Bill Text: TX SCR47 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to select the Rio Grande Valley region as the next expansion site for the Healthy Incentives Pilot program.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)

Status: (N/A - Dead) 2015-05-19 - Referred to Health & Human Services [SCR47 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-SCR47-Introduced.html

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84R27757 BPG-D
By: Lucio, Hinojosa, Zaffirini S.C.R. No. 47

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Food insecurity and inadequate nutrition are
growing problems among families living in Texas border colonias;
and
WHEREAS, In a recent study of Rio Grande Valley families, 80
percent of mothers reported household food insecurity, and 64
percent of children experienced food insecurity; these rates are
higher than national rates, reflecting the region's poverty, lower
levels of education, and average household size; and
WHEREAS, Children who are not well nourished are at a greater
risk of negative behavioral, social, academic, and health outcomes;
although school-based nutrition programs help, they may not be able
to completely address children's needs; and
WHEREAS, Poor nutrition is a factor in diabetes and obesity,
and these conditions cost the region hundreds of millions of
dollars; underlying diabetes is present in over half of area
hospital admissions for serious conditions, and the cost in lost
wages alone has been calculated at $227 million a year; and
WHEREAS, The Food, Nutrition, and Conservation Act of 2008
authorized $20 million for the Healthy Incentives Pilot; this
project investigates the impact of making fruits and vegetables
more affordable for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program; under HIP, beneficiaries earn a bonus of 30
cents for every SNAP dollar they spend on healthy fruits and
vegetables at participating retailers; interim results indicate
that consumption of fruits and vegetables increases significantly
through the use of these incentives, and participants purchase a
greater variety of produce items as well; and
WHEREAS, Federal nutrition assistance programs administered
by the USDA are powerful tools to promote well-being; many
residents of the Rio Grande Valley are SNAP recipients, and the
implementation of HIP could play an important role in improving
nutrition and reducing obesity, diabetes, and related maladies in
the region; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby respectfully urge the United States Department of
Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to select the Rio Grande
Valley region as the next expansion site for the Healthy Incentives
Pilot program; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an
official copy of this resolution to the U.S. secretary of
agriculture.