Statement by Former Secretaries of Agriculture Dan Glickman and Ann M. Veneman and Former Secretaries of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt and Donna E. Shalala on the White House Announcement on Food Access

Former Secretaries co-chair the Bipartisan Policy Center's Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by former Secretaries of Agriculture Dan Glickman and Ann M. Veneman and former Secretaries of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt and Donna E. Shalala, Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative, following the announcement by First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America on access to healthy, affordable food in underserved communities.

"We applaud Walmart, Walgreens, SUPERVALU and regional retailers including Brown's Super Stores, Calhoun's Grocery, Klein's Family Markets, and the California FreshWorks Fund for their commitment to expanding more than 1,500 stores in communities across the country where access to nutritious food is limited. Their work serves as a great example of the important role public-private partnerships play in improving our nation's health.

"As Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative, access to healthy food is one of the issue areas we intend to explore over the course of next year. It is part of our year-long effort to develop recommendations on improving access to healthy food and physical activity for all Americans.

"Today more than one third of adults—roughly 72 million people—are obese and one in three children are overweight or obese. With the dramatic increase in obesity in the United States and the rising costs of health care, we must find innovative ways to offer better nutrition to all Americans. These new stores will reach rural and urban areas where food deserts exist. There is no doubt that when the private sector, foundations and the government team up to solve our nation's challenges, progress is made. We commend the First Lady's leadership in helping to rally the business sector in extending their reach and providing healthier food options to underserved communities."

The BPC's Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative brings together key experts, policymakers and stakeholders to identify opportunities for bipartisan collaboration on food, health and fitness issues. The Initiative focuses on four key issue areas: improving nutrition education; developing mechanisms to promote access to healthy food choices; the role of institutional players and opportunities for partnerships between the public and private sectors; and removing obstacles to increased physical activity. The year-long effort will culminate in the release of a set of policy recommendations for the administration, Congress and the private sector to consider.

About the Bipartisan Policy Center:
Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a non-profit organization that drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation, and respectful dialogue. With projects in multiple issue areas, BPC combines politically-balanced policymaking with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach. For more information, please visit our website: www.bipartisanpolicy.org

SOURCE Bipartisan Policy Center

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