Nutrition Consortium Praises New York State Assembly Social Services Committee for Continued Support of the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program

On December 15, 2009, the Nutrition Consortium of New York State testified at the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Social Services Hearing. The topic of the hearing was "The Impact of the 2009-2010 State Budget on the Programs and Services of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)." The Nutrition Consortium spoke about the many benefits of OTDA's continued funding for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) in 2009-2010. Here is an excerpt from the testimony:

"One of OTDA’s successful initiatives to increase access to nutrition assistance programs by eligible populations is the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP). NOEP is funded by OTDA and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and federally matched dollar for dollar by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Nutrition Consortium , as the statewide administrator of NOEP, would like to extend its most sincere thanks to the Assembly for its leadership in maintaining funding for this important program in the 2009-2010 budget, along with the Senate and Governor. In particular, we would like to thank Assemblyman Wright for his commitment to maintaining NOEP funding, despite a very difficult budget situation in the State..."

"By the end of 2009-2010, we project that NOEP will bring at least $70 million in federal food stamp benefits into the state. This is 35 times what the state will have invested in it. A program that returns 35 times what the state invests in it, improves public health, promotes self-sufficiency, helps people from all backgrounds, ethnic groups, ages, and geographic areas, is a wonderful example of good, sound public policy, and we commend the New York State Assembly for recognizing it as such, and maintaining its funding..."

Read the full testimony

Nutrition Consortium Press Release Commends Congressman Tonko for Universal Classroom Breakfast Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Casey Dinkin, Manager of Advocacy and Communications
Nutrition Consortium of NYS
(518)229-8845
www.nutritionconsortium.org

Anti-Hunger Advocates Commend Congressman Paul Tonko for Bill to Expand Universal Classroom Breakfast

Albany, NY, 12/23/09—Anti-hunger advocates commended Congressman Paul Tonko for introducing a bill to expand Universal Classroom Breakfast programs by offering startup grants to schools. The Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act (H.R. 4325) is aimed at replicating the successful model of universal breakfast in the classroom. Studies show that universal breakfast in the classroom is the most effective way to deliver morning nutrition to students, and a wide body of research documents the many positive academic, health, and social benefits of school breakfast consumption on children.

“The Nutrition Consortium of NYS applauds Congressman Paul Tonko for introducing this well-timed legislation, which will have a positive impact on children’s health, education, and well-being,” said Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of NYS, a statewide anti-hunger organization. “73% of New York’s low-income children miss out on school breakfast, despite rising numbers of children in New York who struggle with hunger.”

Bopp continued, “Research shows that moving breakfast from the cafeteria to the classroom more than doubles the number of children who participate. Congressman Tonko’s legislation is based on the well-documented link between increased school breakfast consumption and improved academic performance, including higher test scores, fewer nurse visits and disciplinary office referrals, and less absenteeism and tardiness. Making sure that children have nutritious breakfast to start their day is good for New York’s children, schools, and future.”
For more resources on School Breakfast, and Universal Classroom Breakfast see the following:

http://www.frac.org/pdf/breakfastforlearning.PDF
http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/documents/abcfinal.pdf
http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/documents/2007-2008ShinewithSBReport.pdf
http://www.nutritionconsortium.org/childnutrition/documents/BreakfastAftertheBellSlideshow.pdf

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Congressman Paul Tonko Introduces Bill to Expand Universal Classroom Breakfast for Low-Income Children

From Representative Tonko's website (http://tonko.house.gov/2009/12/rep-tonko-introduces-bill-to-expand-univeral-school-breakfast-program.shtml):

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Paul Tonko introduced a bill today in the U.S. House of Representatives that will help thousands of low-income children receive a free, nutritious breakfast at school. The Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act will create a competitive grant program that will assist schools serving low-income children to establish a universal classroom breakfast program.

"Every child deserves a healthy breakfast to start their day, but the current school breakfast program misses too many students," said Congressman Tonko. "That is why I am proud to introduce the Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act, to help our schools ensure that every child has access to a good breakfast every day. Especially in these difficult economic times, for our municipalities, schools and families, it is important that we give our nation’s children the opportunity to succeed and enhance their mind, body and soul. Daily breakfast does just that."

The Nutrition Consortium's Executive Director, Linda Bopp, is quoted in the press release:

Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of NYS, said, "We commend Congressman Paul Tonko for introducing the ‘Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act’, and urge all members of the New York State Congressional delegation to co-sponsor this legislation that allows for universal classroom breakfast start-up grants. At a time when so many families across the state are struggling to make ends meet, the School Breakfast Program offers a healthy and affordable option to ensure children begin their school day without hunger. Research shows that schools with universal breakfast in the classroom programs have double and triple the breakfast participation rates of those who serve in the cafeteria."


For the full press release, go to: http://tonko.house.gov/2009/12/rep-tonko-introduces-bill-to-expand-univeral-school-breakfast-program.shtml

NYS Ranks 38th in Nation for School Breakfast Participation, Study Finds

NYS Ranks 38th in Nation for School Breakfast Participation, Study Finds

The high cost of low participation means that NYS is losing almost $52 million annually in federal funding. From the Food Research and Action Center:

Participation in School Breakfast Program Should be Higher, FRAC Reports
(FRAC, December 7, 2009)

Across the country, more children could be participating in the federal School Breakfast Program, especially as families struggle with unemployment and other financial difficulties during the recession, according to the School Breakfast Scorecard (pdf) and School Breakfast in America's Big Cities (pdf), two reports published by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) this month. Only 47 children participate in the breakfast program for every 100 receiving free and reduced-price lunch. "The free breakfast program is never more important than it is today due to the effects of the recession," said FRAC president Jim Weill. "Nationally we've seen a real increase in breakfast participation among low income children both because of the recession and because states generally have slowly been increasing breakfast use, but participation is just not growing fast enough. States can do a better job in reaching more children and Congress needs to take steps to make it easier for schools and children to reap the benefits of school breakfast."

Free Webinar about Hunger in US, 12/8

One in six Americans is in a struggle against hunger. Please join a FREE webinar hosted by the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) to learn more.

Date: Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm

From CHN: In just one year, the number of people in households that sometimes lacked the money for enough nutritious food rose from 36 million to 49 million - the highest number on record. Among them were 17 million children - 4 million more in 2008 than in 2007. This is called food insecurity. The recession is making it worse. It is hurting children.

During the webinar, learn about:

• What the USDA food security survey means
• How to use the food security data compellingly, simply, and accurately
• Research showing how food insecurity hurts children
• What policy choices can halt this very disturbing trend

For more information about this FREE webinar and/or to register, click here.

Food Stamp Use Soars, and Stigma Fades

New York Times Article by JASON DePARLE and ROBERT GEBELOFF
Published: November 28, 2009

MARTINSVILLE, Ohio — With food stamp use at record highs and climbing every month, a program once scorned as a failed welfare scheme now helps feed one in eight Americans and one in four children.

It has grown so rapidly in places so diverse that it is becoming nearly as ordinary as the groceries it buys. More than 36 million people use inconspicuous plastic cards for staples like milk, bread and cheese, swiping them at counters in blighted cities and in suburbs pocked with foreclosure signs.

More

To view an interactive map that provides county specific data on Food Stamp Usage Across the Country click here.