S.Amdt. 3522

SA 3522. Mr. CASEY (for himself and Ms. Stabenow) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place in the nutrition title, insert the following:

SEC. ___. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE FOOD STAMP NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--

(1) nutrition education under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2007 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) plays an essential role in improving the dietary and physical activity practices of low-income people in the United States, helping to reduce food insecurity, prevent obesity, and reduce the risks of chronic disease;

(2) expert organizations, such as the Institute of Medicine, indicate that dietary and physical activity behavior change is more likely to result from the combined application of public health approaches and education than from education alone; and

(3) State programs are implementing nutrition education using effective strategies, including direct education, group activities, and social marketing.

(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--

(1) the Secretary should support and encourage the most effective interventions for nutrition education under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2007 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), including public health approaches and traditional education, to increase the likelihood that recipients of food and nutrition program benefits and people who are potentially eligible for those benefits will choose diets and physical activity practices consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; and

(2) to promote the most effective implementation of publicly-funded programs, State nutrition education activities under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2007 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.)--

(A) should be coordinated with other federally-funded food assistance and public health programs; and

(B) should leverage public/private partnerships to maximize the resources and impact of the programs.