Beyond The Headlines: USDA invests in local food programs, Scotland’s unveils Bright Start Breakfasts

13 Dec 2024 | By William Nichols

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This week in nutrition news, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed investment plans to boost local food programs and increase nutrition and food security, while the government of Scotland unveiled a new free breakfast and childcare initiative. At the same time, botanical extracts specialist Finzelberg spotlighted three major nutrition trends for 2025.

Nutrition news

The USDA invested US$1.13 billion to bolster local and regional food programs through the Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs. This funding will enable state, territorial and Tribal entities to buy and distribute locally produced food to various community support organizations, including schools and child care centers. The initiative, part of an ongoing effort to strengthen food security and support local agriculture, builds on previous successes, with substantial allocations directed toward childcare facilities for the first time. According to the USDA, the move will help nurture resilient, equitable and sustainable food systems nationwide.

The Scottish government unveiled Bright Start Breakfasts, a new initiative funded by £3 million (~US$3.8 million) to support disadvantaged children with free breakfasts and childcare. Revealed in the 2025–26 draft budget, the program looks to improve morning nutrition and support parents with morning childcare needs. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth emphasized the role of breakfast clubs in combating child poverty and boosting children’s learning potential. Nearly half of Scotland’s schools already offer breakfast services, however, the government program is part of broader efforts to assist families amid the cost-of-living crisis, including expanding free school meals and financial support for education.

Finzelberg revealed three trends in health product development for the upcoming year. The global supplier of botanical extracts emphasized a shift from all-in-one to targeted health solutions focusing on metabolic health, aging and cognitive performance. The company said it is set to offer precise and scientifically validated botanical extracts for effective health and wellness solutions. It highlighted Mentalify, a botanical extract proven in trials to improve mood and cognitive function in children and teenagers. Additionally, the company’s 360Gut ingredient targets gut health and supports overall wellness through microbiome modulation. Finzelberg also introduced Concental to support brain health and cognitive functions, particularly during aging and menopause. Children in line to recieve healthy breakfasts at school. The Scottish government’s Bright Start Breakfasts program will provide free breakfast and childcare to assist families during the cost-of-living crisis.

Business news

The Codex Alimentarius Commission approved a proposal to develop an international standard for microbial omega-3 oils, including various eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) algal oils. This initiative, led by the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s for over a year, will facilitate free global trade of these oils. The approval follows discussions at the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils and will advance under an electronic working group, co-chaired by the US and China. The first draft of the standard is scheduled for presentation at the 29th session of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils in 2026.

In honor of the International Day of Veterinary Medicine, Purina gave a US$4.5 million donation to three US veterinary schools to foster innovation in pet health and veterinary education. The funding will support research in areas like healthy aging and mobility for dogs and gastrointestinal health for cats and dogs. The grants will go to Cornell University, the University of California Davis and Colorado State University. Each institution will initiate programs that advance scientific knowledge and pet care, with projects ranging from canine rehabilitation to gastrointestinal health solutions and support for emerging veterinary scientists.

Product launches

Weight Watchers unveiled its next-gen program, which incorporates AI and features for a more personalized and sustainable weight management experience. This includes insurance-covered consultations with dietitians, an AI-powered food scanner, a recipe importer, over 150 new ZeroPoint foods and macronutrient insights. The company said the new app will strengthen the program’s focus on personalized nutrition and holistic weight management, emphasizing the expanded food options and access to nutritional experts. The program also integrates clinical solutions like semaglutide with WeightWatchers’ Points system to boost weight loss outcomes. Two dogs and cats running together through a field of flowers. Purina awarded US$4.5 million to three veterinary schools to bolster pet nutrition and care innovations.

Scientific studies

New research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, North Carolina, US, links living in a disadvantaged neighborhood with low nutrition security to higher blood pressure and lower cognitive scores, regardless of existing mild cognitive impairment diagnoses. Published in the Alzheimer’s Association’s journal, Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, the study underscores the role of social determinants of health, such as access to education, employment and housing, in increasing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The study utilized the Area Deprivation Index to evaluate neighborhood disadvantage and analyzed its impact on the cardiometabolic and cognitive health of 537 adults aged over 55. Results indicated that neighborhood disadvantage correlated with poorer heart health and brain function, particularly in individuals without prior cognitive issues. The researchers said these findings emphasize the need for structural changes to address these health determinants to mitigate related risks.

A recent study by the University of Southern California’s Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, US, revealed a slight decrease in food insecurity in Los Angeles County, with rates dropping 5% from the previous year. However, 25% of households still faced difficulties in accessing sufficient food, significantly higher than the national average. Food insecurity among low-income households stood at 41% in 2024, exacerbated by high living costs and reduced aid from food assistance programs. Despite past benefits from pandemic-era enhancements to federal and local food programs, the subsequent rollback of aid combined with inflation has worsened conditions, erasing gains and underscoring the precarious nature of food access in the region. The study focused on data from 2021 to 2024, highlighting the ongoing struggle with nutrition insecurity, particularly among Asian communities and stressed the urgent need for sustained, well-funded food assistance programs to address these disparities effectively.