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From food access to healthy diets, USDA leader will discuss the intersection of poverty, nutrition
May 15, 2014
USDA Administrator Audrey Rowe is the featured guest speaker for a May 23 event, sponsored by the Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities.
Audrey Rowe, the administrator for the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will be the keynote speaker for an event scheduled from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 23, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
The program, sponsored by the Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities at USC's Arnold School of Public Health, will include Rowe's talk and a panel discussion, both in the Congaree Room of the convention center.
The event, titled "Ensuring Food Security and Healthy Weight: Promising Policies and Practices," is open to the University community, state agency personnel and academic institutions.
FNS provides children and families in need with better access to food and a more healthful diet through its 15 nutrition assistance programs and nutrition education efforts.
Dr. Sonya Jones, director of the Center said, “We're very excited to be hosting the FNS Administrator at USC. Since she administers all nutrition programs for the federal government that impact millions of families and children, her visit is particularly timely to discuss Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) policy implications and strategies that can end child hunger.
"Ms. Rowe will be able to provide insight about best practices, for a variety of sectors, to address root causes of hunger, obesity, and other nutrition issues, particularly in rural areas of South Carolina."
Rowe brings more than 20 years of experience to the federal government in human services policy development, fiscal management, program design, service delivery and marketing with a particular focus on vulnerable populations, low income women, children and youth. Most recently, Rowe served as Deputy Administrator for Special Nutrition Programs at FNS, leading the effort to pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation.
The event will help inform recent policy debates in South Carolina, such as restricting or incentivizing purchases made with SNAP.
USC faculty and staff serving on the panel will focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet; improving food security through federal nutrition programs; developing effective messaging to improve reach for federal nutrition programs; and a variety of other topics including community organizing to improve access to healthier food systems, and issues related to state and federal policies.
