely to miss school, not pay attention in class, do poorly on tests and act out. New research suggests that eating a nutritious breakfast can help thwart the obesity epidemic. Parents can help their children by enrolling them in the federal School Breakfast Program and helping their school take full advantage of this resource. The state is underutilizing the program. California turns away more than $437 million each year in federal funds due to low breakfast participation. To reach more children, the article recommends getting the 1,400 California schools that do not offer school breakfast to do so, and getting all schools to change how breakfast is served. "Kiosks instead of cafeterias, fresh fruit instead of mushy pears, breakfast at a time when kids are ready to eat -- these well-tested strategies can turn a stodgy program into one that works," the authors write.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/columnists/perspective/10298514.htm

9. Massachusetts: Three Meals a Day a Luxury

("The cost of good nutrition," Boston Globe, November 30, 2004)

The poor are more susceptible to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, research shows. Causes of the increased risk are lack of decent food at neighborhood stores, knowledge about nutrition and time to make healthy meals. The consequences become evident when children with delayed development tied to severe iron deficiency from lack of vegetables turn up at the Whittier Street Health Center in Roxbury; or when children are so malnourished that Dr. Deborah Frank has to hospitalize them at Boston Medical Center. The number of babies requiring such treatment tripled from 1999 to this year. When Frank, director of Boston Medical's Grow Clinic for Children, tells mothers to feed their children at least three times a day, the mothers sometimes "burst into tears" because "they can't imagine being able to do that," said Frank. "Malnutrition is not an eyeball diagnosis in this city. You may have walked past many little round-faced kids on the street and said, 'Oh, what a cute 1-year-old.' What you don't know is that's a malnourished 3-year-old."

http://tinyurl.com/5amvz

Related report "People on food stamps can’t afford heart-healthy meals," from the American Heart Association:
http://tinyurl.com/3nty2

10. Kentucky: Some Kentuckians' Paychecks not Enough for Basics

("A new class: The working poor," Grayson County News-Gazette, November 29, 2004)

Working and contributing to Kentucky's prosperity, but unable to afford basic needs. A majority have low education and no health insurance. This population was the subject of a recent study by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Its recent report said, "They are the teachers, the school bus drivers, they work on our farms, provide home health services for our aging parents and serve us in restaurants." More than four out of 10 families with incomes below the federal poverty line ($18,104 for a family of four) are working now, the report said, "yet are unable to fully cover the costs of food, housing, child care and other basic needs...The assumption that those who are poor either do not work or do not want to work must be replaced by a more thorough understanding of the complicated circumstances in which many Kentuckians live."

http://www.gcnewsgazette.com/articles/2004/11/29/local_news/news21.txt

11. Kansas: Food Stamp Benefits Going Unclaimed

("Food stamp benefits unclaimed in Kansas," Lawrence Journal-World, November 24, 2004)

More than four out of 10 Kansans eligible for food stamps are not receiving them, according to a report by Kansas Action for Children. The group recommended that state officials improve outreach efforts to low-income families, make it easier to apply for food stamps, and eliminate an asset test, which requires families to spend down cash resources to meet the program's income requirements. In 2001, Kansas was the 13th lowest-ranked state in food stamp participation. But Dennis Priest, who oversees the food stamp program in Kansas, said the state since had improved enough to be in the middle of the pack. The state has enlisted the aid of Dillon Stores and the Kansas Food Bank to distribute information about food stamps, he said. "We are trying to get food stamps out of the general picture of a welfare program when really it is there to help people who need to improve their nutrition," said Priest.

http://www.ljworld.com/section/stateregional/story/188553

Download the report "Making Families Count: Maximizing the Impact of Food Stamps in Kansas" by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.kac.org/docs/mfc_foodstamps.pdf

12. Indiana: Mayor Tries Eating on $250 a Month Food Stamp Budget

("Mayor takes a walk in resident's shoes," Post and Mail, November 26, 2004)

Attempting to eat on a food stamp budget translates to $250 per month for food for Columbia city mayor Jim Fleckand his family. Fleck is one of 10 Indiana mayors and about 20 other public officials participating in the "Walk a Mile" project. The program pairs public policy makers with low-income people, one-on-one, for a month to live in each other's shoes. Fleck's family was matched with a local family on food stamps. Fleck said he must live on the equivalent amount of food stamps for a month and make that allotment stretch for the entire month. Walk a Mile also hopes to help low-income constituents better understand the political process, encourage them to become more involved in politics, and learn to become self-advocates.

http://thepostandmail.com/articles/2004/11/26/news/news/news01.txt

13. Illinois: U.S.' Smallest State Workforce Per Capita Means Understaffing

("Ill. payroll is leanest in nation," Elgin Courier News, November 29, 2004)

Illinois had the nation's lowest average number of state employees compared to its population from 1998 to 2003, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The union that represents thousands of Illinois government employees believes the data bolster its claim that state employees are facing dangerously large workloads and work with shortages in key areas such as state prisons, welfare offices and child protection agencies. Judy Beatty juggles hundreds of cases of people needing food stamps and medical benefits at the East Alton office of the Illinois Department of Human Services. Staffing cutbacks have increased the workload, and a ban on overtime pay has forced further delays, she said. "It's just beyond your imagination," Beatty said. "It's so stressful here. We can't keep up. No one could do it."

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/top/e29stream1.htm

14. California: New CalWorks Rules Require More Working Hours

("Revisions to CalWorks mean more time on job," Contra Costa Times, December 1, 2004)

New California welfare (CalWorks) regulations that took effect recently will require parents on welfare to spend more hours at work each week. The revised rules cut the amount of time recipients can devote to classes, counseling and training in lieu of paid or volunteer hours. But some parents enrolled in college will have more time to finish, a shift cheered by advocates as a better long-term solution to family poverty. The new rules also expand the prior time limit on welfare-to-work services from 18-24 months to five years. "There are good parts and bad parts [in the new regulations]," said Jodie Berger, regional counsel for Legal Services of Northern California.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/living/education/10310777.htm?1c

15. Colorado: Feds, State Meet to Correct Welfare Backlog

("State, feds meet to discuss welfare benefits woes," Casper Star Tribune, November 2, 2004)

State and federal officials met November 2 to clarify how the state will correct problems with its new welfare computer system after complaints that thousands of people are going without benefits. Last month the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a "letter of concern" to the state. The state Human Services Department, which administers food stamps, and the state Health Care Policy and Finance Department, which administers Medicaid, disputed some of the USDA charges in a report released November 1, listing improvements such as a 190 percent increase since September in the number of benefits cases processed each day. State department spokeswoman Liz McDonough said her agency will be able to correct problems by the end of February. The Colorado Center on Law and Policy sued the state over the backlog, claiming the state failed to provide assistance within required time frames in more than 22,000 cases. The center found fault with the state agencies' report, saying it did not predict when it could catch up on the backlog, and showed few new resources were devoted to the efforts.

http://www.casperstartribune.net/apdata/wire_detail.php?wire_num=80833

16.Wyoming: Poor Women too "Rich" for the State

("Poor women battle contradictions," Casper Star Tribune, November 27, 2004)

The Wyoming Department of Family Services advised Brandy to quit her job when she became pregnant. Like many poor women, Brandy earned too much to qualify for state medical care, but was unable to afford health care on top other basics such as rent and food. These low-income women are forced to stop working in order to get state aid. Without Brandy's income, and with her husband making $10/hour, the family qualifies for state prenatal medical care coverage. However, state aid forces a trade-off. Without Brandy's income, the family is short on funds for other bills -- like maternity clothes or groceries.

http://tinyurl.com/4t795

17. Alabama: More Children than Ever Eating School Breakfast

("More kids than ever eating breakfast at school," Montgomery Advertiser, December 3, 2004)

"I like to eat breakfast here everyday," said J'Tiarius Bibb, a kindergartner at Seth Johnson Elementary School. "It makes me feel better during the day." Bibb is one of approximately 5,800 Montgomery Public School students who take part in the school system's breakfast program each day. Thirty-four of the system's 60 schools participate. Cindy Belcher, director of food nutrition for Montgomery Public Schools, said the program likely will expand into other schools next year. According to a recent study by FRAC, schools across the country are serving more breakfasts than ever before, but a large number of students are still missing out on that important first meal of the day. The school breakfast program is important because it addresses education, hunger and obesity, said Randy Rosso of FRAC.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/NEWSV5/storyV5early03.htm