Senate Highlights USDA School Feeding Programs
On Wednesday, September 18, Constitution Partners had the privilege of assisting Mrs. Kay Swartz Rentzel as she testified before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee of Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research. Mrs. Rentzel wears many hats including Chair of USDA's Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee and Executive Director of the Southeastern Food Processors Association, National Peach Council, and U.S. Sweet Potato Council.
Other witnesses at Wednesday's hearing included:
Ms. Crystal FitzSimons, Interim President of the Food and Research Action Center
The Honorable Russell Redding, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Ms. E Nicole Taylor, Director of Food and Nutrition for Chichester School District
Dr. Meg Bruening, Professor and Head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University
In her testimony, Mrs. Rentzel emphasized the importance of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). These programs, as she noted, go far beyond merely providing meals; they are instrumental in addressing food insecurity, particularly in the face of troubling statistics. She cited data from USDA, highlighting a concerning increase in food insecurity among children from 13% in 2021 to 19% in 2022, meaning millions more children now struggle to access nutritious food. These programs are essential for alleviating hunger and fostering healthier eating habits that can benefit future generations and communities nationwide.
Mrs. Rentzel also made a compelling case for the inclusion of more American-grown fruits and vegetables in school meals. She stressed the vital role these foods play in supporting both the nutritional needs of American children and the economic stability of local farmers. By prioritizing domestic produce, we can reduce reliance on foreign imports, which often come with trade-offs in quality, nutrition, and perishability. Mrs. Rentzel underscored that supporting local growers and processors—who can deliver fresh, canned, and frozen produce within hours of harvest—offers students the safest and most nutritious food available.
Senators in Attendance
While Subcommittee Chair Fetterman (D-PA) and Ranking Member Braun (R-IN) were present for almost the entire hearing, it was surprising that only half of the other Subcommittee Members were in attendance. Members who joined the hearing for a few quick questions included Sens. Klobuchar (D-MN), Booker (D-NJ), and Warnock (D-GA). Full Agriculture Committee Chair Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Boozman (R-AR) also popped by to thank the panel for their time and hear a bit of their testimony.
In conclusion, Mrs. Rentzel's testimony was a vital contribution to the ongoing discussions surrounding American agriculture and school nutrition programs. She effectively connected the health of American children to the health of the nation’s agricultural sector, making a powerful case for stronger support of domestic food production through the "Buy American" provisions.