Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, last week received the 2018 Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award from the Global Child Nutrition Foundation for his ongoing efforts to end childhood hunger. As a sponsor of the award ceremony, IDFA helped to celebrate the senator’s long history of supporting child nutrition initiatives in Congress, including leading Senate efforts on reauthorizing child nutrition programs that offered school children more nutrient-rich dairy products.
“Nutrition programs and policies have evolved over the years through farm bills,” said Roberts. “The Senate Agriculture Committee is currently in the process of crafting a new farm bill, and it is our responsibility to ensure that these programs are supported and strengthened.”
He added, “We must also look for creative and new ways to allow our producers and other stakeholders to do what they do best—feed people.”
‘Saddle up and Ride’
Noting that his committee has avoided the gridlock and partisanship that many associate with Congress, Roberts hinted at the timetable for the farm bill, saying, “April is a very good month for something to happen.” He asked agricultural association leaders, company executives and congressional staff members in the audience to “saddle up and ride” with him to work through the upcoming debate.
IDFA staff members who attended the award luncheon were Dave Carlin, senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy; Heather Soubra, chief of staff; and Audra Kruse, manager of communications.
The Global Child Nutrition Foundation is a network of governments, businesses and civil organizations working together to support school meal programs that help children and communities thrive. GCNF provides training, technical assistance and networking opportunities to help governments build national school meal programs that are nutritious, locally sourced and independent from international aid.
For more information, contact Carlin at dcarlin@idfa.org.