Posted by Rebecca Shively, Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships on June 13, 2011
In his opening remarks at this season’s first Department of Agriculture Farmers Market, held adjacent to the Department headquarters on the National Mall, Secretary Vilsack spoke about the national movement to rebuild our rural economy and connect urban communities with America’s farmers. The market—a bustle of activity with a crowd of shoppers purchasing produce, homemade preserves, and artisanal bread—was a festive celebration of that movement, but not the only attraction of the day!
Posted by Max Finberg, Director, and Marissa Duswalt, Truman-Albright Fellow, USDA’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships on June 9, 2011
Most kids get excited about summer vacation. But for those who depend on school lunch and breakfast for their main meals of the day, they’re not as excited about summer. Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t take a vacation. Without cafeterias as the natural gathering point, congregations and community organizations are where kids can gather and get a meal this summer.
Posted by Robin Schepper, Executive Director of Let’s Move! on June 9, 2011
You may have seen the blog post on Let’s Move! yesterday announcing Let’s Move! Child Care, a new effort to work with child and day care providers to help our youngest children get off to a healthy start. Using a checklist and web tools developed in a public-private partnership between the HHS, Nemours, and other partners child and day care providers will emphasize positive choices like increased physical activity, reduced screen time, and eating fruits and vegetables. The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and the nation’s second largest childcare provider, Bright Horizons, have already committed to implementing this checklist, which will make a difference in the lives of over 280,000 children.
Posted by Rayne Pegg, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service on June 9, 2011
The term “food deserts” refers to urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. More than 23 million Americans live in food deserts, and this lack of access contributes directly to poor diets which can lead to obesity.
Posted by Emily Buckham Buday, USDA FNS Outreach Strategist on June 8, 2011
Posted by Robin Schepper, Executive Director of Let’s Move! on June 8, 2011
Watch First Lady Michelle Obama unveil Let's Move! Child Care.
We are pleased and excited to announce Let’s Move! Child Care, a new effort to work with child and day care providers to help our youngest children get off to a healthy start.
Everyone has a role to play in ending childhood obesity, and child and day care centers are certainly no exception. By providing a solid checklist on healthy nutrition, physical activity and screen time, we all can help take more responsibility for the healthy habits of our kids. We are starting off strong with commitments from the public sector: the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration; and also the private sector, Bright Horizons, the nation’s second largest childcare provider. All three are committing to implement the checklist which will reach over 280,000 children.
Posted by Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services on June 8, 2011
I start most days with a run, but this Sunday, June 5th was something special: I joined 717 girls, aged 8 to 13, at the biannual Girls on the Run – DC 5K race at American University. With 177 volunteer coaches and hundreds of family members and friends there to support them, these ‘girls on the run’ were strong and confident, full of energy and fun.
Posted by Robin Schepper, Executive Director, Let’s Move! on June 7, 2011
Let’s Move! is making great strides in our efforts to end childhood obesity, but we cannot reverse the current obesity trends without the the help of your communities and community leaders. To ensure a country where happy, healthy, lifestyles are the norm, community leaders have some of the biggest roles to play.
Posted by Deidra McGee, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Forest Service on June 7, 2011
Once again this year, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell is encouraging kids and their families to reconnect with nature and have fun by participating in the 4th annual National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day), on Saturday, June 11. This FREE event is designed to attract diverse communities to outdoor activities and motivate kids to get moving and explore their forests and other public lands.
“GO Day is an excellent opportunity for kids of all ages to try new activities and become inspired to learn more about nature and conservation issues,” said Chief Tidwell. “As the school year comes to a close, this is the perfect time to have fun and foster a sense of curiosity while realizing that national forests and public lands are a source of great adventure.”
Posted by Amanda Browne, Intern, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service on June 7, 2011
National Summer Food Service Program Week – Day 2!
Today marks day two in the first ever National Summer Food Service Program Week, a weeklong awareness campaign to promote USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and other programs nationwide to feed low income kids.
Lots of things are happening around the country this week to help feed more hungry children this summer. For example today is National Hunger Awareness Day – as designated by the U.S. Senate in a bipartisan resolution. This is very fitting, given that at least 17 million children in the United States face a higher risk of hunger in the summer. Also today Agriculture Secretary Vilsack joined Jeff Bridges, Share Our Strength founder Bill Shore, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and others to launch Virginia’s No Kid Hungry Campaign at Barcroft Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia.
