Issue Position: Food and Nutrition

Issue Position

As a Member of Congress, I consider it one of my top priorities to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens do not go hungry. This means standing up for food and nutrition programs that assist millions of low- and middle-income families, which many in Congress continually attempt to cut. Given the rising cost of food and pervasive unemployment, such cuts come at a particularly bad time for thousands of low-income seniors and children throughout the State of Indiana.

Protecting CHILDREN FROM GOING HUNGRY

Across the country, millions of children receive their only nutritious meals at school, through school breakfast and lunch programs. In an effort to help these children obtain the nutrition they need to be healthy, active and successful, I have supported several pieces of legislation that expand funding for these and other programs that provide healthier meals to low-income children. These investments in child nutrition are especially important given evidence that hunger can be an enormous barrier to learning.

I will continue to support legislation that helps schools, non-profits and other entities to provide nutritious meals to children. We cannot allow calls to reduce the deficit to leave our children hungry.

Improving Access to Nutritious Foods

Obesity remains one of the most pressing public health concerns in America today. Far too many communities in Indianapolis have limited access to affordable and nutritious food--the absence of which can exacerbate a wide range of health, learning and behavioral problems. Many in these communities, known as food deserts, rely on fast food restaurants and convenience stores--increasing the incidence of obesity, child hunger and learning problems.

To reduce obesity, I have offered my strong support for the Farmers Market Promotion Program and other legislation that would promote community based agriculture, such as urban farms and community gardens. Around the country, these have been shown to not only increase access to healthy food but also build interest in healthy lifestyles. This is especially important among for low-income and elderly Americans who often cannot afford food at supermarkets.

I believe that all Americans deserve access to the nutritious food they need to live healthy productive lives.

Encouraging Physical Fitness

Today, obesity rates are dangerously high and continue to rise, with over 30% of adults and 20% of children considered obese. Studies have shown that obesity results in rising health care costs for many families, reduced productivity at work and less effective learning at school. Promotion of exercise and physical activity has never been a more important public policy.

I have been a strong supporter of First Lady Obama's Let's Move campaign to encourage exercise among young people and continue to advocate in Congress for legislation that promotes scientifically based physical fitness guidelines for all Americans. Physical fitness and exercise are critical to the health and well-being of all Americans, making it among my top priorities in Congress.

Source