Food Research and Action Center Honors American Academy of Pediatrics President,

By: Food Research and Action Center
 
WASHINGTON - June 11, 2015 - PRLog -- – June 10, 2015 – The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) held its 25th Annual Benefit Dinner on June 10 at The Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., where it honored Sandra G. Hassink, M.D., FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the New York City SNAP Task Force for their notable efforts to end hunger and improve nutrition in America.

“This year’s honorees share an unwavering commitment to ensure children, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, the working poor, the unemployed and others who struggle with hunger have access to the quality nutrition they need for their health and well-being,” said FRAC President James Weill.

FRAC’s Award for Innovative Anti-Hunger Work was presented to the New York City SNAP Task Force, which brings together more than 200 advocates, service providers, government representatives, and other members to improve access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for low-income New Yorkers.

Task Force Chair Margarette Purvis, president and CEO of Food Bank For New York City, and Task Force member Daniel W. Tietz, Chief Special Services Officer of the New York City Human Resources Administration, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

Dr. Hassink received FRAC’s Distinguished Service Award for her lifelong work in improving child nutrition and preventing and treating obesity.

“Dr. Hassink recognizes that the fight for healthy food and the fight against hunger are one and the same,” said FRAC Board Chair and former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, who presented the award. “Hunger poses a serious threat to a child’s health, growth and learning. We thank Dr. Hassink for being a champion for child nutrition programs, including WIC and healthier school meals. These programs bode well for the future of our children, and the future of America.”

2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the the permanent authorization of the national school breakfast, child care food, WIC and summer food service programs. According to FRAC, as a result of bipartisan efforts in laws like the 2010 child nutrition reauthorization, the food in these programs is getting healthier and reaching more children in need.

In closing, Glickman noted that throughout its 45-year history, FRAC has been creating, building, improving, and protecting federal nutrition programs to stave off hunger and build food security and economic security for all Americans. He expressed gratitude for the tireless work of FRAC’s network of anti-hunger advocates across the country as well as the efforts of the private and public sectors to create a hunger-free America.

More than 300 representatives from the private and public sectors attended the dinner, which benefited FRAC's Campaign to End Childhood Hunger (http://www.frac.org/html/ctech/ctech_index.html). The campaign aims to provide children with the nutrition they need to be healthy, to learn, and to grow by raising awareness of existing programs, creating partnerships with local groups to craft innovative strategies, and developing long-term strategies to improve programs. The General Mills Foundation served as Legacy Patron of the event, which also received generous support from the Kellogg Company Fund, AARP, the National Dairy Council, Land O’Lakes, Inc.,Abbott, American Beverage Association, PepsiCo, Inc., the Coca-Cola Company, Mars Incorporated, Nestlé , and Unilever.

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The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the lead advocacy organization working to end hunger in America through stronger public policies. For more information, visit www.frac.org.
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Source:Food Research and Action Center
Email:***@frac.org Email Verified
Tags:Hunger, Obesity, Nutrition
Industry:Agriculture, Health
Location:Washington - District of Columbia - United States
Subject:Awards
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