WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), the leading Congressional advocate for equity in educational opportunity, hailed the U.S. Department of Education report on school expenditures today as building a compelling case for Fattah’s bill to close a loophole and provide more resources for schools that serve low-income students. 

“This valuable report provides the hard data for what we have known all along about unequal funding in our schools,” Fattah said. “And that is what underlies the need for my Fiscal Fairness Act that has won bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.”

The report, released by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at a national press conference call, found that 40 percent of schools serving large numbers of low-income students are receiving less state and local aid than are schools serving their wealthier peers in the same school district. 

“This finding calls into question the effectiveness of the current so-called ‘comparability’ requirement in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which my legislation seeks to reform,” Fattah said.

“This report only confirms what we have observed for decades: The children in the greatest need are receiving the least resources.  No one thinks that’s a formula for success,” Fattah said.

“I want to thank Secretary Duncan for this valuable research.  He has called for a national conversation about where our resources are going, and where they’re needed.  This report is going to help address that very issue.”

“Comparability” requires that school districts show a level funding base across schools before adding federal aid.  The federal Title I dollars are meant to compensate for the additional costs of educating children in concentrated poverty. 

“The Education Department’s report documents on a national scale that instead of providing additional money, school districts frequently use Title I money to fill holes left by state and local expenditures,” Fattah said. 

With the ESEA up for reauthorization, Congressman Fattah is the author of the ESEA Fiscal Fairness Act, H.R. 1294 to close the loopholes that allow these inequities to continue.  Fattah’s reform plan has won partners across the Capitol, where Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) have introduced the companion bill as S. 701. 

The U.S. Department of Education report, a survey of 13,000 school districts, and an accompanying policy brief, analyze school level expenditures from the 2009 school year: “The Potential Impact of Revising the Title I Comparability Requirement to Focus on School-Level Expenditures.” (Follow links on www.ed.gov for the news release, full report and policy summary).

Senate Education Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Mike Enzi (R-WY) recently introduced a reauthorization of ESEA, borrowing largely from the Fattah legislation and its Bennet-Cochran counterpart. 

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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New initiative of ChildObesity180 has the potential to improve the health of tens of millions of children every year

BOSTON, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — ChildObesity180, an alliance of multi-sector national leaders committed to reversing the trend of childhood obesity, announced today a unique partnership of leading out-of-school-time organizations that have united to adopt consistent principles for nutrition and physical activity.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111130/DC14728)

The Healthy Kids Out of School initiative, launched at the Partnership for a Healthier America’s Building a Healthier Future Summit today, is a collaboration between Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, the National Council of La Raza, the National Council of Youth Sports, the National Urban League, Pop Warner, US Youth Soccer, YMCA of the USA, and the National 4-H Council.

The leaders of these organizations, convened by ChildObesity180, developed universal nutrition and physical activity principles from a broad list of evidenced-based recommendations for combating childhood obesity – marking the first time leaders from these groups have worked together toward a common goal.

“Healthy Kids Out of School represents a groundbreaking collaboration of major youth-focused groups in a new and strategic effort,” said Peter Dolan, chairman of ChildObesity180. “These organizations are demonstrating the essential leadership and cooperation necessary to counter the childhood obesity epidemic and to meaningfully improve the health and well-being of the tens of millions children who participate in their programs.”

A significant percentage of school-aged children in the U.S. are enrolled in out-of-school-time activities, including a large number of rural, urban, and low-income children who are particularly vulnerable to the poor health outcomes linked to childhood obesity. Because of this broad reach, out-of-school programs have been identified as a promising area for promoting healthy habits and preventing childhood obesity.

However, there has been great variability in the foods and beverages served and opportunities for physical activity offered to children participating in out-of-school programs.

Recognizing this opportunity for action, leaders from the nine ChildObesity180-affiliated organizations identified and agreed upon three sustainable, actionable principles that are sufficiently flexible for adaptation to local environments and cultures. They are:

• Drink Right: Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages.
• Move More: Boost movement and physical activity in all programs. 
• Snack Smart: Fuel up on fruits and vegetables.

“The National Urban League is pleased to join ChildObesity180 and our national partners in this collaborative movement. Many children in communities of color are more likely to be obese and live in unsafe communities where there are few opportunities for physical activity and limited access to healthy food,” said National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial. “Now, by adopting these three principles in after school programs and as a part of out-of-school-time activities, we are coming together to offer our children practical, smart, cost-effective measures for a lifetime of lessons about healthy food choices and physical activity.”

In addition to developing the framework for these principles, the Healthy Kids Out of School initiative will develop a comprehensive implementation plan to connect organizations with the local resources needed to help adopt the principles.

“Aligning these organizations with unifying principles ensures that all children who participate in out-of-school programs are consistently encouraged to eat and drink healthfully and to be active, regardless of where they spend their time out of school,” said Christina D. Economos, Ph.D., associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and director of ChildObesity180. “ChildObesity180 and its partners are committed to pursuing these kinds of results-oriented strategies that are innovative and ambitious and that champion the best interests of children and their futures.”

About ChildObesity180
Healthy Kids Out of School is the first of several major initiatives that ChildObesity180 will execute to combat childhood obesity. ChildObesity180 fosters cross-sector collaboration to reverse the trend of childhood obesity within one generation’s time. Charter members are national leaders from the public, nonprofit, academic, and private sectors who are using their reach and expertise to drive an integrated national strategy of high-impact initiatives to prevent childhood obesity. ChildObesity180 is chaired by Peter Dolan and directed and co-directed by leading obesity researchers Christina Economos, PhD, and Miriam Nelson, PhD, of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Founded in 2009, ChildObesity180 is conducted in collaboration with Tufts University; the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation serves as a core strategic partner of ChildObesity180. For more information, visit www.ChildObesity180.org.

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise™.  For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

SOURCE Tufts University

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Jorge Munoz to speak on the importance of community involvement

DALLAS, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Jorge Munoz, a New York City school bus driver and founder of the non-profit An Angel in Queens, will be giving special remarks at Parents Step Ahead’s (PSA) 6th Annual “Parent of the Year” Gala. The event will be held this Friday, Dec. 2 at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center.

PSA’s annual “Parent of the Year” gala honors parents who are making a difference in their children’s educational and personal development. Parents are nominated based on PSA program participation and two essays: one written by the parent on his/her involvement in their child’s education and the second written by the child about why their parent should be named “Parent of the Year.”

Jorge Munoz began his unorthodox meal program in 2004 and now feeds up to 140 day laborers every day. An Angel in Queens operates on little more than what Munoz can spare from his weekly paycheck as a school bus driver, a few donations from local restaurants, and the help of his family. He was recognized in 2009 as a CNN Hero and in 2010 received the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor, in recognition of his exemplary deeds of service for his fellow citizens. 

“It is a real honor to have a person so willing to give, without expecting anything in return, at our event,” said Lupita Colmenero, founder of PSA. “Jorge Munoz is a great example of the change that a single citizen can bring about, and is an inspiration for us to improve our communities.”

For more information please visit www.parentsstepahead.org.  

About Parents Step Ahead
Parents Step Ahead is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization with a mission “to recognize, educate, enable and empower parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children.” The organization works in partnership with school districts, corporations and community organizations to offer a series of school-based programs for parents of all backgrounds throughout the school calendar year to demonstrate the importance of parental involvement. Programs are free and include dinner, childcare, and the raffle of prizes and culminate with the raffle of a desktop computer.

SOURCE Parents Step Ahead

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Jorge Muñoz hablará de la importancia de la participación en la comunidad

DALLAS, 29 de noviembre del 2011 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Jorge Muñoz, conductor de autobuses escolares en Nueva York y fundador de la organización no lucrativa Un Ángel en Queens, traerá un mensaje especial a la sexta celebración anual de “El Padre del Año” de la organización Padres un Paso Adelante (PSA). El evento se llevará a cabo el 2 de diciembre en el Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center.

La Ceremonia del “Padre del Año” de PSA reconoce a los padres que por su involucramiento en las escuelas crean un impacto positivo en el desarrollo de sus hijos. Las nominaciones se basan en la participación en los programas de PSA y dos ensayos; uno escrito por el padre y otro escrito por su hijo/hija.

Jorge Muñoz comenzó un programa de repartición de alimentos en el 2004 y ahora proporciona comidas a más de 140 jornaleros diario. Un Ángel en Queens opera con poco más de lo que puede disponer el Sr. Muñoz de su sueldo semanal, donaciones de restaurantes locales, y la ayuda de su familia. En el 2009 fue reconocido como uno de los Heroes de la cadena de televisión CNN y en el 2010 recibió la Medalla Presidencial Para Ciudadanos, el segundo honor más alto otorgado a un civil, por su servicio a la comunidad.

“Es un verdadero honor contar con un hombre que ha hecho de su misión dar, sin pedir nada a cambio, en nuestro evento “, dijo Lupita Colmenero, fundadora de PSA. “Jorge Muñoz es un ejemplo claro del impacto que puede tener una sola persona, y una inspiración de cómo  mejorar nuestras comunidades”.

Para más información visite www.parentsstepahead.org.

Acerca de Padres un Paso Adelante

Padres un Paso Adelante es una organización sin fines de lucro, 501-C3 cuya misión es “reconocer, educar y habilitar a los padres a involucrarse de manera activa en la vida personal y educacional de sus hijos.” La organización trabaja con distritos escolares, corporaciones y organizaciones comunitarias para ofrecer serie de seminarios en los que se resalta el efecto que tiene la participación de los padres de familia en la vida escolar de sus hijos. Los eventos son gratuitos e incluyen comida, guardería, premios y la rifa de computadoras.

FUENTE  Parents Step Ahead

FUENTE Parents Step Ahead

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Dean Foods business units – Fresh Dairy Direct, Morningstar and WhiteWave – generated nearly 40 million pounds of product donations in less than four years

DALLAS, Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — At a time of year when hunger is in the spotlight, Dean Foods (NYSE: DF), a leading provider of wholesome, nutritious dairy products in the United States, is proud to be recognized for its efforts to fight hunger by being named a national Mission Partner by Feeding America. Since 2008, Dallas-based Dean Foods donated nearly 40 million pounds of food and dairy products, hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours of volunteerism to fight hunger in communities with Dean Foods operations.

The company’s Fresh Dairy Direct-Morningstar segment is the largest U.S. processor and distributor of milk, creamers, and cultured dairy products marketed under more than 50 local and regional dairy brands, as well as through private labels. The WhiteWave segment produces and sells an array of branded dairy, soy and plant-based beverages and foods, including Silk® soy, almond and coconut milk, Horizon Organic® milk and dairy products, International Delight® coffee creamers, and LAND O LAKES® creamers.

Feeding America is the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity with a nationwide network of member food banks.

According to Feeding America, in 2010 alone, Dean Foods donated more than 12 million pounds of food that served more than 20,000 charities throughout 32 states across the Feeding America network. Below are just a few of those stories.

Dean Foods Support in Local Communities

Community Food Share, Boulder, Colo.

“The impact WhiteWave has had on our ability to fulfill our mission is significant, real and lasting,” said James Baldwin, CEO, Community Food Share. For decades, WhiteWave has helped Community Food Share in its mission to ensure that the people of Boulder and Broomfield counties have access to nutritious food. This has included unique sponsorships, milk and other product donations, and a $250,000 grant to support a new warehouse, allowing the food bank to serve more people.

Each year, Colorado employees participate in the Community Food Share’s Compete to Beat Hunger Corporate Challenge. In 2011, 99.5 percent of WhiteWave’s Colorado-based employees donated to the Corporate Challenge, and with the company matching their donations dollar for dollar, raised enough money to provide more than 463,000 meals to local people in need.

Blaine McPeak, President of WhiteWave Foods, puts the efforts into perspective. “As a food company, focusing efforts on eliminating hunger is an obvious match with our mission and vision as a company. But more importantly, it’s the right fit in the hearts and minds of our employees.”

North Texas Food Bank, Dallas, Texas

Dean Foods and the Dean Foods Foundation have supported NTFB for more than 10 years, providing critical funds, product, volunteer support and board leadership. Last year alone, hundreds of employees from Dean Foods corporate offices and local dairy plants collected food or volunteered to help package more than 100,000 meals for hungry families in North Texas. Dean Foods underscores employees’ year-round dedication for the cause by regularly donating and discounting product to NTFB, helping deliver more than 6 million pounds of dairy products to hungry families over the years of the partnership. Chris Sliva, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, is also a dedicated member of the NTFB board.

In addition, the Dean Foods Foundation has also pledged $300,000 over three years to NTFB programs that feed and provide nutrition education to at-risk children and youth. The grant is the largest corporate foundation pledge ever received by NTFB.

In 2011, Dean Foods partnered with Tetra Pak to donate 276,000 8-oz. single-serve cartons of shelf-stable milk to the Food 4 Kids backpack nutrition program, a value of more than $100,000. And during the World Series, Dean Foods donated $100 for each Texas Rangers home run and St. Louis Cardinals strikeout, generating $5,100 – or enough to provide 15,300 meals.

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York

The Garelick Farms plant in Rensselaer, NY, has long supported the Regional Food Bank. Recently, the company committed itself to a structured donation program whereby processed milk is sent weekly to the Food Bank for distribution to member agencies. “Milk is a highly valued donation because of its nutritional value and role as a staple ingredient in balanced meals,” said Joanne Dwyer, Director of Food Industry Relations and Business Development Representative. “We truly appreciate Garelick Farms’ dedication to donating food and its financial support of the Food Bank.”

Greater Boston Food Bank

Garelick Farms in Massachusetts embraces its hometown food bank as well. The Greater Boston Food Bank supplies food for as many as 545,000 people throughout the 190 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts. Garelick Farms Massachusetts operations provide milk for GBFB’s Kids Cafe Program, which provides nutritious meals to more than 1,700 children after school each day. In addition, Garelick Farms made a $50,000 contribution to GBFB’s capital campaign to help fund its recently completed state-of-the-art distribution center in Boston. 

Second Harvest Heartland, St. Paul, Minn.

In 2010, Second Harvest Heartland created the Hunger Hero awards to recognize the scale of effort put forth by certain community partners. The Dean Foods plant in Woodbury, MN, was named the inaugural Hunger Hero in the Food Donor category for donating more than 900,000 pounds of milk that served approximately 1,000 food bank programs. Moreover, the company opted to forgo a holiday party and instead donated those funds to Second Harvest Heartland, delivering an additional 1,500 gallons of milk to families over the holiday season.

Hawaii Food Bank

Meadow Gold Hawaii raised $3,600 and collected more than 1,000 pounds of food for the Hawaii Food Bank this year. Employees generously donated canned goods and made monetary contributions, but the highlight of the employee effort was the Dunk-A-Manager event where employees paid $1 for an attempt to dunk a manager of their choice. The food drive culminated with Meadow Gold drivers volunteering their time to pick up donated food from numerous post offices after the well-known Letter Carrier’s Food Drive and delivering it back to the Food Bank – more than 29,000 pounds of canned food. Meadow Gold drivers are already volunteering for next year’s campaign.

Feeding America West Michigan

Country Fresh General Manager Kevin Begin is no stranger to the Feeding America West Michigan food bank, currently serving a three-year term as the president of the board. Combined, Country Fresh and WhiteWave are the food bank’s fourth largest donor, contributing over 1.13 million pounds of food in 2010. Recognizing the value of information and experience, Country Fresh hosted the Feeding America West Michigan distribution staff at the plant to share operational best practices, helping the food bank improve efficiencies.

South Plains Food Bank, Lubbock, Texas

Gandy’s Dairy in Lubbock supports the South Plains Food Bank in a variety of ways including sponsorship of the holiday ‘U Can Share’ food drive, subsidizing milk for the 21 after-school Kids Cafe feeding program locations, and volunteerism. No one has more experience with the latter than Kyle Rogers, Gandy’s Key Accounts Manager and immediate past president of the South Plains Food Bank board of directors. In fact, Kyle has been involved at the board level since 1995, and has volunteered with the food bank for more than two decades.

ABOUT DEAN FOODS

Dean Foods is one of the leading food and beverage companies in the United States and a European leader in branded soy foods and beverages. The Company’s Fresh Dairy Direct-Morningstar segment is the largest U.S. processor and distributor of milk, creamers, and cultured dairy products. These offerings are marketed under more than 50 local and regional dairy brands, as well as through private labels. The WhiteWave-Alpro segment produces and sells an array of branded dairy, soy and plant-based beverages and foods. WhiteWave brands, including Silk® soy, almond and coconut milk, Horizon Organic® milk and dairy products, International Delight® coffee creamers, and LAND O LAKES® creamers, are category leaders and consumer favorites. Alpro is the pan-European leader in branded soy food products.

CONTACT: Corporate Communications, Jamaison Schuler, +1-214-721-7766; or Investor Relations, Barry Sievert, +1-214-303-3438

SOURCE Dean Foods Company

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