Improving US nutrition policies: CSPI secures partners to drive scalable food models

16 Nov 2022 --- Thirty-five local, state and national groups have formed partnerships with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to drive changes in US food and nutrition policy. These collaborations are a part of CSPI’s nationwide advocacy initiative to gain federal, state and local food and nutrition laws that promote public health and offer creative models that can be scaled up and duplicated.

According to CSPI, the grant-funded partner organizations are working to advance novel policies to support public health, particularly for communities disproportionately affected by systemic inequities and increase the accessibility of nutrient-rich food and beverages in schools, restaurants and supermarkets.

“CSPI is fortunate to have so many partners in this important work, representing diverse communities, experiences and approaches to improving the food environment,” says Dr. Peter Lurie, president at CSPI.

“Working together in the coalition will not only help us get to the finish line faster but help shape stronger, more equitable policies.”

In the US, chronic diseases reportedly contribute to 529,000 annual deaths, mostly from heart attacks, strokes, cancer and Type 2 diabetes. These new collaborations will speed up CSPI’s efforts to improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s benefits for nutrition and public health. They were made possible by multi-year funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Support for policy change
To create a just and equitable food environment, CSPI wants to support communities as they explore policy interventions to achieve systemic change. In addition to giving partners financial help, CSPI offers technical assistance with campaign strategy, communications, lobbying and other issues. 

Furthermore, CSPI organizes frequent learning opportunities and distributes advocacy toolkits via its Resource Hub.

CSPI aims to improve the availability of nutritious and free meals for all children at school. As part of its initiative to improve the nutritional value of restaurant children’s meals, CSPI collaborated with the NAACP Maryland State Conference to pass local bills requiring restaurant children’s meals to meet expert nutrition standards and provide healthier options for children.

CSPI also supported the “first of its kind” ballot initiative (Proposition FF) in Colorado, sponsored by Hunger-Free Colorado. It will fund free meals for all children statewide and other essential investments in school nutrition programs.

The partnerships will also lead to CSPI supporting nutritious and cost-free meals for all students, implementing nutrient warnings on menus and labels, enhancing institutional procurement to include healthier food options and promoting the sale of nutritious foods and beverages at supermarkets and other retailers.

Tackling nutrition inequality
In related news, CSPI recently criticized the US Congress for failing to include a plan to provide all pupils – regardless of family income – with free and nutritious school meals.

Public interest groups argue the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is disappointing since it jeopardizes children’s nutrition, despite the US Senate’s assertion that it has significant support for its claimed benefits. The CSPI expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of key child nutrition provisions from the Build Back Better Act of 2021.

Edited by Nicole Kerr

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