Feeding children

Abstract: Child nutrition programs have been increasingly supported by the federal government, but the recent concerns about inflation and government expenditures have necessitated a thorough program review, including costs, purposes, nutritional effectiveness, resource allocation and available alternatives. There are currently 10 programs under scrutiny, including WIC, breakfast, lunch and summer meal programs, commodity supplements and nutrition education, which are funded by reimbursements as if they were entitlements. Existing policies at state, local, and federal levels are examined as well as the anticipated impact of changing policy and funding. Each program is analyzed according to target population, type of benefit, number of participants, and costs. The commodity program is examined from 2 aspects: the impact of expenditures on agriculture and the impact of food programs on child health. These analyses are supported with statistical data on diet analysis, technical tables and food distribution authorization legislation.