Lisa J. Pino Deputy Administrator Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Food and Nutrition Services USDA May 2011

1. Obesity and Nutrition Issues Facing the Latino Community Lisa J. Pino Deputy Administrator Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Food and Nutrition Services USDA May 2011 Latino Presentation May 2011

2. America’s Safety Net • 1 in every 4 Americans each year • FNS represents more than 60% of USDA’s budget authority: • FY2010 Budget: $93.6 billion (including ARRA) • FY2011 Budget: $104.6 billion (including ARRA) • FY 2012 Budget: $111.8 billion (including ARRA) • FNS Priorities • Ending Childhood Hunger 2015 • Combat Obesity • Safety Net for millions of Americans, especially Children Latino Presentation May 2011

3. Our Challenges • Food Insecure 14.7% • 17.4 million households • Low Food Security 9% • 10.4 million households • Very Low Food Security 5.7% • 6.8 million households FoodInsecure 14.7% Low Food Security 9.0% Food Secure 85.3% Very Low Food Security 5.7% Source: Calculated by ERS using data from the December 2009 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement Latino Presentation May 2011

4. Our Challenges – Latinos • Food Insecure 26.9% • 3.6 million households • Low Food Security 17.6% • 2.4 million households • Very Low Food Security 9.3% • 1.3 million households Source: Calculated by ERS using data from the December 2009 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement Latino Presentation May 2011

5. FNS Nutrition Programs Latino Presentation May 2011

6. Income and Citizenship Requirements Latino Presentation May 2011

7. Immigrant Eligibility in SNAP • Participating in SNAP will NOT affect immigration status. It does not make a person a so called “public charge.” • SNAP is the only FNS program with a citizenship requirement. • Who is eligible: • 1. U.S. citizens (including naturalized citizens) • 2. Most legal immigrants who have lived in the country for five years or are receiving disability-related assistance or benefits, or are children. • 3. Certain non-citizens such as those admitted for humanitarian reasons and those admitted for permanent residence. Eligible household members can get SNAP benefits even if there are other members of the household that are not eligible. • Non-citizens that are in the U.S. temporarily, such as students, are not eligible.  A number of States have their own programs to provide benefits to immigrants who do not meet the regular SNAP eligibility requirements.  Latino Presentation May 2011

8. Latino Participation in USDA Nutrition Programs Participation Rates in SNAP (of those eligible) National Average 66% (FY08) Latinos 56% (FY06) 42.1 % of WIC participants are Hispanic/Latino (FY08) Barriers New Strategies Latino Presentation May 2011

9. Obesity & Overweight Epidemic • Obesity vs. Overweight • In the last 30 years: • Adult obesity rates have doubled • Childhood obesity rates have tripled • Health consequences and costs Latino Presentation May 2011

10. Obesity & Overweight in Latinos • The incidence of obesity and overweight in the Hispanic community is higher than that of the population in general: • In 2007: • 59.5% of non-Hispanics or Latinos were obese or overweight, while • Over 67% of Hispanics or Latinos were obese or overweight. • Obesity rates by race: • 32.4% of Non-Hispanics Whites • 38.7 % of Hispanics • 44.1% of African-Americans Latino Presentation May 2011

11. Solutions and Initiatives • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) • 43.6 million (average October-December 2010) and rising each month • Over half are Children • Local Economic Benefits ($5.00 in new SNAP benefits generates as much as $9.00 in total community spending) • Approximately 16% of participants identified themselves as Hispanic (~7 million) • School Meals & Child Nutrition Reauthorization • Higher nutrition standards • Reimbursement Rates • 31.8 million students served each day (NSLP) • 17.6 million meals served are Free Meals • 3.0 million meals served are Reduced-Price Meals Latino Presentation May 2011

12. Solutions and Initiatives • Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2) • USDA-wide initiative to connect farmers to consumers • Farm to School (F2S) • Connect schools to local food producers • Enable food producers to service local schools • Facilitate communication Latino Presentation May 2011

13. Solutions and Initiatives WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) *The New Farm Bill provides $20.6 million annually to operate the SFMNP through 2012 Latino Presentation May 2011

14. Solutions and InitiativesSNAP Farmers' Markets Latino Presentation May 2011

15. Solutions and Initiatives • Ending Childhood Hunger 2015 • We Need Your Help and Your Ideas • Fighting Obesity • Child Nutrition Reauthorization • First Lady’s Childhood Obesity Plan – Let’s Move! • Healthier US Schools Challenge • Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (elementary schools) • Tools and Resources • Chefs Move to Schools Latino Presentation May 2011

16. Outreach to Latinos in SNAP • The number one reason people do not participate in SNAP is that they do not realize they are eligible. • FNS Outreach Strategies to reach Latinos: • 1. Free outreach materials available in Spanish. • 2. Worked with promotoras to develop a curriculum to train promotoras to reach out to their communities with information about the nutrition benefits of SNAP. • 3. Each year, FNS uses radio advertising, in English and Spanish, to reach low income people in areas of low participation. • 4. 30 States have have targeted outreach efforts to increase SNAP participation among the Latino community. Latino Presentation May 2011

17. Outreach to Latinos in SNAP 5. In the most recent round of outreach grants awarded by FNS, nine projects will focus on increasing participation among Latinos. 6. Outreach efforts through FNS National Partnerships are being developed and targeted in States with High Latino Communities – Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. 7. Since 2004 the U.S.-Mexico Partnership for Nutrition Assistance has utilized the community network of the Mexican Embassy in the U.S. and approximately 50 Mexican consulates nationwide to improve access to nutrition assistance programs for Hispanics who may be unaware of their potential eligibility.  Latino Presentation May 2011

18. Partner With USDA FNS • Why and How to Partner • Help Increase our Reach • Learn about Federal Funding • Conferences and Workshops • Webinars • Get more information at www.fns.usda.gov • Contact: partnerships@fns.usda.gov • Contact Me : Lisa.Pino@fns.usda.gov Latino Presentation May 2011

19. Getting Additional Program Information • For all FNS program information go to: www.fns.usda.gov • For SNAP specific information call: • 1-800-221-5689 Latino Presentation May 2011

20. www.fns.usda.gov Click “Contact Us” and then “Child Nutrition Programs” to find the list of State Agencies administering CACFP, NSLP and SFSP Latino Presentation May 2011

21. What Legacy Will We Leave? • What unique challenges will our generation face? • What tools will we have at our disposal? • What lessons can we learn from previous generations? • What can we do today, together, to prepare us to lead? Latino Presentation May 2011