The Senate Agriculture Committee held a confirmation hearing Tuesday for USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services nominee Kevin W. Concannon. Concannon, who previously worked with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in Iowa, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate later this month. As under secretary, Concannon will provide leadership and policy direction for USDA's Food and Nutrition Service which administers all child nutrition programs as well as the supplemental nutrition assistance program (formerly known as the food stamps program).

"We are looking forward to working with Mr. Concannon and USDA to accomplish our goal of including more fresh fruits and vegetables and salad bars in school meals," said United Fresh Vice President of Nutrition and Health Dr. Lorelei DiSogra. "Congress is expected to start work on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization in the fall and Mr. Concannon will play a major role in driving the administration’s priorities."

Questioning during the confirmation hearing included pressure from Committee Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), who asked if Concannon would support making the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines the basis of official federal nutrition policy. Concannon replied that he understands there are pilot programs in place to provide incentives to encourage the purchase of fruits and vegetables, and those programs will be reviewed for effectiveness. He said he shares the committee's broad concerns with nutrition and looks forward to working with all segments of the food chain to improve nutritional habits.

Additionally during the confirmation hearing, Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) said the committee is "going to start the process" of providing Secretary Vilsack with jurisdiction over all foods sold in schools.

For more information on the hearing, please contact Dr. DiSogra at 202-303-3400.