Utilization of Fresh Local Milk in Federally Funded Food Security Programs

Council of State Governors, Eastern Regional Conference
Passed by the CSG/ERC Executive Committee
on March 31, 2007
Original Here

Whereas, the Northeast Region of the Council of State Governments comprised of the states from Maine to Delaware, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico has created the Northeast States Association for Agricultural Stewardship (NSAAS) to address issues of concern in agriculture and rural development ; and

Whereas, the northeast region takes great pride in supplying healthy, fresh milk and other wholesome foods to the citizens of the region; and

Whereas, dairy is the "anchor tenant" of agriculture in the northeast, supporting the critical mass of infrastructure upon which nearly all other agricultural enterprises depend; and

Whereas, the federal government in partnership with state governments has created food security programs to satisfy the nutritional needs of low income children and families; and

Whereas, the Women’s Infants and Children (WIC) program was created to specifically address nutritional deficiencies in young children; and

Whereas, it has come to our attention that the WIC program in Puerto Rico is substituting Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk for fresh, local milk in it’s program; and

Whereas, independent market research studies indicate that 96% of consumers prefer the taste of fresh milk over UHT milk or powder milk.; and

Whereas, infants and young children, who reject the taste of UHT milk and do not consume it and do not receive the nutritional benefit of the product; and

Whereas, there is some level of nutritional loss in certain proteins that are important to the mother and to the child with UHT milk due to the high temperature process required to sterilize and pack this product; and

Whereas, WIC’s program also aims to provide support the local industry of each individual state to whom it is providing the benefits; and

Whereas, dairy continues to be the driving force of commerce, employment and income in Puerto Rico accounting for more than 25,000 jobs;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NSAAS and CSG/ERC representing state policy leaders in the northeast urge you to require the use local, fresh milk in WIC and other federally funded hunger security programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all members of Congress from the Northeast and their colleagues from other regions of the country serving on the Senate and House Agriculture and Appropriations committees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the governors and legislative leaders of the Northeast.