SNE 2009 PRIORITY ISSUES

SNE is working with Congress and federal agencies to address the greatest concerns facing nutrition educators across the United States . These three top priority issues were developed in response to a public policy survey conducted with SNE members in the summer of 2008.

Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR)– In 2009, Congress will review the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. This legislation, which is set to expire on September 30, 2009, includes all the Federal child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast and the National School Lunch Programs, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Two ACPP subcommittees are working on CNR for SNE – the CNR in schools and CNR WIC. The Child Nutrition Reauthorization (schools) sub-committee planned a last minute session for the SNE annual conference in Atlanta in July, which was well attended. In mid-October, SNE submitted recommendations for nutrition education for new Child Nutrition Reauthorization guidelines.  Click here to read the recommendations.  We also have endorsed recommendations submitted by the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA), of which we are a member. The NANA recommendations included guidelines for school foods, school wellness policies as well as nutrition education.

Food Security and Hunger – This includes issues around Federal Food and Nutrition programs (Supplemental Food Assistance Program, SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program), as well as federal nutrition education programs such as SNAP-ED, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), anti-hunger legislation, etc. With the economy in a weakened position, and food costs continuing to rise, ACPP will be following recommendations made by the newly elected administration and congressional members. We are especially interested in the potential for economic stimulus packages aimed at increasing benefits to those who receive food assistance, as well as tax relief for “ Main Street .” SNE will work to support increased funding for nutrition education programs reaching low income populations.

Obesity – This top priority will include sub-committees looking at the food and activity environment, food labeling issues and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Some of the activities are examining food marketing to children guidelines and strategies, working on the Nutrition Labeling Modernization Act of 2008, and possibly a new Transportation Act which can affect the built environment. Child Nutrition is also closely linked with childhood obesity prevention.