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Media Advisory No. 0014.16 Contact: [TIME CHANGE] Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Former Agriculture Secretaries Dan Glickman and Ann Veneman to Host Conversation on Food and Nutrition at the Bipartisan Policy Center WASHINGTON, March 9, 2016 – TODAY, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will join former Secretaries Dan Glickman and Ann Veneman to discuss the current state of nutrition in America and innovative ways to create a healthier future. Throughout the last seven years, USDA has worked to address hunger, obesity, healthy food access and many other challenges associated with poor health. As a result of USDA investments, food insecurity, including the prevalence of hunger among children, has steadily declined from its peak in 2011. Data shows that obesity rates are falling among young kids due in part to the nutritional improvements made to WIC. The National School Lunch Program has experienced a 19-percent increase in free and reduced price lunch participation, while participation in the School Breakfast Program has increased by 30 percent, suggesting more low-income children are benefiting from these programs. Nearly 4 million children have access to healthy food in the summer when school is out and meals are scarce. In addition to that, 8 million low-income women, infants and young children now receive an improved variety of healthy food in WIC food packages thanks to changes implemented by this Administration. And most recently, Secretary Vilsack announced a major step to make it easier for WIC participants to access nutritious foods through the WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Final Rule. This new rule will improve the shopping experience for WIC participants by requiring states to transition from paper benefits to EBT systems by Oct. 1, 2020. By expanding access to nutritious foods and increasing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, USDA programs have made a real difference in the lives of many, promising a brighter, healthier future for our nation. This conversation is a part of a broader effort to observe National Nutrition month and highlight results from some of USDA’s efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans. Wednesday, March 9, 2016 WHAT: WHERE: Please RSVP here. #
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