We are disappointed that the United States Department of Agriculture has proposed a new rule that, if enacted, would roll back school nutrition standards established in 2012. The proposed rule would allow schools to serve fewer fruits and whole grains, reduce the variety of vegetables and offer less healthy entrees. The USDA’s own research has shown that the 2012 nutrition standards improved student diets and increased student participation in school meals.
KC Healthy Kids, the Greater KC Food Policy Coalition and many of our partners opposed a public charge rule change that would make it challenging for some immigrants to access nutrition, health care and housing assistance. Despite an outpouring of opposition from the public and several legal challenges, the rule change went into effect today. We believe the rule change will seriously harm the health and well being of immigrants and their communities. Keep reading to learn more about public charge, who is affected and how you can take action.
Update 5/23/2022: Kansas Food Action Network is the statewide network for food and farm councils, formerly known as Kansas Alliance for Wellness. KC Healthy Kids and the American Heart Association are thrilled to jointly announce a new chapter in food systems work in Kansas. The association has coordinated the Kansas Alliance for Wellness since its inception in 2013, working with coalitions and food and farm councils across the state to improve the health of Kansans. Effective January 1, 2020 the American Heart Association will pass the torch to KC Healthy Kids, which will become the new coordinating organization for the Kansas Alliance for Wellness. Here’s what each agency wants you to know about this transition: We at the American Heart Association have truly enjoyed working with KAW partners and food and farm councils, and have learned alongside you. We’ve realized that the work to transform our food system is much broader than just health policy—it includes agricultural policies, land use policies, institutional purchasing policies, economic development and more. That’s why we searched for an organization with proven advocacy expertise in all of the policy areas that food systems touch so that you can continue to make progress. KC Healthy Kids is just that organization! They partner with communities and organizations to advance policies and environmental changes that improve access to affordable, fresh food and safe places to walk and play. In 2007 they began collaborating with farmers, consumers, health advocates, funders and numerous community groups to establish what would become the Greater KC Food Policy Coalition, and they have continued to do groundbreaking work in food systems policy at the local and state level. Again, it’s been a real joy getting to work with you all to improve the health of our Kansas communities Here at KC Healthy Kids, we’re eager to learn more about your goals and needs, and to share our experience and resources to support that work. Over the past 15 years, we’ve helped shape local policies to support farmers markets, community gardens and grocery access, and state policies related to food security, local sourcing and the state sales tax on food. On a national level, we’ve rallied advocates to speak out for policies within the Farm Bill and Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation that will benefit our communities. And now we can’t wait to get started working with you! FAQs about Kansas Alliance for Wellness 2020 Transition
Small actions like calling, clicking or attending an event make a big impact on our efforts to see that all people in greater Kansas City will have access to healthy affordable food that nourishes individuals, communities, the local economy and the environment. Here’s what you can do!
Five artists were commissioned in 2019 to lift up the voices of people in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri who are speaking out against racial and economic inequities associated with nutrition assistance programs.
The Art for KC Voices collection lifts up the voices of residents in low-income, racially diverse neighborhoods in bi-state Kansas City, illustrating stories about how food policies such as the Farm Bill and Child Nutrition Act shape our communities, our opportunities and our plates. Partners include Community Health Council of Wyandotte County, Health Forward Foundation, Historic Northeast-Midtown Association, KC Healthy Kids and UMKC’s Center for Neighborhoods, with funding provided by Health Forward Foundation and Convergence Partnership. Contact Heather Winslow Gibbons Creative Director, KC Healthy Kids 816.523.5353 | Direct 816.679.1460 hwgibbons@kchealthykids.org @kchealthykids | www.kchealthykids.org The Child Nutrition Act is a federal law that sets policies and funds programs that help all children have access to nutritious foods. Programs include WIC, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program and more. Congress reviews and reauthorizes the act every five years and work is now underway to pass a new bill.
Glenn North and Chico Sierra have been selected to create artwork for KC Voices, a collaborative effort to involve residents and stakeholders in low-income, racially diverse neighborhoods in KCK and KCMO in sharing stories and information about how food policies shape our community, our opportunities and our plates. The collaborative addresses SNAP, WIC, school food and other programs contained in the Child Nutrition Reauthorization and 2018 Farm Bill.
Help protect SNAP benefits for millions of Americans! On July 23, the USDA announced a proposed rule change for SNAP (food stamps) which they estimate would cause 3.1 million Americans to lose benefits.
A new case study from KC Healthy Kids and Public Health Law Center outlines how incubator kitchens can help entrepreneurs grow their food-based businesses.
Over the past few years, we worked long and hard with legislators and advocates across Missouri to bring the Missouri Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program back to the state. (It was already in place in Kansas) This announcement with details about the program gives us another opportunity to celebrate!
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