Stimulus provisions possible first step towards ending child hunger

In a panel discussion today at the Center for American Progress, author Joel Berg (his book: “All You Can Eat? How Hungry is America in Good Times versus Recession”) spoke on the issue of hunger and nutrition in America. He cited statistics: 36.2 million American families cannot afford food, and are forced to choose between food and rent or food and medicine. Food Research and Action Center President, Jim Weill, called this situation, in a nation as wealthy as the United States, “morally bankrupt.”

Weill pointed out that during his campaign, President Obama released a paper dedicated to ending child hunger in the U.S. by 2015. “A paper is a position, not a prescription,” he stated. “The stimulus is a step assuming it passes,” he noted, while emphasizing that much work still needs to be done.

The panel agreed that a comprehensive child nutrition program needs to provide free breakfast to all students. “School breakfast is like a magic wand for schools and for kids,” said Weill. It has been shown that providing breakfast results in students doing better on tests, visiting the nurse less, and many other benefits.

Berg concluded that the solution to hunger has three essential parts: nutrition education, availability of health food, and affordability. He stated confidence that if these issues are addressed properly, the problem can be resolved quickly.