To be true. Just a clarification. This idea talking points. One of the reasons why some of these things may occur as arguments again and again is that theyre actually right. Okay . There are many people that are saying these things. Theyre not using them as talking points. And this is a possibility to consider the same arguments are made generally with other groups there. Theyre well trodden paths. The second thing is i really think its a little disingeneralous to say you have nothing against genetically modified organism its they were tested enough. I heard the same thing with environmentalism and stuff. Actually, not you personally necessarily, but everything is being done to prevent the kinds of testing that you would require in order to certify that something is safe. It is absolutely impossible to prove that something is safe. You can show that you cant see any damage from it given the kinds of test thats are done. You cannot make that proof. In fact, whether field trials are ripped out by activists, when its made very, very expensive and difficult to do testing and to experiment with these things, its it sounds good to say we love it. But its not quite ready. When actually you know i didnt say i love it. You heard it. We accept it. But its not quite ready. That is an endless path that it will never get there. And so its a very high ground to take. But the reality is that world is racing forward and we cant stop. All sorts of things are being introduced that very normous implications for us. We do the best we k wisdom and knowledge is purchased at some cost. First of all, i want to thank everybody for being here and for being so involved. I didnt see anybody nodding off, any winking out. So you were very good audience. Especially i want to thank the speakers for expertise and their passion. I think it has been an extraordinarily good program. Its been a pref ledivilege to here. 2015 cspan student cam competition is under way. Open to all students to create a five to seven minute documentary on the theme the three branches and you showing how a policy, law or action produce by the government has affected you or your community. There are 200 cash prizes for students and teachers totaling 100,000 for the list of rules and how to get started go, to studentcam. Org. Be part of cspans campaign 2014 coverage. Follow us on twitter and like us on facebook to get debate schedules, video clips of key moments, debate previews from our politics team, cspan is bringing you over 100 snats house and governor debates and can you instantly share your reactions to what the candidates are saying. The battle for control of congress, stay in touch and engage by following us on twitter at cspan and liking us on facebook at facebook. Com cspan. According to the centers for disease control, Childhood Obesity more than doubled in children and quadrupled in add less nens the past 30 years. The Senate Agriculture nutrition and Forestry Committee held a hearing looking at School Meal Programs across the u. S. And they examined ways to strengthen the programs to serve healthier food items to schoolchildr schoolchildren. We heard testimony from School Nutrition experts including the president elect of the School Nutrition association. To discuss the purchasing, procurement and preparation of school meals. This is just over two hours. Well good morning. We are very excited about this hearing. And welcome to each of you for coming. I do have to begin by saying we were saying back in the room i think we want to do a hearing on School Nutrition every week because weve been given a lot of great food this morning. Were going to make this a weekly effort. So i know that senator leahy intends to come. He brought in some pumpkin squares that we have from the school menu in vermont. And ive tasted one. Its absolutely delicious. And from bob casey, we have mushroom and meat bars. These are also great. 50 mushroom, auto meat. I feel like im on the food channel right now. But these are also excellent. We thank senator casey who will be joining us. And we also have, and i think Salt Lake City is going to talk to us about what a half cup looks like, right . So you brought that for us. We have apple slices. So were leer for the duration. We can last a while this morning. And not to offend my wonderful cafeteria folks when i was growing up, but we didnt eat like this when i was in school. So this is very Delicious Food this morning. So we are very appreciative of everyone being here for our second hearing on child nutrition and to be able to talk to those in the trenches working hard to make things happen in the right way for our children. Let me just start by saying what we all know that, according to the center for disease control, obesity in Young Children has more than doubled in the last 30 years. Thats why this discussion is so important. And its grown more than four time higher for teenagers in the same time frame. So thats why we are involved. Thats why we care. Thats why there is a priority. And it means today more than 1 out of 3 children is either overweight or obese. And as a country, we spend one out of every five Health Care Dollars treating obesity related illnesses every year. And our first hearing on this issue, we heard jarring testimony from a military general, 7 a of our youth cannot qualify for military service. 75 . So if we can turn a corner in this country by Offering Health qui food choices in schools and by teaching Healthy Eating habls, well not only improve the health of our children, but our countrys long Term Economic and National Security as well. Today well examine the way School Food Service directors, farmers, school administrators, professionals, parents, Community Leaders are meeting the needs of our children every day by working together to serve healthy meals. You know, we all heard the jokes about school meals and certainly growing up the burnt fish sticks and mystery meat tacos and cafeterias full of deep fryers. I know from visiting schools that those are gone in detroit. And those days i know are over. I had the opportunity to visit many schools all across michigan. And ive been very impressed to see Elementary Schools enjoying broccoli and pineapple from salad bars and Students Learning about where their food comes from through form arm to School Garden effortses that are really exciting. The really good news is this isnt just happening in michigan but schools all across the country. Were seeing schools installing salad bars and serving turkey hamburgers and vegetables and whole grains. Schools are encouraging children to eat healthier by showing them that healthy can taste good, too. In some cases, the students are not only enjoying the food at school, theyre beginning to ask for it at home. And ive talked to local grossers who on different days have said they ran out of different vegetables or fruits and couldnt figure out what was going on and discovered that was the day it was being going on and figured out that was the day it was served at cool a school and the kids were going home and asking for it at night. We can only make important changes if our friends and partners in the food industry, nonprofit organizations, agriculture, state and federal agencies, cafeterias, classrooms, all work together. Today well hear how psychologies are providing these fundamental foundational meals every day, like ingredients in many of the meals schools serve, the work each of our witnesses does represents a key ingredient. As we know, this is not an easy task. But the goal of reducing childhood hunger and obesity is too important to reverse course now. Instead, were looking forward at how we can work together. Today well examine some of the challenges schools face in providing access to Healthy Foods and most importantly what solutions are there to address many of these concerns. So thank you again. I want to turn now to my distinguished Ranking Member and friend senator cochran for his opening row maremarks. Thank you very much, madam chairman. We appreciate all those in attendance today and are pleased that we have two witnesses on our panel from mississippi to discuss the programs, school eating programs and other programs that are related to our interest in federal support for good programs that increase efficiency and provide benefits for nutrition and physical soundness that we need in our country. I think we can continue to improve on the federal role and this hearing also has that purpose. Comment and suggestions from our witnesses about ways to improve these programs are welcomed and encouraged. We think there should be local flexibility to accommodate common sense concerns from the administrators at the local level and any suggestions for changes in the federal legislation, underlying legislation supporting these programs is welcome and we appreciate your participation with us in this endeavor. Thank you. Thank you very much. And i now senator cochran, you have, as you indicated, two distinguished representatives from mississippi here. So were going to introduce our members. And certainly, if you want to, at the appropriate point, to introduce your members, your guests, we certainly want you to do that. And, of course, as always, our members welcome to put Opening Statements into the record, but well proceed now with the testimony. Very pleased to interdoes our first witness on this panel, ms. Betti wiggins the director of the schools who provides meals to 55,000 students every day. They have School Gardens. I havent seen all of them, but ive seen a number of them, theyre throughout the city, supported by the farl to School Program and improved the local community by serving minimally processed foods whenever possible. She was the chief of Food Service Administration for the Public Schools in washington, d. C. Served as the recess chair of the food association, a National Trade group for local businesses that worked to increase access and market share for seller and commercial buyers of local food. And now ill turn to senator cochran to introduce our next witness, mr. Scott clements. Madam chairman, its my pleasure to present mr. Scott clements. From the Mississippi Department of education in mississippi. In his role, he administers eight programs, including breakfast and child and adult food care programs. In addition, his office conducts several schoolrelated health programs. He has 14 years of experience in child nutrition. Hes the past president of the mississippi School Nutrition association and has served on the usda child nutrition state systems working group. Do i also introduce dr. Wilson . Youre welcome to. Dr. Kathryn wilson is the executive director of the National FoodManagement Service institute in oxford. She serves as associate director sorry, she serves as associate professor at the university as well. She holds degrees in dietetics and related fields. She has 23 years of experience as a School Nutrition director and has served as the president of the School Nutrition association. Im pleased both of them could be here today to help us review the proposals for legislation on nutrition programs that are administered by the federal government. Thank you very much. Next were pleased to have ms. Jul julia bauscher. Shes also the director of school and Community Nutrition programs at jefferson county, Public Schools in kentucky where meals to 100,000 students are served in 144 schools. Prior to joining the School District, ms. Bauscher was representative for three different manufacturers. Since joining the district in 1994, she has overseen the development of essential kitchen and has leveraged the community by enlisting the help of a local professional chef to develop recipes. Finally, we are pleased to have mr. Phil muir of muir Copper Canyon farm. His Family Business began in 1850. You dont look that old, actually. Muir Copper Canyon farm is based in Salt Lake City, utah, serving the entire state of utah and parts of idaho and wyoming. His clients include k12 schools, casual and finedining restaurants. He serves on the Health Council of the united fresh foundation. And served with proact. So welcome to all of you. And let me remind you that we do ask you to limit your comments to five minutes. We welcome any other written testimony and information that youd like to give us. But in the interest of time and we actually have a vote at 11 00 today. So we feneed to make sure that have ample time for questions. Well start with ms. Wiggins. Honorable members of the committee. Im betti wiggins. I am honored to be with you here today to address what i believe to be a top being of fundamental importance to all of us, the health and wellbeing of americas children. As we all know, the cafeteria lines, there are no d. S and r. S, they are only Young Americans we are grateful to serve. I am thankful for the deliberative tone of this committee. In a district with declining enrollment and multiple facility closures in recent years, i have the privilege to provide meals to 50,000 children. Most of our children eat breakfast and lunch and often eat supper with our facilities. It makes a positive difference in their lives, their family lives and the community. It was the first to make breakfast universally available. Theres a direct correlation between eating breakfast and academic performance. Our Lunch Program provides free, fresh, hot cooked meals. It includes fresh vegetables and fruits. Lowfat milk. We offer suppers for at risk students. In detroit we warmly welcome the higher nutrition standards. The legislation resulting regulations have prompted us to institute changes that are making a positive difference in our children and employees. It provides a frame work for other legislation, including additional training opportunities and equipment and purchasing systems. We have been allowed to introduce new equipment, convection ovens are the new norm. Deep fat fryers are obs lieutenan obsolete. In addition to new equipment, our Food Distribution partners are finding products we need to provide our children with the quality food they need and deserve. We have found food manufacturers become determined to meet our improved nutrition standards. Food companies of all sizes are following the innovations designed to meet the new regulatory requirements. We are approximately 80 of our children in detroit are eligible for free meals. I have discovered that hunger and nutrition is not confined to children from low income families. Its as common from the children at the end of the culdesac as end of street corners. High poverty schools like in our district are able to provide breakfast and lunch free of charge. Reducing hunger. The program deliver benefits to our program. From elimination of paper applications. The increase meal participation rates allow me to capture scale while the savings generated by the paper application improving overall stability of our School Programs as youre likely aware, 4,000 schools in 11 states are now participating cep. The work of you and your committee, chair woman, make an incredible positive difference in the lives of children every day. Each of you know far better than i that the usda funding is all about improving the Economic Conditions of rural america. One of my greatest joys, and another direct benefit of the improved nutrition standards have been increasing our purchasing of michigan grown products. As vice chair of the local food association, the nations only trade association for buyers and sellers, we have produced local food. Im technically motivated to do my part to increase the share of local farmers. We have increased partnerships, healthy returns for them and our children. We are feeding fresh michigan aspar gus to teenagers, and they like it. We are introducing them to fresh foods that will increase health and quality of life. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetabl vegetables, we also have the benefits of delivering Educational Opportunities in the cafeteria, the classroom by participating farmers and School Garden opportunities. In 2012, Community Partners initiated garden at the school. Expanding reallife laboratories to teach children about health, nutrition and growing food. Each features raised garden beds and access, thereby having access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The learning centers we have a two and a half acre farm, and we have reestablished a nationally known farm. We are also engaged in development of the kettering project which is the repurposing of a closed 30acre site. Our shared progress represents a solid value for our position for the nation. As leaders, whether we are parents in congress, School Nutrition officials in food bess or usda we must get away from the process of change to progress. Institutional change is difficult and often perceived near impossible. It always takes time and includes shortterm discomfort. The investments have and w