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Hello and welcome to this edition of the Western Region 'At the Table' newsletter. Before we get into the news and events from across the region, please allow me to share some personal information about my upcoming retirement at the end of September.
As I prepare to retire from my role as the Western Regional Office Administrator, I want to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for the incredible work we have accomplished together over the years. Over the past few months, I have been able to bid farewell to some of you in person, and for that, I am thankful. For all of you, it has been an honor and a privilege to collaborate with such dedicated and passionate professionals committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities and especially our children.
Our shared mission to ensure that all Americans have access to nutritious food has been both challenging and rewarding. Together, we have navigated many obstacles, celebrated significant achievements (SUN Bucks), and made a tangible difference in the lives of millions. Your unwavering commitment and innovative approaches have been the driving force behind our success, and I am deeply grateful for your partnership and support.
As I step away from my role, I am confident that the strong relationships we have built and the impactful programs we have developed will continue to thrive. I have no doubt that you will continue to lead with the same passion and dedication that has brought us this far.
Thank you for your collaboration, your trust, and your tireless efforts. I leave with a heart full of gratitude and pride for all that we have achieved together. I wish you continued success in all of your future endeavors and look forward to seeing the positive impact of your work in the years to come.
Jesus Mendoza, Jr., Western Regional Administrator
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Connecting schools with produce partners equals healthier meals
On July 26, FNCS Deputy Under Secretary Cindy Long traveled to Monterey, California, to participate in the International Foodservice Conference, hosted by the International Fresh Produce Association. DUS Long connected with school and produce partners, and she saw the cooperation and innovation between school nutrition professionals and the fresh produce supply chain -- supporting both local producers and great nutrition for kids.
DUS Long encouraged industry partners to keep supporting the K-12 community, adapting alongside them, and building supply chain structures that get them and our kids the great healthy foods they need. She said, “We know that serving fresh produce to our kids not only adds color and flavor to their meal trays, but also sets them on a path toward lifelong health…The focus of this conference – Connecting school foodservice professionals – who are all leaders by virtue of the heroic work they do each day to nourish kids – with the fresh produce industry is an absolutely incredible thing.”
Message from WRO Supplemental Nutrition Division Director
Hello!
This quarter, we have much to celebrate as we mark a significant milestone in the history of our programs. It is with great pride and excitement that I highlight the 50th anniversary of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). For half a century, WIC has been a cornerstone of our mission, playing a vital role in improving pregnancy outcomes and the health and developmental outcomes of millions of children across the nation.
This August, as we observe National WIC Breastfeeding Week, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting and supporting breastfeeding as the best source of infant nutrition. Since 1974, WIC has championed breastfeeding, and we have witnessed remarkable milestones over the years—from the 1989 reauthorization mandating USDA to promote breastfeeding, to the launch of the Loving Support campaign in 1997, and the evolution to WIC Breastfeeding Support – Learn Together, Grown Together in 2018. These efforts have been pivotal in helping mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals and ensuring that every infant has the healthiest start possible.
A highlight of our ongoing breastfeeding support efforts is the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence program, which honors local WIC agencies that demonstrate exemplary breastfeeding support practices. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of several agencies in the Western Region who have gone above and beyond in their efforts.
Congratulations to our Premier Awardees: Multnomah County Health Department (Oregon) and Sacramento County Department of Health Services WIC Program (California). We also extend our applause to the Gold Awardees: Island County Public Health (Washington), Jefferson County Public Health (Washington), Lundquist Institute WIC Program (California), and MultiCare WIC (Washington). Your dedication to supporting breastfeeding families is truly commendable.
In addition, I am proud to announce that the California State agency has been recognized with a WIC Breastfeeding Performance Bonus Award for its outstanding improvement in breastfeeding rates during fiscal year 2023. This achievement underscores the ongoing commitment within our region to enhance breastfeeding support and increase breastfeeding rates among WIC participants. Your efforts are making a tangible difference in the lives of families, and I commend you all for keeping breastfeeding a high priority.
As we continue to build upon these successes, I am also excited to share that the WIC Breastfeeding Support website is now available in 14 languages. This expanded resource will further empower WIC State agencies and partners to reach more families with the critical information and support they need.
Finally, I am pleased to introduce the newest members of our WRO WIC Team, who bring a wealth of experience and passion to our work. Stephanie Wrightsman joins us as the WRO Supplemental Food Programs Branch Chief, bringing 20 years of federal service and a deep commitment to public health and food security. Angela Morton and Kelly Warner have joined as WRO Supplemental Food Programs Nutritionists, each with extensive backgrounds in nutrition, public health, and program management. Kevin Vu, our new WRO Program Specialist, brings a unique blend of financial expertise and public service experience, including his work in community economic development with the Peace Corps.
Please join me in welcoming Stephanie, Angela, Kelly, and Kevin to our team. I am confident that their contributions will further strengthen our efforts in supporting the WIC program and enhancing the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work. Together, we celebrate WIC’s 50 years of success and look forward to many more years of serving families and improving lives.
Chad Davis-Montgomery, Western Region Supplemental Nutrition Division Director
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WRO Celebrates 50 Years of WIC in American Samoa
WRO Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr., and his leadership team visited a WIC office during their recent visit to American Samoa. American Samoa WIC was kicking off their celebration of 50 Years of the WIC Program and National Breastfeeding Week.
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WRO Celebrated National WIC Breastfeeding Week and 50 Years of WIC in Oregon
On August 8, WRO Supplemental Nutrition Division Director Chad Davis-Montgomery and WIC Branch Chief Stephanie Wrightsman traveled to Portland to attend the 3rd Annual Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Town Hall hosted by the Multnomah County WIC. Davis-Montgomery presented the county their Premiere WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence at the celebration, which included a talk about The JJ Way®, a model Jennie Joseph created to increase healthy pregnancies, deliveries, and babies. Attendees heard best practices for supporting positive, safe birthing and breastfeeding outcomes for Black women and other marginalized people in Multnomah County.
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The M.O.M.S. Tour in Oakland, California
On June 29, WRO Public Affairs Specialist Julie Yee participated in the M.O.M.S. (Maternal Outcomes Matter Showers) Tour organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Partnership Center. The M.O.M.S. Tour visits approximately 20-25 cities annually and aims to connect pregnant and postpartum women to information and onsite resources and connections in the communities that need it the most. They target cities with high maternal mortality and morbidity rates, especially among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native population. The tours bring together mental health professionals, birth workers, medical professionals, and community members to provide resources and support for pregnant and postpartum women. At the Oakland event, WRO exhibited WIC materials and promoted USDA SUN programs.
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During National Breastfeeding Month, the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada celebrated Indigenous Milk Medicine Week, commemorating the nurturing influence of those who breastfeed or chestfeed in Indigenous communities. They stand with indigenous parents, caregivers, and communities as they celebrate their Milk Medicine Journeys!
WRO joins California's Alameda County for WIC Program 50th Anniversary and World Breastfeeding Week
On August 1, WRO Supplemental Nutrition Director Chad Davis-Montgomery and new WRO Nutritionists Angela Morton and Kelly Warner joined Alameda County WIC Program and the California Department of Public Health to celebrate the 50th anniversary of WIC and promote World Breastfeeding Week at Kennedy Park in Hayward. The event included raffle prizes, snacks, music, and most importantly - resources, education and referrals that support and promote breastfeeding/chestfeeding along with all the services available through WIC and partners in Alameda County.
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WRO Attends Team Nutrition Local Food Recipe Event in Hawaii
On July 31, WRO Child Nutrition Division Director Marisa Cheung and Public Affairs Specialist Julie Yee traveled to Honolulu to participate in a Team Nutrition Local Food Recipe Event at Foodland Farms Pearl City. Locally owned grocery store, Foodland, partnered with the Hawaii School Nutrition Association to provide samples of Team Nutrition recipes it standardized from local families with Kapiolani Community College Culinary Department. For the event, Hawaii Kalani High School culinary arts students helped prepare the recipes for sampling, which included locally sourced ingredients. Their culinary arts students and instructor along with Hawaii Department of Education staff distributed the samples to Foodland shoppers, who were asked to provide feedback as the recipes might be used to prepare school lunches.
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WRO Leadership joins in celebration of 30 years of American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program
On July 29-30, WRO Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr., Deputy Regional Administrator Terry Gunnell, SNAP Director Charles Tobin, and Public Affairs Director Mary Kay Gominger traveled to Pago Pago to join in the celebration of 30 years of Nutrition Assistance Programs in American Samoa. WRO met Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga who welcomed the delegation and expressed his gratitude for their support of the program, highlighting its significant benefits to the community. At the meeting, American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services Director Muavaefa'atasi John E. Suisala, who has been overseeing NAP since 1994, was recognized for his leadership over the years and his efforts to ensure that NAP and WIC are available to the people of American Samoa.
WRO visits Washington during National Farmers Market Week
Every year, in August, USDA celebrates National Farmers Market Week, which highlights the important role farmers markets play in the nation’s food system. FNS Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs (SNAS) celebrated this year by highlighting successful initiatives in two FNS programs: the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (S/FMNP collectively). S/FMNP provides benefits to eligible WIC participants and low-income seniors that can be used to buy fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables from farmers and farmers’ markets. This year, SNAS spotlighted state agencies committed to helping more families access healthy foods and engage with farmers and farmers markets in their community. Here's one in our region: Washington.
Washington fosters a welcoming environment by translating their S/FMNP educational brochures into the top 16 languages other than English spoken by participants. This improves the inclusivity of the program and makes the S/FMNP more accessible to all eligible participants. Translated materials can be found on the Washington Department of Social and Health Services and the Washington Department of Health websites.
Pictured above with Washington S/FMNP staff are WRO staff Joanna Ruffcorn, Laila Heid, and Galang Bui during an onsite Management Evaluation visit the week of August 4. They visited a farm store called Spooner Farms in Puyallup, Washington.
WRO Participates in California’s Healthy Fluid Milk Initiative Launch
On May 30, WRO Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr., traveled to San Bernadino for the HFMI launch. SNAP’s grantee, Auburn University, held a press event at Mother’s Nutritional Center's San Bernadino store. This event celebrated the launch of the project on the west coast in a major SNAP market, and the first group of stores to launch in California. WRO had the opportunity to promote SNAP, WIC, and USDA summer programs at the open press event. U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar (CA) also attended the event.
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WRO Participates in Oregon Summer EBT Kickoff Event
On July 17, WRO Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr., attended a media event in Salem to announce the launch of Oregon's Summer EBT. Attendees included representatives from the Oregon Department of Health Service, Oregon Department of Education, the Oregon Food Bank, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Salem, Marion, and Polk Counties, a summer meal sponsor. Mr. Mendoza congratulated the state for their efforts in making this happen and encouraged them to keep the momentum going. “There are many people who still don’t know about the program. There is a short window to apply, and there is a short window to use the benefits,” Mendoza said. “While it’s a new program nationwide, this program has been tested here in Oregon. We learned that this program does help address food insecurity for children during the summer months.”
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WRO Attends United Way of King County’s Summer Meals Event in Washington
On July 12, WRO Public Affairs Specialist Julie Yee traveled to Seattle to attend a Summer Meals Celebration hosted by the United Way of King County in partnership with the City of Seattle. The celebration event was held at Jefferson Park where collaborators promoted USDA’s SUN Programs and WRO engaged with state and local partners as well as families and children in the community. Kids enjoyed educational activities, games, and nutritious food.
WRO meets with Nevada State Agency officials and visits a summer meal site
On June 17, WRO Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr., and WRO Directors traveled to Northern Nevada to meet with state agency officials that administer FNS programs. Topics included SNAP Timeliness, WIC online shopping app pilot, S-EBT outreach, school meals, and more. On June 18, they visited a summer meal site at Sparks Marina Park in Reno. The meals were delivered and served from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada’s Kids Cafe Summer Meals Program. It was great to see kids getting nutritious meals and seeing the Summer Food Service Program in action.
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WRO attends a Summer Kickoff Event in Northern California
On June 7, WRO Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr., and Senior Program Specialist Tim Thole drove to Pittsburg, California, for a Summer Meals Program Kickoff titled, “BBQ Lunch on the Lawn”. The Pittsburg Unified School District hosted the event, which had many activities for the community. WRO had the opportunity to promote USDA’s SUN Programs and engaged with state and local partners and other interested parties at the event. In the photo, Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr., pedals on a bike to blend a smoothie.
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WRO Visits SUN Programs in Hawaii
On July 31, WRO Child Nutrition Division Director Marisa Cheung and Julie Yee traveled to Oahu to visit a non-congregate and a congregate Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) feeding site. They heard from Hawaii Foodbank’s staff, volunteers, and partners at a non-congregate SFSP (Kaukau 4 Keiki or K4K) site located in Waimanalo, where over 560 children were registered to pick up food. K4K provided age-appropriate and locally-sourced meal boxes to keiki/children in rural areas during the summer months. Each kaukau/food box contained shelf-stable foods to prepare seven days of breakfast and lunch for one child. Hundreds of boxes were distributed along with menu plans to grateful families. WRO also visited a congregate SFSP feeding site at a Parents And Children Together (PACT) located in a housing complex in Honolulu. These SFSP meals were prepared by Lanakila Pacific, which served over 30 SFSP sites in Hawaii and was participating in the Farm to Summer initiative that integrated local foods (such as purple sweet potato) into the meals.
WRO tours summer meal prep site in American Samoa
While in American Samoa, WRO Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr., Deputy Regional Administrator Terry Gunnell, SNAP Director Charles Tobin, and Public Affairs Director Mary Kay Gominger toured a summer meal site at a school that was operating for summer classes. They toured the school kitchen and met with partners like the Boys and Girls Club of American Samoa.
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USDA Promotes SUN Programs at the Food Bank of Northern Nevada’s Summer Meals Spike Event in Nevada
On July 16, USDA's Rural Development State Director for Nevada, Lucas Ingvoldstad and WRO Public Affairs Specialist Julie Yee traveled to the Reno area in Nevada for a press event promoting USDA's SUN programs. At Burgess Park in Sparks, Ingvoldstad spoke to the media about USDA’s continued commitment in fighting food insecurity. He said, “Children should never go hungry, and as the first new federal hunger program in nearly 50 years, we look forward to seeing the impact SUN Bucks will have on the Silver State. USDA estimates that over 350,000 children in Nevada will receive grocery benefits, with over $42 million coming back to the state. We applaud the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and the Nevada Department of Agriculture for working together with USDA to ensure that hunger has no place in the summer.”
WRO Participates in Summer Feeding Press Event in San Diego
On June 14, WRO Regional Administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr., and Public Affairs Director Mary Kay Gominger attended a press conference to promote summer feeding programs at Rosa Park Elementary School in San Diego. The San Diego Unified School District hosted the event, which gave partners a chance to promote healthy school meals, summer feeding, and other nutrition assistance programs. WRO promoted USDA's SUN Programs, including SUN Bucks, and engaged with local partners and other interested parties at the event.
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WRO Attends a Summer Kick-off Event in Southern California
On June 7, WRO Public Affairs Director Mary Kay Gominger traveled to Rialto to attend Rialto Unified School District's Summer Feeding Program Kickoff Event at Frisbie Park. She received a very warm welcome from the school district’s Lead Child Nutrition Agent, Mrs. Rahman-Davies. Gominger spoke with other school district officials, personnel, and partners that collaborated to organize this event to promote USDA’s SUN Programs. She also met some of the children and families that benefited from the Rialto Unified School District's summer meals program.
Guest article: SUN Bucks Outreach in San Diego County
In 2024, one in three children in San Diego County, California, experienced nutrition insecurity, according to the San Diego Hunger Coalition. The USDA’s new permanent summer EBT program, known as SUN Bucks, aims to alleviate hunger for qualifying school-aged children by providing $120 per child for groceries during the summer. However, many families still needed to sign up for this program. When the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative (COI), a multi-sector initiative with over 400 partners, led by the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Center for Community Health, learned of the new program, it began to spread the word.
San Diego County borders Tijuana, Mexico, presenting unique outreach challenges across diverse cultures and languages. To address this, COI’s Schools & After-School Workgroup partnered with the COI Community Council to implement a comprehensive outreach strategy. Tana Lepule, Community Council Tri-Chair, emphasized that communities often labeled as ‘hard-to-reach’ are actually ‘hardly reached’ due to systematic barriers. The Community Council, composed of multi-lingual, multi-cultural members, created a flyer detailing how and where SUN Bucks funds could be used. An outreach plan followed, involving one-on-one conversations, group presentations, and social media messaging in preferred languages. Since launching in mid-May, Community Council members have dedicated over 100 hours to outreach activities. Additionally, Nourish CA! updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) flyer and webpage to reflect insights provided by the Community Council. Michelle Lee, a policy advocate with Nourish CA! noted that, “the Community Council helped to ensure that the FAQ reflected the needs and concerns that were being voiced by their community members. To create more equitable policies and programs, it’s important that those with lived experience are actively driving the conversations on the issues that impact them."
Recognizing the pivotal role of schools, COI ensured School District Wellness Leads and Child Nutrition Directors were informed about SUN Bucks and actively promoted it to parents, teachers, and administrators. One of the workgroup chairs secured placement in school district newsletters and made sure SUN Bucks was discussed in telebriefings and workgroup meetings. Alondra Alvarado, President and CEO of San Diego Hunger Coalition, explained, “Summer is the hungriest time of year for many students who rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition. This is why we provided crucial free resources and trainings to community-based organizations and schools, empowering families to successfully navigate the application process and participate in this essential program. Every student deserves to enjoy their summer break without the worry of where their next meal will come from.”
Although it will take time to assess the overall success of this first year, SUN Bucks has already proven to be a vital bridge, helping families keep their refrigerators full during the summer. Moving forward, COI aims to secure funding to expand outreach efforts, start promoting the program earlier in the school year, and to provide resources in all eight threshold languages in San Diego County. We’ve also determined a need to partner with ethnic grocery stores and small corner markets to promote the program. Lastly, we need access to accurate data to identify and reach families who are eligible to receive SUN Bucks ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food for a healthy, happy summer.
Article by Lan Nguyễn PhD, MURP and Jackie Resnick, MPH, UC San Diego, ACTRI Center For Community Health/Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute
The San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative is implemented by UCSD Altman Clinical & Translational Research Institute, Center for Community Health in support of the Live Well San Diego vision for healthy, safe, and thriving communities. For more information, visit LiveWellSD.org.
This COI Community Council is supported by funding from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health of the U.S. 42 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) for the Award # CPIMP221344 for "Center Community Voice in Collective Action to Address Structural Racism and Promote Health Equity."
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Also, we appreciate feedback on the content of our newsletters. Send us an email at fns-wro-pao@usda.gov. |
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USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through a suite of 16 nutrition assistance programs, such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC and SNAP. Together, these programs serve 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year, promoting consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and wellbeing. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. FNS’s report, “Leveraging the White House Conference to Promote and Elevate Nutrition Security: The Role of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service,” highlights ways the agency will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy, released in conjunction with the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022. To learn more about FNS, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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