A bill that would triple annual funding of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Program from $5 million to $15 million was introduced by Sens. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., (S.569) and Reps. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., and Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio (H.R.1061). The aim of the program is to increase access to healthy, local foods served in schools nationwide. Reports indicate that the lawmakers hope to include the bill language in the upcoming reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.  

Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, has re-introduced the Bringing Awareness and Knowledge to Exempt Schools Against Legislative Encroachment (BAKE SALE) Act (H.R. 881), a bill that would prohibit the Department of Agriculture from enforcing updated nutrition standards for school snacks and beverages with respect to school fundraisers. In a statement on the school fundraisers provision released last year , Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon noted that individual states set their own exemption levels for fundraisers featuring snacks or drinks that don’t meet the new standards.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that up to $4 million in grants would be made available to states for implementation of a newly-released final rule setting new national professional standards for school food service employees. The rule establishes minimum education and training requirements for school nutrition directors, managers, and staff.  

Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., has launched a 30-day commitment to replace all sugary beverages with water, eat breakfast daily, and eat at least one additional serving of fruits and vegetables daily. Supporting partners of the campaign—designed in part to bring attention to the lack of access to healthy foods in underserved communities—include the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and MomsRising.     

Legislation that would impose a penny-per-ounce tax on sodas and other sugary drinks has been reintroduced in the Illinois General Assembly (SB 1584/HB 2667). If enacted, the anticipated $600 million in new revenue from the Healthy Eating Active Living Act would be used expand obesity prevention and treatment and wellness programs for Medicaid recipients and fund local health and wellness programs. The bill failed in a committee vote last year. 

The Nevada Senate Education Committee reviewed a bill that would that make physical education mandatory for students in grades k-11. The bill (SB178) would set physical education content and performance standards for each grade level, establish physical education credit requirements for high school students, and prohibit teachers from withholding recess time as a form of student punishment. 

A national advertising campaign funded by corporations and private foundations—including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—featuring celebrities and professional athletes to encourage fruit and vegetable consumption was announced at the Partnership for a Healthier America healthy future summit. The “FNV” campaign, which will launch nationally in the spring, will include digital and print advertising; sponsorships of youth sports leagues and teams; and local business, retail and event locations.

WDRB News, 2/23/2015

A program using healthier foods to curb childhood obesity among Louisville students has cooked up some positive results.

AM New York, Meredith Deliso, 2/22/2015

According to the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, one in five kindergarten students and one in four Head Start children are obese. Several organizations are looking to erase that statistic by bringing nutrition education and fitness programs to the classroom.

Strengthening the Commitment: Helping All Kids Grow Up at a Healthy Weight

March 6, 2015
12:15 p.m. ET

Hosted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this Google+ Hangout will focus on RWJF’s renewed commitment to help all children in the United States grow up at a healthy weight. Register for the Google+ Hangout.

Biking and Communities of Color: Friend or Foe?
March 18, 2015
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET

Sponsored by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, this webinar will discuss how biking can impact community revitalization efforts. Register for the webinar.

FDA Food and Nutrition Labeling Webinar
March 24, 2015
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

Hosted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this webinar will share information about the FDA’s recent food and nutrition regulations for menu and vending labeling. Register for the webinar.

Expanding Access to Healthy Food: New Data, New Ideas, New Directions
March 26, 2015
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET

Hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, this webinar will explore national and local efforts to expand healthy food access, particularly in low-income communities. Register for the webinar.