Texas Hunger Research Project

Child Food Insecurity Linked to Poor Mental Health Outcomes in Teens

donovan — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:18:31 +0000

Even after accounting for the effects of poverty on mental health, the fear of going hungry was linked to higher odds of an adolescent having a mental health disorder including mood, anxiety, behavioral, and substance disorders. Click to read more.

Still No Movement on Farm Bill or Fiscal Cliff Negotiations: Many Health and Nutrition Programs at Risk

donovan — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:38:59 +0000

The fiscal cliff negotiations and the reauthorization of the Farm Bill are two separate policy issues that may get merged in the final weeks weeks of 2012. Both issues pose significant threats to a variety of nutrition and health-related agencies and programs. The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) outlines the possible impacts of across the board cuts and the various moving parts that are at play. Click to read more.

USDA Loosens School Meal Guidelines to Accommodate Feedback From Schools and Policymakers

donovan — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:25:37 +0000

USDA officials announced yesterday that they are eliminating the weekly limits on meats and grains in the National School Lunch Program guidelines that were implemented this school year. The change comes in response to concerns from school administrators and policymakers. Click to read more.

Number of SNAP Participants is Reflection of Ongoing Economic Problems, Slow Recovery

donovan — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:48:46 +0000

Urban Institute blogger, Julia Isaacs, commented on the rhetoric about food stamps in the Presidential election and real factors that drive trends in SNAP enrollment. Click to read.

Farm Bill Cuts Would Hurt Central Texas Families

donovan — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:46:44 +0000

Kathy Green, from the Capital Area Food Bank, discusses the importance of SNAP in protecting vulnerable Texans and the threat posed by the Farm Bill debates. Click to read.

USDA Study Finds that Most Americans’ Diets Are Not Meeting Recommended Standards; Some Groups Worse Off Than Others

donovan — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:50:39 +0000

A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that while most Americans’ diets are not meeting the recommended USDA standards, some demographic groups are getting closer to meeting the standard than others. Hispanics and the elderly had higher scores on the nutrition scale developed by USDA than children and adults. Also, low income children had higher scores in particular food groups, such as fruits and vegetables, than wealthier children. This result may be attributable to the federal school meals programs available. Click to read more.

Texas School Districts See Rise in Students Receiving Free and Reduced-Price Meals

donovan — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:36:41 +0000

With a high rate of food insecurity in the state, many families rely on the school meals program to provide free or reduced-price to children during the school day. Many children are able to receive breakfast, lunch, snacks, and even supper through the federally funded meal programs. Click to read more.

Lufkin commended for increased participation in student nutrition program

thowfeek — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:57:39 +0000

“The Texas Hunger Initiative (THI) recently released its 2012 Breakfast Report Card, revealing that Lufkin ISD has met its goal of 60 percent of eligible student participation, with a 20 percent increase in eligible student participation in the last three years.”

Agriculture Secretary Stresses Importance of Protecting SNAP in Farm Bill Negotiations

donovan — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:36:19 +0000

Tom Vilsack, Secretary of USDA, declined to state an “acceptable limit” to cuts on SNAP and stated that the mission of USDA is to ensure that programs like SNAP are not undermined in the negotiations processes. Click to read article.

Texans Care for Children Releases “Curbing Hunger Toolkit”

donovan — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:29:46 +0000

Texans Care for Children is a state advocacy organization that has been serving as a voice for Texas children for over 25 years. Today, they released the “Curbing Hunger Challenge Toolkit” which walks through how to educate policymakers about the reality of childhood hunger, food deserts, and poverty. Click to check it out on our research and publications page under the Food Insecurity tab.