Statewide Report Addresses Hunger, Poor Nutrition
February 18, 2005
The State Advisory Council on Food and Nutrition on Friday released its 13 th annual report on the State of Food and Nutrition in Montana .
According to the report, many people and agencies have undertaken activities in the past year that have significantly contributed to the reduction of hunger and the improvement of the nutritional status of Montanans. However, the report points out, there are still many problems to overcome.
The advisory council is made up of representatives from public and private organizations throughout Montana and is administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. It is charged with making recommendations to the governor and legislature on food and nutrition issues affecting Montanans.
Council members presented the report to Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger at the Capitol on Friday.
The 2004 report addresses two major areas of concern:
- The overall poverty rate in Montana has risen to 14.2 percent, and the poverty rate for children under 18 has risen to 17.5 percent. As poverty levels rise, Montana food and nutrition program have been unable to meet the growing demands for their services.
- Many low-income children and adults receive poor and inconsistent nutrition. This increases their risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.
- The advisory council has recommended several ways to address these areas of concern:
- Support a measure to increase food and benefits for low-income people by lifting the ban on SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
- Support the cardiovascular/obesity state plan.
- Continue to support the crucial role that the Montana State Advisory Council on Food and Nutrition plays in correlating and communicating areas of concern to the state.
- Support state funding to increase food stamp outreach efforts in order to reach all the eligible population, as well as bring much needed federal dollars into local grocery stores.
- Use available funds from soft drink and tobacco taxes to support nutrition and physical activity efforts in Montana.
- Support nutrition and physical activity education in schools.
- Support programs that benefit seniors, like Meals on Wheels and Aging Services.
- Encourage communities to provide physical activity alternatives for families who want to exercise but cannot do so because of weather or limited means.
- Provide funding for the WIC/Farmer's Market Nutrition Program that could provide fruits and vegetables to thousands of WIC families (and support Montana agriculture).
- Provide startup funds for schools that start new breakfast programs.
For more information about the Advisory Council on Food and Nutrition, or to obtain a copy of its report, contact council co-chairs Peggy Grimes at the Montana Food Bank Network at 406-721-3825 or Minkie Medora at 406-549-3413.
Page last updated: 06/15/2006
