USDA – New Jetpack Site

What we know about USDA cuts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently cut over $1 billion in funding for two programs: the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. These programs were designed to help schools and food banks purchase food from local farms and ranchers. The decision to end these programs is part of a broader effort to reduce federal spending, although it has been noted that these programs were expanded under the Biden administration to support local food systems and were established using executive authority. Unfortunately, the current administration has different views.

Impact on Title I Schools

Title I schools, which have high populations of low-income students, will likely face significant challenges due to these funding cuts. These schools rely heavily on federal support to provide essential services, including nutrition programs. The elimination of funding for local food purchases could exacerbate difficulties in providing nutritious meals, as schools may struggle to maintain current food quality and variety without the financial assistance to buy from local suppliers.

Importance of School Meals for Low-Income Students

School meals, including breakfast and lunch, are crucial for the academic success and well-being of low-income students. Research indicates that students who eat breakfast at school perform better academically and have fewer behavioral issues compared to those who skip breakfast5. Similarly, participation in school lunch programs improves academic performance and reduces food insecurity, which is particularly important for students from low-income households.

Benefits of School Meals:

Improved Academic Performance: Students who eat breakfast and lunch at school tend to perform better on standardized tests and have better attendance records.

Reduced Food Insecurity: School meals help ensure that children receive the nutrition they need, reducing the likelihood of food insecurity and related health issues.

Better Dietary Intake: School meals provide essential nutrients and promote healthier eating habits compared to meals brought from home.

The cliffnotes

USDA’s decision to cut funding for local food programs will likely have a detrimental impact on Title I schools, which serve a high proportion of low-income students. These students rely on school meals as a vital source of nutrition, and any reduction in meal quality or availability could have significant consequences for their academic success and overall well-being.

Steps to Take

Contact Your Representatives: Reach out to your local and national representatives in Congress. Express your concerns about the cuts and advocate for continued support for school meal programs. You can find contact information for your representatives on the official U.S. House of Representatives and Senate websites.

Join Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the School Nutrition Association (SNA) are actively advocating against these cuts. Participating in their efforts or supporting similar groups can amplify your voice. The SNA is organizing nationwide advocacy, including letters and calls to Congress.

Organizations like the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) often work on issues related to food security and nutrition program.

Engage in Public Awareness: Raise awareness about the importance of school meals through social media, local newspapers, and community events. Highlighting the benefits of these programs can build public support.

That's me at the State of the Union — That’s me at the State of the Union

I went back to school today after being in Washington, DC for the last three days. I need to write a paper about my experience but I thought I’d try and tell a little bit on my blog first.

As you probably know, I had the honor of going to President Obama’s last State of the Union address. Why? Well because the First Lady Michelle Obama asked me to be her guest. I know! It was a really big surprise and I was very excited, I’m still very excited. It all happened so fast and to be honest with you I’m still trying to really think about it all.

At the White House in the room with the big Abraham Lincoln painting.

There have been so many people who have started to follow me on social media and also here on my blog. I even got some emails from people. Most people have been so nice about everything. A lot of people have said they are inspired by what I am doing and they think I’m a special person. I have been called a hunger activist and a hunger warrior. Some people have said they felt bad because I looked so tired on TV at the State of the Union and I was, I mean I was very tired, but I was also very happy to be there. And what you didn’t get to see is that after the address I got to go in a different room and meet with the President. He shook my hand and he asked how the foundation is doing. The President and the First Lady both said they were inspired by me. I think that is very surprising. I mean I am proud of myself but I am really proud of them I really think they are great people and I am so happy I got to go to the White House again and got to go to the State of the Union.

I'm bottom right next to Mrs. Edith — I’m bottom right next to Mrs. Edith Childs

Some of the speech I didn’t really understand but there was also part where the President talked about how the US went to the moon. My Mom has said this to me before, she has said that people didn’t always believe they could go to the moon and they thought it was crazy. But then we did, we did go to the moon, we walked on the moon. I think he President was trying to say that impossible things are very possible. But I think he was also saying we need to believe in ourselves and in each other and work together. And I do that, all of us who volunteer with Brae’s Brown Bags or with other advocacy things we all do that every day. We just need more people to stand up for each other and be there for each other. We have to work together as a family and family doesn’t just have to be your Mom or your Dad it can be your friends and your neighbors. And I think he talked about equality. Because he says that everyone should be able to get a good education and have good health care and that everyone should feel they are heard.

Other really nice people I got to meet were Secretary Tom Vilsack who gave me his challenge coin and talked with me about Brae’s Brown Bags and told me about he started working with the USDA. Under Secretary Kevin Concannon who talked with me about the hunger conference I co-hosted. He had been a speaker at it but he never got to see the kid part of the conference so I filled him in. And also Senator Tom Carper who told me all about being in the Navy and his family and his favorite sandwich and even chickens. Did you know Sussex County in Delaware grows the most chickens in the whole country? He took me over to the Capitol Building and I got to eat lunch there. All of the staff at all of these places were super nice and welcoming.

And then a show called The Daily Show kind of made fun of the State of the Union because I guess that is what they do. I don’t really get it BUT they called me Senator Kid and when my Mom showed me a picture it was pretty funny. I admit it, I laughed. It was pretty funny to see him dance and sing Senator Kid with my tired face on the screen. Ohhhhh the stories I will be able to tell someday.

And I really like Washington, DC. It is fun. I like to walk places and you don’t really get a chance to do that in Delaware. I think I might move there someday.

For now, I’m going to finish playing an Xbox game with my brother and then go to bed, I have school in the morning.