The President is deeply committed to ensuring that all Americans -- especially children – have access to a healthy diet, whether at home, at school, or when they face hard times. 1

America’s Nutrition Safety Net  SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): over 45 million participants  In 2010, SNAP helped lift 3.9 million Americans – including 3.9 million children - out of poverty  Half of all new SNAP participants leave the program within eight months  Only 8 percent of households in SNAP today receive cash welfare from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program  WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children): over 9 million each month & nearly half of all babies in the US  National School Lunch Program: 32 million students each school day 2

Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act  The President signed in December 2010  Increases fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy  Increases performance-based funding—first time in 30 years!  Additional 6 cents per lunch for schools that meet new standards.  Expands “afterschool supper” program to 50 states 3

Why MyPlate? Healthy Eating Comes Down to the Choices We Make We wanted to replace MyPyramid with something that could be more easily used by everyone from the general public to those in the medical community. MyPlate is a simple reminder to make healthy food choices. Looks just like our plate at mealtime. Reminds us to make fruits and vegetable half of our plates each meal. On the other side of the plate – and in our cup – it shows the other important food groups for a healthy meal: whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy. 4

Food Desert Locator: Food Atlas:

USDA Programs Farmers Market Promotion Program Community Food Projects Grant Program Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program Specialty Crop Block Grants Federal State Marketing Improvement Program Rural Development Programs: Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program Business & Industry Loan Guarantee Program Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program Value Added Producer Grants Hunger Free Communities Grants 6

With 2009 funding from the Farmers Market Promotion Program, Adelente Mujeres in Forest Grove, OR is helping Latino and New immigrant farmers access land and markets Farmers Market Promotion Program

“Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” Compass 03/13/2012 Includes an interactive map of USDA-supported local and regional food activities in all 50 states An online multi-media narrative with stories, pictures and video about USDA’s support for local and regional food systems

Participants in the Ohio State BEAN project learn about developing small farmer enterprises, including using hoophouses for growing crops Beginning Farmers & Ranchers Program

 15,000 member food co-op with four retail store locations in New Mexico - with locations in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Gallop  In 2006, invested $150,000 in a renovating a warehouse and leasing trucks to assist regional growers with distribution and wholesale market coordination La Montanita Co-op Food Market & Food Hub

For more information on USDA, Treasury, and HHS programs:

Website Resources  Increasing Access to Healthy, Affordable Food  USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs  HealthierUS school Challenge  Know Your Farmer  Rural Development Programs  Find A Farmers’ Market 12