Obama influences USDA to retain fruit and vegetable program

Fruit and vegetable growers have won a small but symbolic victory as the Obama administration starts steering the Agriculture Department in a new direction.Facing political heat from California lawmakers, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has agreed to retain $3.18 million in a grant program that encourages fruit and vegetable consumption. The decision reverses a move made quietly in the dying days of the Bush administration. It also gives a little taste of how Washington works. The Bush administration had wanted to spend the $3.18 million implementing a country-of-origin labeling program. Vilsack decided, instead, to return the money to a specialty crop block grant program. Though the dollar amounts are modest, the former Iowa governor stressed he's sending a signal."It is clear, from what President Obama has indicated to me, that he wants this department to promote nutrition through the use of healthy fruits and vegetables," Vilsack said.

Steve - while a drop in the bucket, this is hopefully the first of many victories for advancing nutrition with this administration!