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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today released the following statement on the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The conference brought together business, civic, academic, and philanthropic leaders to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to end hunger and increase healthy eating and physical activity by 2030. The conference is the first of its kind in more than 50 years.

“We know that food security and nutritious eating are vital for improving our health, reducing disease, and ensuring our children can grow and thrive. The White House conference today brought together policymakers, community organizations, farmers, food manufacturers, health care professionals, trade associations, academics, and others to represent all angles of this problem and craft a whole-of-America approach.  I am committed to continuing the administration’s work, and in the weeks ahead I’ll be bringing stakeholders together in Michigan to help improve access to safe and healthy food and end hunger for families in our communities.”

The first White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health in 1969 resulted in the creation of landmark programs to end hunger, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program. 

The conference featured a pilot program by University of Michigan associate professor in family medicine Tammy Chang to determine the feasibility and dietary impact of delivering healthy groceries to pregnant young women with low incomes enrolled in WIC. Participants reported the program improved their diet, increased access to healthy foods, and promoted healthy habits during pregnancy. 

The Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health plans to use $8 billion in public and private commitments to improve food access and affordability, integrate nutrition and health, empower all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices, support physical activity for all, and enhance nutrition and food security research.

For more information on the Biden-Administration’s strategy, click here.