How USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs Support Local Food Systems 1 Minnesota Food Access Conference August 2013

Intro USDA Overview FNS Programs GoodGreens USDA Local Food Efforts Q & A 3 Minnesota Food Access Conference August 2013

4 Minnesota Food Access Conference August 2013

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Wall Street? Where’s that?

Minnesota Facts Mosquitoes = public nuisance No x-ing state line w/ chicken/duck atop your head All bathtubs must have feet No elephant parking on Main St. It’s illegal to tease skunks No painting sparrows to pass as parakeets 8

USDA Overview Ag Marketing Service Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service Center for Nutrition Policy & Promotion Economic Research Service Farm Service Agency Food & Nutrition Service Rural Development Food Safety Inspection Service Natural Resources Conservation Service 10

Touch the lives of 1 in 4 Americans each year… Reach People Across Generations...

 The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) increases food security and reduces hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and needy families access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence.  FNS serves 1 in 4 Americans each year 12

 SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): average 46.6 million participants in 2012 of which ½ are children  WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children): about 9 million each month, including half of all US babies  School Meal Programs-National School Lunch Program: about 32 million students; School Breakfast about 13 million students/day. 13

School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Child Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Summer Food Service Programs Special Milk Program Fruit and Vegetable Program Child Nutrition Programs

15 Serves low-income mothers, young children and seniors. Uses coupons at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community programs that grow fruits and vegetables.

All of America’s children have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals.

 Operates in about 100,000 schools and institutions.  New meal patterns (implemented School Year ) includes: More fruits, vegetables, and whole grains Set calorie to age-appropriate levels for grades K-5, 6-8, and Gradually reduces the sodium content of the meals

 Operates in approximately 89,000 schools and institutions.  New meal patterns( implementation starts in SY More whole grains offered. Appropriate calories for grades K-5, 6-8, and Sodium content gradually reduced More fruit beginning SY SBP Fact Sheet are available at:

School Meals Make A Difference  Lunches consumed by NSLP participants were more nutrient dense.  NSLP participants were more likely to consume vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, and mixed dishes.  NSLP participants were less likely to consume salty snacks and beverages other than milk or juice.

Healthy Eating and Academics Healthy Eating and Academics These healthy habits may also play a role in helping kids to have:  Greater concentration  Better attendance  Better classroom behavior  Lower obesity rates  Better self-esteem

Breakfast and Cognition  Eating a healthy breakfast might enhance cognitive function (especially memory)  Increase attendance rates  Reduce absenteeism  Improve psychosocial function and mood  Improved math scores

Policy Changes  Upgraded Meal Standards for Lunch and Breakfast  Increased reimbursement rate  Published Smart Snacks in School proposed rule, 2/8/13)  Developing new standards for CACFP  Improving the quality of USDA Foods  Expanding Access

SUMMARY Research shows that kids who have healthy eating patterns and get regular physical activity are more likely to perform better academically, but…

7% of military veterans receive SNAP 1 in 7 Americans received SNAP in 2011 Average benefit per person = $ Almost 54% of households are children or elderly. 45% less than 18 yrs old

SNAP = 2% of federal budget 65% of recent increase in SNAP spending from increase in participants, due to economy 20% of increase due to temporary higher benefit amounts from ARRA SNAP lessens effect of poverty, decreases food insecurity & hunger Each $1 billion on SNAP = 18,000 full-time jobs, including 3,000 farm jobs Every $1 in SNAP = up to $1.80 in economic impact

Households Don’t Work: Around 30% of households have earnings. 40% of participants live in household w/ earnings.

SNAP households spend their benefits on junk food: Diets of SNAP households don’t differ much from those of others Over the past 5 years, farmers market redemptions increased 506% ¾ of foods SNAP households use are fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, meat & meat alternatives

There’s a lot of fraud in SNAP SNAP cannot be used to withdraw $ at ATMs 2012 accuracy rate = 96.58, over & under—highest rate ever! In 2012, USDA reviewed 15,000+ stores & disqualified almost 1400 for violations, up from 1215 disqualified in 2011.

Farmers' Markets and Direct Marketing Farmers Authorized Store Counts and Redemptions (01/08/13) State FY 2011 Authorized Stores FY 2012 Authorized Stores FY 2011 Redemptions FY 2012 Redemptions FY 2011 to FY 2012 Redemption Increase IL4965$110,379$191, % IN2034$20,527$30, % MI151221$1,076,611$1,530, % MN4453$66,852$149, % OH8298$167,040$201, % WI4764$104,861$170, % Midwest ,546,2702,273, %

Connects K-12 schools with regional or Local farms

USDA Foods are Healthier More whole grains Less sugar Less sodium Less fat

FNS Priorities, Opportunities & Gaps Summer Food Service Program (21m free & reduced, 3m SFSP) School Breakfast Program (31.6m lunch, 12.86m breakfast) Nutrition Education 34

FNS Priorities, Opportunities & Gaps SNAP: Seniors Employed Latinos SNAP at farmers markets Midwest farmers market partners Health Care Org partners 35

GoodGreens.org GoodGreens.org envisions a region in which all residents have access to affordable, locally grown food and appreciate the importance of good nutrition for themselves, their families and their communities.

GoodGreens.org Mission - To promote sustainable local food production, provide economic development and increase consumption of local fruits and vegetables in the Midwest through collaborations with federal, state, local, academic, community and grassroots organizations. Good Greens promotes these through information-sharing, issue and opportunity identification, collaboration and creation of and nurturing of connections within communities and the region.

GoodGreens.org HISTORY 2009, Personal Interest in Food Access issues, agriculture, economic development Ability to leverage FNS programs & address all issues Collaboration w/ US Rep Rush Good Greens in IL 1 st District Initially envisioned to work on projects

GoodGreens.org Member database (around 400) Monthly Meetings (4 th Thursday, CT) Variety of Speakers, represent all facets of food system News & info, grant info Collaboration Matchmaking Synergies

GoodGreens.org Farm to School Example: Small models, work intensive Not scalable Minimal impact CPS/FarmLogix/Aramark

GoodGreens.org Pembroke Example: Small models, work intensive Not scalable Minimal impact Food hub establishment Farmer training, grant receipt

USDA Support for Local Food

USDA Local & Regional Food Systems Why local and regional food?  Economic development opportunities  Educational opportunities for kids and communities  Increased willingness to consume healthy foods  Fresher products (sometimes)  Increased access to healthy food

The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative

USDA and Local/Regional Food Systems Extending the Growing Season  Seasonal High Tunnel initiative (hoop houses) NRCS State Conservationists:

USDA and Local/Regional Food Systems Value-Added Product Development  Value-Added Producer Grants Rural Development State Offices:

USDA and Local/Regional Food Systems Farm to Institution  Plan and implement new farm to school programs  Farm to School grants  Develop kitchen equipment and cold storage  Specialty Crop Block Grants  Community Facilities grants and loans  Rural Business Enterprise Grants  School and community gardens  Specialty Crop Block Grants  GreenSchools! program  Team Nutrition Training Grants

Regional Food Hubs USDA Working Definition A business or organization that actively manages the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified food products primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand.

Based on a working list of 200 regional food hubs identified by the NGFN Food Hub Collaboration

Food Hub Resources

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food: Resources for Navigating USDA

Includes data on:  USDA-funded local food projects  Farmers markets and other “context data” gathered by USDA agencies Projects and resources from 9 other federal departments Updated regularly The KYF Compass Map

USDA Food & Nutrition Service Alan Shannon Public Affairs 77 W Jackson Blvd, 20 th Floor Chicago IL