March 4, 2009 -- Dr. Katie Wilson, SNS, president of the School Nutrition Association, testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry today.  Wilson testified on the first panel during the hearing entitled “Improving Nutrition for America’s Children in Difficult Economic Times.”  The other individuals testifying included:

• Dr. Susan Bartlett – Senior Researcher, Abt Associates, Cambridge, MA
• Connie Boldt – School Food Director, Knoxville Community School District, Knoxville, IA
• Dr. David Paige – Professor, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, MD
• Kenneth Hecht – Executive Director, California Food Policy Advocates, Oakland, CA
• Lucy Nolan – Executive Director, End Hunger Connecticut, Hartford, CT

In her testimony, Dr. Wilson discussed the need for increased funding for the school nutrition programs.  She noted that many families who are struggling financially are turning to the child nutrition programs.  Despite increased participation, the school nutrition programs are not adequately funded.  Dr. Wilson also discussed how indirect costs charged by school districts are creating financial difficulties for the school nutrition programs.  The need for national nutrition standards was also a key part of Dr. Wilson’s testimony.  Dr. Wilson asked Congress to implement a consistent, national nutrition standard for all foods and beverages sold in schools based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

For more information, please see the links below.

Related Links

Dr. Katie Wilson’s Testimony

Webcast of Committee Hearing March 4, 2009 

Testimony of all witness 

School Lunches Strained by Recession, Farm Panel Told

U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry