Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven met with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the White House to discuss the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Strategy, focusing on the needs of U.S. agriculture producers and school nutrition professionals. The meeting took place in the Roosevelt Room, where Hoeven emphasized the importance of crop protection tools for family farmers and flexibility in dietary guidelines for school nutrition.

Hoeven, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, highlighted two main points: "Access to proven safe crop protection tools is critical to the ongoing success of family farmers, as well as the affordability and security of the U.S. food supply." He also noted that dietary guideline flexibility is crucial so "school nutrition professionals can serve meals students will actually eat without breaking their budget."

Secretary Kennedy committed to consulting extensively with farm and school nutrition groups before finalizing any strategy. Hoeven stated, "Considering the growing prevalence and impact of chronic disease in the U.S., it makes sense to take a careful, comprehensive look at the factors that are contributing to this issue." He stressed that stakeholders should be involved in policy formation based on sound science.

Hoeven further remarked on the reliance of farmers on crop protection tools backed by decades of safety evidence to maintain a high-quality, low-cost food supply. He also acknowledged challenges faced by school nutritionists in providing appealing and affordable healthy meals. "Their concerns need to be addressed as the MAHA Strategy moves forward," Hoeven said, appreciating Kennedy's commitment to including farmers and school nutrition professionals in discussions.

Senator Hoeven was accompanied by other members of the Senate Agriculture Committee during this meeting, including Chairman John Boozman and Senators Chuck Grassley, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Roger Marshall.