USDA Intends To Regulate Foods Provided To School Children
Posted on: Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 06:05 CDT
The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday announced legislation that would provide the United States Agriculture Department with the means to take charge of all foods sold in public schools.
On Tuesday, Tom Harkin said the Agriculture Committee would begin work in October or November that would produce a bill to give the USDA power over school lunch programs.
"I can tell you it won't be this month," Harkin told Reuters, adding that the current focus lies on health care reform and annual spending budgets.
According to Reuters, Kevin Concannon, who is currently awaiting confirmation to take charge of the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, described a multilateral approach to combating the health issues linked to poor diet.
"It's a cultural thing. We've evolved to this over the past 30 or 40 years, and it's going to take efforts on a number of fronts," Concannon said.
Right now, the USDA only has control over the contents of school lunches, but it does not have power over single items provided by school lunch lines or snack foods sold in school markets.
In April, President Barack Obama and Secretary Tom Vilsack nominated Concannon to take over the position. Previous to the nomination, Concannon presided over four health and human service agencies in Iowa, Maine and Oregon. He led statewide food stamp and food assistance programs.
President Obama’s administration has a long-term goal of eliminating childhood hunger by 2015.
"From children's and juvenile services, to Medicaid, public health and many other areas, Kevin has dedicated his career to improving the lives of millions in every stage and every circumstance of life,” said Vilsack upon Concannon’s nomination.
“Now we're tapping his leadership and experience to serve citizens across the nation and address President Obama's deep concern for the health and welfare—and particularly the nutrition—of America's children."
Concannon has also said he wants to allow for plans that would let people on USDA food assistance to purchase food from farmers’ markets.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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