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Vilsack says food security report “wake-up call”

More Americans are struggling with not having enough food to eat. The USDA’s latest report shows the highest rate of food insecurity since reporting began nearly 15 years ago. The Economic Research Service study shows that during 2008, 17 million U.S. households – that’s 49 million people – were food insecure and families had difficulty putting enough food on the table at times during that year. It’s an increase of four-million households from 2007. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says well over a million children are included in that number, “I think this report suggests that it is time for America to get very serious about food security and hunger, about nutrition and about food safety. This together with several other reports that have been issued in the last couple of weeks by USDA are a wake-up call for America.”

Vilsack says it’s time to build on what’s already been done – he says not only has the Recovery Act provided more nutrition assistance benefits – it’s geared toward long-term job creation. Vilsack says his message before the Senate Ag Committee (Tuesday) will be, “Our best has not been good enough.”  The committee takes up the extended reauthorization of nutrition programs at schools.

USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) Food Security Report

AUDIO: Conference call on USDA ERS 2008 Food Security report, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, ERS lead author Mark Nord, Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Ken Concannon (43:00 min., MP3)

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