Nutrition program changes expected to pit food groups against each other

By JERRY HAGSTROM
For the Capital Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and first lady Michelle Obama are expected next week to launch anti-obesity and child nutrition efforts that will have major implications for the fruit and vegetable and meat and dairy industries.

Vilsack has scheduled a speech at the National Press Club on Feb. 8 to announce the Obama administration's priorities in reauthorization of the child nutrition programs, which include school meals and the special nutritional program for women, infants and children known as WIC. Michelle Obama is expected on Feb. 9 to announce an anti-obesity campaign that will include changes in school meals, but also emphasize physical activity and teaching children good nutritional habits.

President Obama's budget called for a $1 billion per year increase in the child nutrition programs.

The reauthorization of the child nutrition programs is expected to spark debate between those who favor using additional money to feed more children and those who believe the money should be used to improve the quality of the food. It is also expected to pit food groups against each other, as the meat and dairy industries, for example, fight with the fruit and vegetable industry for a share of the federal nutrition budget.

Three cabinet secretaries and a bipartisan congressional delegation met with the first lady at the White House Feb. 2 to discuss her anti-obesity campaign.

She told the group that reauthorization of the childhood nutrition programs would be an opportunity to reduce obesity, adding, "But truly this is an issue that's got to be ground-up, and something that requires bipartisan engagement."

After the meeting in the White House family dining room, Vilsack, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., and Senate Health, Education, Welfare and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, all pledged to work on a coordinated approach to fight obesity.

"If we are to move to a true 'wellness society' and rein in skyrocketing health care costs, we must start with the health and well being of our youth," Harkin said. "I welcome this dialogue on the subject and am hopeful that Congress and the Administration can work together to pass strong legislation to improve children's health and fight childhood obesity."

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Senate Health, Education, Welfare and Pensions ranking member Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., attended the event, but did not join the press briefing. An Enzi spokeswoman said the senator said it was a good first start on the issue.

Chambliss issued a statement that he highlighted the role parents play in children's diets.