USDA and the Corporation for National and Community Service mark Thanksgiving With a Call to Service

This week, as families across America prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Obama Administration is asking Americans to think about their neighbors who are struggling to put food on the table. Although we are the richest nation in the world, the food security report released last Monday by USDA’s Economic Research Service indicates that hunger is a serious and growing problem in the United States. In 2008, more than 49 million people, including more than 16 million children, were at risk of going hungry in America, up from 35 million in 2007.

President Obama and Secretary Vilsack have made addressing the issue of hunger in America a high priority of this Administration. For example, the President has committed to ending childhood hunger in this country by 2015. Secretary Vilsack recently stated that “it is time for America to get very serious about food security and hunger.”

In addition to government efforts, however, we must also work together to address the problem in our own communities. The families, children and individuals that worry about where their next meal will come from, or have to skip a few meals, could live right next door to you. Everyone has a role to play. In this spirit, the Corporation for National and Community Service is launching the United We Serve: Feed a Neighbor initiative this week in collaboration with the White House and USDA. The purpose of the initiative is to raise public awareness of hunger issues and ask Americans to help ensure that their neighbors have access to nutritional food this winter and throughout the year.

There are many ways for Americans from all walks of life to help combat hunger through service. Serve.gov allows visitors to search for local volunteer opportunities. In addition, the USDA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships has prepared a volunteer toolkit in conjunction with the Food and Nutrition Service. This toolkit outlines a wide variety of opportunities and resources that can help ordinary people fight hunger in their communities.

You can access the toolkit online here. As we think about everything we are thankful for this week, let us also remember those who are less fortunate, and do what we can to help end hunger in America.

Permalink  |  Posted: 11:14AM Nov 24, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

USDA Report Monitors Food Security Among U.S. Households

For some Americans, making ends meet is a struggle even in a strong economy. These households at times have difficulty meeting their food needs and can’t always afford enough food to get them through the month, or the week. During economic downturns, these situations become more common and more serious.

Each year since 1995, USDA has monitored the level of food security -- consistent access to adequate food for an active, healthy life. Since 2000, we’ve been authors of the annual report on food security published by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) with the collaboration of the Food and Nutrition Service. Today we released our report covering 2008. It was a year of economic downturn, and we saw the number of U.S. households classified as food insecure reach the highest level recorded since 1995.

In 2008 the number of food-insecure households grew to 17.1 million, or 14.6 percent of all households, up from 11.1 percent the previous year. Among households with children, the percentage increase was larger – from 15.8 percent in 2007 to 21 percent in 2008.

Our numbers include a subset of households that experienced more frequent and severe food insecurity, which we call very low food security. In these households, the food intake of some household members was actually reduced, and normal eating patterns are disrupted. In 2008, these households amounted to 5.7 percent of U.S. households, up from 4.1 percent in 2007.

We’re also seeing the recession reflected in the 2008 expenditures on USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (formerly the Food Stamp Program); at $37.7 billion, expenditures were up 13 percent from the previous year. And we’ve found that for SNAP participants, the prevalence of very low food security rose less in 2008 than among non-participants – suggesting that the food assistance programs provide a buffer against the more severe instances of food insecurity, although they can’t entirely prevent these conditions.

We view the information in the food security report as part of an overall effort to provide access to adequate, healthful food for those who need it. USDA’s food and nutrition assistance programs – programs like SNAP, and the National School Lunch Program - provide the core of the Nation’s nutritional safety net. It’s important for the people who operate these programs – and for our representatives in Congress – to have reliable data on the level of food security and the use of food and nutrition assistance programs both public and private. The information in the yearly food security reports is also used by community food providers and by private organizations that are working to alleviate food insecurity.

The ERS website contains the latest food security report, including a summary. And the December issue of ERS’s Amber Waves magazine contains an article on food security in recessionary times.

Margaret Andrews, Economist, and Mark Nord, Sociologist, USDA Economic Research Service

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:14PM Nov 16, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Wheat Research in Maine Rising to the Challenge

There is nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread. Now image if bread, like wine, was valued for its “terroir” - the idea that the land where the ingredients come from impart a special flavor or essence to the final product. Well that may not be a far fetched idea if you try Borealis Breads up in Portland, Maine. 

Deputy Secretary Merrigan traveled to Portland Friday to announce $19 million in funding to grantees across the country that will address critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects. Ellen Mallory of the University of Maine was one such recipient, receiving over $1.3 million in research funding for the Northern New England Bread Wheat Project.  Ellen, in cooperation with University of Vermont and USDA's Agricultural Research Service, is helping local farmers produce high‐quality organic bread wheat for our region’s millers and bakers.

Maine used to be known as the 'Bread Basket of New England' until the industry collapsed. But Ellen's research is looking to revive that title by putting organic wheat back into production by local farmers. But the story gets even better – the demand for the wheat has increased so much that a local granary, Aurora Mills, opened to process the wheat into flour. This resulted in new jobs and a 2nd granary is in the works, even more jobs based on local production.

Taking the story one step further in the creation of a local/regional food system, Jim Amaral, proprietor of Borealis Breads is using the homegrown wheat in his breads.  Why? Well Jim lays it out pretty clearly: breads made with Maine grain are better in quality and taste. Jim goes on to explain it is more than just better bread, it is more jobs and more business local opportunities. With over 100,000 breads made last year, Borealis is now expanding operation and Jim is confident that “100 years from now, Mainers will be eating breads made from local grain.” If there is a better example of the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative in action, we would like to see it.

Maine Public Broadcasting Network covered the event; listen to the broadcast here. 

Permalink  |  Posted: 11:13AM Nov 02, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Enjoy Your Garden Year-Round: Try Home Canning

This year, USDA has been encouraging folks to try local food production and consumption. The People’s Garden has been an excellent example in connecting people to where their food comes from. And many of you followed suit, planting gardens of your own.

This autumn, we hope you have reaped the benefits of your garden. But did you know that you can continue to enjoy your fresh fruits and vegetables all year long? Home canning is a great way to preserve the food you’ve grown and produced.

USDA wants to make sure you are able to can and store your garden harvests in a safe and healthy manner. The USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning has been updated to reflect the most current canning techniques. The book discusses canning equipment, ingredients and procedures and how to use them to achieve safe, high-quality canned products. It includes hundreds of canning recipes for fruits, tomatoes, vegetables, red meats, poultry, seafoods and pickles and relishes. This guide is available for purchase from Purdue University Extension by calling 1-888-EXT-INFO or you can download a pdf copy online.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has also funded the National Center for Home Food Preservation at the University of Georgia. This center was established to address food safety concerns for those who practice and teach home food preservation and processing methods. Publications and resources are available from the center, and their Web site has useful home canning seasonal tips to ensure you use proper techniques.

Home gardens are a great way to produce healthy, nutritious foods. But healthy eating isn’t just something we can do when local fruits and vegetables are in season. With these resources, you can get the nutrients you need all year round to lead a healthy life.

Permalink  |  Posted: 11:32AM Oct 30, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]