Vilsack talks healthy foods, childhood nutrition

The SNAP program will be expanded, and a pilot program was a success.

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the success of a USDA Food and Nutrition Service pilot program to increase access and empower families to provide healthy foods among the poorest elementary school students in the US. The Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program, initiated in 2002, resulted in 15 percent higher fresh fruit and vegetable consumption by students in the program.

Vilsack also announced the expansion of the SNAP program with the launch of the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program. The program provides states with additional flexibility to support nutrition education and obesity prevention activities according to the needs of SNAP recipients.