san francisco is lucky enough to have a grant from the usda to provide summer lunch. this is the first year they will be hosting a summer lunch program. given the change in the school district's calendar, it will run nine weeks. we are now making a nine week program. we are excited that we will have the opportunity to provide summer launched throughout the city. we're looking to provide summer lunch at 85 different sites throughout the city. we have served approximately 4000 lunches a day. we are looking for approximately 5000 lunches a day this year. one of the reasons we can serve more is that we are being more strategic and targeted with our outreach. we can make sure that those summer lunches are provided and the rec -- at the rec centers. another really exciting thing about the summer lunch is we have been able to augment our funding to the vendor that pro vides the summer lunches fo rus. -- for us. we hear from young people that they don't want to eat the summer lunches because it does not taste good. we are trying to find a vendor to provide the tasty lunches, a

today the usda announced that a recipe created by these high school students is among 15 semifinalists in a national competition that range foretaste, cost, and nutrition. >> it actually made my day. >> reporter: the teacher worked with the students to create an original recipe. >> after a few tries it came out really good. >> reporter: this 17-year-old had never tasted chickpeas before the challenge. >> is good. i like it. >> reporter: it is part of michelle obama's nationwide campaign to improve overall health and fitness been out of their school is in the running, many students hope the dish will be a hit with the judges. >> it is good. i think it should wind. >> reporter: if they are named as one of the top three finalists they will be sent to new orleans for a national cookoff with the students will get to cook side-by-side with white house chefs. jana katsuyama, ktvu channel 2 news. >> there is also an online competition where you can vote for the school of your choice. we have posted a link for you on the ktvu.com. >>> a new tax would replace to current parcel taxes and it is ex

schwartz: the usda asked that i go to herminie and provide an independent evaluation of the problems to determine if it was severe enough to warrant funding. i've worked in a lot of communities in pennsylvania, i've seen a lot of things that were pretty startling, however, the trip to herminie absolutely, um... astounded me. i wrote a letter to usda, saying that it was the worst thing i'd ever seen in pennsylvania and that if they could award funding, that they do so. and they did. they did. over $15 million, grant and loan, for that project. mcmillen: and it took years to get funding. what kept this project going was the steadfastness of the community -- they knew they needed sewage, and they just kept plugging along till we got through every issue that came up. the project will consist of 44 miles of line that we're going to put in, and a treatment plant. it will permanently eliminate the problem, the health hazards. i anticipate a definite regrowth in herminie, and it will be a good thing for everybody. zdravecky: maybe it won't help me too much because i'm an old lady, but whoeve

the usda has every day, is that not true? >> i believe so. >> again, my question then comes when we have the folks every day. we have a plan that has been on for the critical control point and considered in appearing scientific application of the state-of-the-art systems. every meat plant designs their own system in accordance with the usda requirements must operate successfully. we do not need an inspector at every plant everyday. we operate the same whether instructors are present or not. i would say from an attendant lifetime, with a lot more important from snapshots time to time. we have folks in the plant everyday come usda inspectors watching what these people do. in addition to that, we send in another group that comes into go over what they already have gone over. and i would that happens, these aren't large meat processors. small place that may be 4050 employees. they've got to stop what they're doing and spend a week going over the plan, which has gone over every day with the usda inspector. i'm just trying to unders

the usda has every day, is that not true? >> i believe so. >> again, my question then comes when we have the folks every day. we have a plan that has been on for the critical control point and considered in appearing scientific application of the state-of-the-art systems. every meat plant designs their own system in accornce with the usda requirements must operate successfully. we do not need an inspector at every plant everyday. we operate the same whether instructors are present or not. i would say from an attendant lifetime, with a lot more important from snapshots time to time. we have folks in the plant everyday come usda inspectors watching what these people o. inddition to that, we send in another group that comes into go over what they already have gone over. and i would that happens, these aren't large meat processors. small place that may be 4050 employees. they've got to stop what they'r doing and spend a week going over the plan, which has gone over every day with the usda inspector. i'm just trying to understand i

we have doubled our efforts with the usda to communicate better. particulate matter, which most people would call dust, there has been no regulatory changes proposed. there has been a steady. the study interestingly enough says against a kuwaiti maintaining the current standards as it does changing them. there has been a regulatory decision made. we just as sessions in iowa and missouri about that very matter. we need to find ways to get out and speak to people where they are and explain to them. i actually agree with you. americans do not want dirty air. farmers rely on clean water for their livelihood. we need to ensure we are doing everything we can to communicate with the usda, but also the states. >> my time is about up. i would ask you to recommit or think through that. i can assure you that the political backlash is real. it has real consequences. i do not know if we are going to fort too fast. i have opinions on these things individually. attitudinal league and atmospherically in a political sense, there is a reason all of this is happening.

the usda has every day, is that not true? >> i believe so. >> again, my question then comes when we have the folks every day. we have a plan that has been on for the critical control point and considered in appearing scientific application of the state-of-the-art systems. every meat plant designs their own system in accordance with the usda requirements must operate successfully. we do not need an inspector at every plant everyday. we operate the same whether instructors are present or not. i would say from an attendant lifetime, with a lot more important from snapshots time to time. we have folks in the plant everyday come usda inspectors watching what these people do. in addition to that, we send in another group that comes into go over what they already have gone over. and i would that happens, these aren't large meat processors. small place that may be 4050 employees. they've got to stop what they're doing and spend a week going over the plan, which has gone over every day with the usda inspector. i'm just trying to unders

. >> well, the usda predicts food prices will climb 3% to 4%. but why? id a little digging and checked with experts on how you can save. have you checked the prices at the checkout lately? food prices are getting higher and higher. cereal and baked goods jumping 4.5%. dairy up 5.5%. and fruits and veggies, 3% to 4%. what's to blame? a bad weather. it slashed the amount of food farmers produced. according to the usda, corn reserves are at their lowest level in 15 years. and that's especially a problem since ethanol uses a quarter of the corn harvested. throw inflation in to the recipe and the results are not good. >> rising food prices huge issue for consumers. chances are you'll see bigger price tags at your local pizza place or deli. it's the reality we're all facing. >> reporter: but for day to day shoppers, the supermarkets will be the place most will feel the bite. prices on some items may look the same, but consumer advocates say the packages have shrunk. orange juice has a few ounces shaved. air pumped in to yogurt containers. just a few ways expert

funding for the revolving funds, there is money for rural systems, and that is added to the money from the usda, who spends a lot of rural development money as well. >> i will let you know -- i will submit some of these in writing, because i am hard to track today. 200 senators and representatives asked for technical assistance and training grants to small water systems. i believe the epa has chosen under your leadership to go a different route. i am going to right with you and work with you to encourage -- to encourage you to revisit what seems to be working well in wyoming with regard to training grants for small water systems. the small communities do not have the expertise. you were in pennsylvania, correct? there may be some communities in new jersey that are small enough -- you know what i am talking about. they're really struggle to comply and they want to provide clean water to their water users. but that really does seem to go along way. we will talk further about that. another question i have is about -- has epa conducted or as foreign impact -- as foreign impact study on a specific s

>> the usda projects that food prices are going to go up this year anywhere between 3% and 4%.oil. so we could see prices increase even more significantly there. and you have to think about food that comes from a farther distance is probably going to be more expensive because of those fuel costs and the cost of transporting it to your home. >> okay. so that's our problem. give me a solution. >> okay. you have a couple of websites out there that are going to help you save money on food. couponsuzy. always a good idea to use coupons when you're buying. this will take the price down, as well as candy.com. because candy prices are going to go up, as well. candy.com is a cheaper alternative. >> you can't raise the prices on candy. let's talk about food delivery and how this is now going to be spiking, as well. >> well, food delivery, of course, involves transportation, as well. when you look at a pizza parlor, you might not see the prices go up on the pizza itself. but you might see an additional added delivery fee. so make sure that you're checking for those delivery fees, because

at this stage, we are battling with epa and the usda to look at what we have. they have invited us to, and they have looked at its, but there is still that way to -- wait. as you probably know, there are over 600 landfills over 35 states. >> one of the writers that passed in the house was to stop epa from acting in this area. the epa is talking to you and to others. this is toxic air pollution problems. it causes cancer and birth defects. in the case of mercury, it poison our kids. the republican majority wanted to stop the epa from acting. your frustration is to get the epa to act. there are some rules and regulations that the republicans want to stop that and then in the process of being developed over a 10-year period trade is an incredibly long period of time when you recognize how many people other than hertz. it took lawsuits -- how many people have been hurt. it took lawsuits. the epa is determined to deal responsibly with their obligations under the law. we will continue to conduct oversight to be sure that they are doing what they need to do. republica

it is either just three the usda or three potential one of two other options. e is only available in the crisis for a limited guarantee. guarantees are perilous. government and not good at doing them. there are huge losses. we are committed to avoiding that. with them very careful to say that any of these options were there. he can keep the politics out of the design. >> the packages at non this as well. it is not as the implicit or explicit nature of the guarantee. it is the pricing of the guarantee that is critical. one of the key elements is that the guarantees at fannie mae and freddie mac because they were implicit were not set the race -- the right pricing level. that contributed to their lack of adequate reserves. in the case of fha, we have remained able to operate through the crisis without our reserves dropping below zero. they have dropped significantly. we have inexpressible a pay for a guarantee. >> to believe the loan limit should be reduced beyond error levels? what figure and time frame would you target? >> we believe they should be allowed to a

the usda estimated that such cuts will result in $11 billion loss in productivity. additionally meat and poultry production is supposed to grow over the next year. if we decrease funding for food safety, there will be fewer insmectors to examine our food and -- inspectors to examine our food and make sure it's acceptable for consumption. mr. speaker, this is one example how we need to dissect each cut and the impact it will have in the real world. i hope this chamber can come together, make sensible decision when is it comes to reducing our deficit. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> since the time president obama took office in 2009, the price of gasoline has more than doubled from $1.53 a gallon to $3.52 cents. america has become more dependent on foreign oil, undermining our national security while forcing hardworking americans to endure budget busting gasoline prices. when you fill up your ca

the usda has already halted imports of dare goods and produce from the effected area.est development -- tiny amounts of fallout from the japanese nuclear plant have been detected as far away as iceland. that is according to the country's radiation safety authority. they say it could reach france and other european countries soon, but again, it's important to note, experts insist they pose no health risks. peggy and rob? >> shocking to here how far away they are finding that radiation. akiko fujita, thank you so much. >>> serious questions being asked in detroit now that more details are known about a potentially disastrous situation there. police removed a device from the city's federal building on friday. it turned out to be a bomb. here's the stunning part in all this. the package was inside the building for three weeks. it had been carried inside by a security guard and left in a lost and found room. an x-ray revealed the contents. guards are getting more training now on security protocol. >>> in the middle east, israel has begun a series of air strikes aimed at ham

. >>> according to the usda americans consume 34 teaspoons of sugar every day and more than double ther game. >> a little sugar, a little salt. >> we do have a requirement for salt. that's about 2,400 milligrams. is that a lot? i want you to answer, is it a teaspoon or a tablespoon -- >> tablespoon. >> no. it's a teaspoon. >> a day? >> a day. >> that's all? >> that's all you have a little bit of requirement. most of it comes from packaged foods. if you cut that out you're going to be doing pretty well. >> when you go out you don't know how much salt they're putting in your food. >> and how. let's start with condiments. we all like to wake up the sleeping flavor of our foods. which one of these has the lowest amount of sodium per tablespoon. ketchup, soy sauce or -- >> you're right. even the low sodium soy. >> hoda has her ketchup with about six pounds of french fries. and they already have salt on them. >> beware of that. when something says less sodium, doesn't always mean that's low. you guys are smart. we all know canned foods are a sodium nightmare. tons of salt. what if you're in

>> i do think that if fha is the sole guarantor with va and usda plan a smaller role, but that they are the sole guarantor is particularly in the wake of a crisis, then there is certainly a risk that we take on a much larger footprint in the market then would happen under options two or three. that is something that we consider, and to work collaboratively with the committee to ensure that fha is prepared to take on a larger footprint in a crisis as we've done in this one. there are many issues. systems, around procurement, ensuring we have the ability to operate effectively and efficiency as we stepped up in a crisis, does the things that ought to be an essential part of what we're looking at as we consider reform to the gse's. >> senator shelby. >> secretary donovan, quoting your words, the administration is fully committed to exploring other measures to make sure that secondary market participants are providing capital to all communities. then secretary geithner said, government-supported incentives for housing to distort the markets. on the one in use in the administration is fully

at this stage, we are battling with epa and the usda to look at what we have. they have invited us to, and they have looked at its, but there is still that way to -- wait. as you probably know, there are over 600andfills over 35 states. >> one of the writers that passed in the house was to stop epa from acting in this area. the epa is talking to you and to others. this is toxic air pollution problems. it causes cancer and birth defects. in the case of mercury, it poison our kids. the republican majority wanted to stop the epa from acting. your frustration is to get the epa to act. there are some rules and regulations that the republicans want to stop that and then in the process of being developed over a 10-year period trade is an incredibly long period of time when you recognize how many people other than hertz. it took lawsuits -- how many people have been hurt. it took lawsuits. the epa is determined tdeal responsibly with their obligations under the law. we will continue to conduct oversight to be sure that they are doing what they need to do. republicans m

at this stage, we are battling with epa and the usda to look at what we have. they have invited us to, and they have looked at its, but there is still that way to -- wait. as you probably know, there are over 600 landfills over 35 states. >> one of the writers that passed in the house was to stop epa from acting in this area. the epa is talking to you and to others. this is toxic air pollution problems. it causes cancer and birth defects. in the case of mercury, it poison our kids. the republican majority wanted to stop the epa from acting. your frustration is to get the epa to act. there are some rules and regulations that the republicans want to stop that and then in the process of being developed over a 10-year period trade is an incredibly long period of time when you recognize how many people other than hertz. it took lawsuits -- how many people have been hurt. it took lawsuits. the epa is determined to deal responsibly with their obligations under the law. we will continue to conduct oversight to be sure that they are doing what they need to do. republica

the water shed implementation plans. we are also working very closely with usda. because as you might expect, agriculture is a significant player. not the only player here. so states have really done an amazing amount of technical work, and i would hate to see us lose time on the chesapeake bay. >> thank you. mr. chairman, i've got a number of questions on greenhouse gas. i suspect that we want to try to get everybody in the first round. i'll yield back. thank you. >> mr. chairman. >> thank you, mr. chairman. in june 2009, epa signed a men ran dumb -- memorandum of understanding with the corps of engineers to reduce quote the environmental affects of appalachian mining. end of quote. in conjunction, epa later released what was called guidance. which putting in place unachievable thresholds for water quality measurements which everyone but you believe are arbitrary based on the unsound science, it preempted the state water quality programs, targets only coal mining. specifically, appalachian coal mining. when the clean air -- clean water act applies to industries su

the heavy metals in it. we have been trying to devise a solution for that. we have met with epa, usda because if you can read mediates the toxic metals from the fly ash, we have looked at take an intermediate fly ash and combining it with manure and coming up with an organic supplement with a reintroduction of trace minerals. what it does is optimized production. plant growth and production. at this stage, we are battling with epa, usda to look at what we have. they have invited us to, and they have looked at it. it is still that waait. people are still, as you probably know, there are probably over 600 fly ash when fields -- land feels over 35 states. >> there was one call to stop epa in acting in this area. epa is talking to about what to do with this. this is toxic air pollution problems. this causes cancer and birth defects. in the case of mercury, it poisons our kids. the republican majority wanted to stop epa from enacting. pure frustration was to get epa to act. there are some rules and regulations that the republicans want to stop that have been in the process of being develop

the watershed implementation. are also working very closely with usda because as you might expect agriculture is a significant player, not the only player here. so states have really done an amazing amount of technical work and i would hate to see us lose time in the chesapeake bay. >> thank you. mr. chairman, i've got a number of questions a greenhouse gas, but i suspect we want to get everyone in the first round. >> mr. chairman. >> thank you, mr. chairman. in june 2009 come epa signed a memorandum of funders and being with the corps of engineers and the interior department to quote reduce the harmful environmental effects of oscillation surface coal mining. and in conjunction come epa later released but was called guidance, which puts them plays in achievable thresholds for water quality management, which everyone but you leave or arbitrary and based on unsound science. preempted, well-established state water quality programs targets only coal mining, specifically appellation call my name. when the clean water act a price to industries such as road construction development, firming, construction on the lake, a se

>> i do think that if fha is the sole guarantor with va and usda plan a smaller role, but that they are the sole guarantor is particularly in the wake of a crisis, then there is certainly a risk that we take on a much larger footprint in the market then would happen under options two or three. that is something that we consider, and the work clabber delete with the committee to ensure that fha is prepared -- and to work collaborative leave with the committee to ensure that fha is prepared to take on a larger footprint in a crisis as we've done in this one. there are many issues. systems, around procurement, ensuring we have the ability to operate effectively and efficiency as we stepped up in a crisis, does the things that ought to be an essential part of what we're looking at as we consider reform to the gse's. >> senator shelby. >> secretary donovan, quoting your words, the administration is fully committed to exploring other measures to make sure that secondary market participants are providing capital to all communities. then secretary geithner said, government-supported incentives

president, that the agencies have been extremely cooperative, particularly the department of defense, usda, department of health and human services, and the department of energy. they have the lion's share, health and human services, of these research budgets. d.o.d., it's not an insignificant amount. it's over $1 billion. the department of defense will invest in small businesses to get the best technologies available, like the radiator technology they need for our tanks. h.h.s. has 615 million dollars. it's a very small part of their total research budget but an important part. when they put out the challenge to small businesses in america to come up with the next newest vaccine or the next medical technology or information technology that saves taxpayer money and helps provide better quality of life for all americans, that word will go out from h.h.h. d.o.e. has $150 million available to invest in small business. nasa, $125 million, just to name a few. so not only will the taxpayers benefit, but small businesses as well. many of these advanced technologies developed by businesses that co

the tentative proposals that came out in december. we have a comment period and federal trade commission and center for disease control, usda and you. it is something that concerns me. the potential of reach based on these guidelines that are sitting on the table right now and having a comment period. under these guidelines, the food that would not be allowed to be advertised on television shows in which 50% of the audience is children could include peanut butter sandwiches, eggs, granola bars, chocolate milk, pretzels, cheerios, gramm crackers and cheese. i can see you squirming. i will go on. raised in grand, vegetable soup, yogurt, some salad dressing, and natural cheese. what bothers me is -- the television shows that teenagers watch, college football, fresh prince of bel-air, full house, jane goodall's heroes, nascar progress middle the only thing i progress middle the only thing i can keep up with. comedy central, sports center, usa soccer. these items would not be allowed to advertise. doesn't that strike you as an overage? particularly since these items are allowed to be sold? >> i think that the effort is geared at trying to

this tweeter wants to know -- guest: the nutrition recommendations come from the hhs, of which cdc is a part. along with usda, other agencies, contribute to that. those are updated every couple of years. it is important to keep an eye out and to access those on the hhs website. you can certainly look at those attrition recommendations that have recently been released. host: genet, republican. little rock, arkansas. -- jeanette, republican. caller: i have heard african- americans are about seven times more likely for diabetes. guest: great comment. gestational diabetes is really like a test run. women who develop diabetes when they are pregnant or at very high risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in their life. the caller is right. we have got to have better follow up of these women. after they have the baby, it is important -- those of you that have had gestational diabetes -- it is not just about losing the baby weight. it is about engaging in and healthy lifestyle. we are looking to reach out, especially to women who have had gestational diabetes, in the national diabetes program. we know they are at

the buck here. we have 80 different economic development programs. spread through commerce, h.u.d., usda, small business administration. it's all good that we are doing that, but let's have some centralized opportunities. let's leverage the resources. in my home state of oregon when i was budget chair, we would see the federal government money come in, it was different programs tied with these little strings, made it difficult for my local agencies and local communities to use the money, very, very inflexible. and that's got to end. we got to break down these sigh lows, allow people to work across the spectrum so that we can get the biggest bangor the buck. i'd also point out that in our surface transportation programs, we work really hard trying to keep america competitive. in the h.r. 1, there are huge cuts to the transportation budget. if we are going to be competitive going forward, like we were after world war ii and eisenhower, republican president, and congress put together a secure highway fund, realizing that our secury depended on having interstate highway that is were connecte

the buck here. we have 80 different economic development programs. spread through commerce, h.u.d., usda, small business administration. it's all good that we are doing that, but let's have some centralized opportunities. let's leverage the resources. in my home state of oregon when i was budget chair, we would see the federal government money come in, it was different programs tied with these little strings, made it difficult for my local agencies and local communities to use the money, very, very inflexible. and that's got to end. we got to break down these sigh lows, allow people to work across the spectrum so that we can get the biggest bang for the buck. i'd also point out that in our surface transportation programs, we work really hard trying to keep america competitive. in the h.r. 1, there are huge cuts to the transportation budget. if we are going to be competitive going forward, like we were after world war ii and eisenhower, republican president, and congress put together a secure highway fund, realizing that our security depended on having interstate highway that is were conn

the buck here. we have 80 different economic development programs. spread through commerce, h.u.d., usda, small business administration. it's all good that we are doing that, but let's have some centralized opportunities. let's leverage the resources. in my home state of oregon when i was budget chair, we would see the federal government money come in, it was different programs tied with these little strings, made it difficult for my local agencies and local communities to use the money, very, very inflexible. and that's got to end. we got to break down these sigh lows, allow people to work across the spectrum so that we can get the biggest bang for the buck. i'd also point out that in our surface transportation programs, we work really hard trying to keep america competitive. in the h.r. 1, there are huge cuts to the transportation budget. if we are going to be competitive going forward, like we were after world war ii and eisenhower, republican president, and congress put together a secure highway fund, realizing that our security depended on having interstate highway that is were conn

we operate in very close operation with the usda operation, so that we can find of which loan programs are right for a particular far rarer. -- borrower. we tried to make sure that we are fighting the small business to the one that is right for them. we collaborated extensively across multiple agencies. we coordinate with the bank with joint programs for them. we coordinate on interagency efforts in clusters. i could go on. we are fortunate to represent small businesses and to be a powerful force to ensure that they find their way to the resources that they need. >> you had extensive and very successful, a very successful professional career in a small business. think about it from the perspective of an entrepreneur o. what recommendations do you have to us as members of congress, how do you figure out what it is and what it is not? you are not working there anymore. fda has the expertise to do small business, anything with regard to small business. i do not know which agency who does it. the big agency is to do renewable energy. if i were all of those agencies, i would look at how we

however, the proposal has since received significant criticism from ranchers industry, members of congress alike now being further evaluated by usda officials. as written, the proposal would dramatically reduce the consumer's choice, it would increase costs. the proposal exposers packers to liability for use of alternative marketing arrangements and other innovative procurement methods, thereby ultimately depressing the prices received for america's most efficient and successful producers while potentially reducing the quality available to consumers. further, this proposed rule would actually increase the concentration in the sector as businesses are forced to change their current organizational structure, and you would find an exacerbation of the very issue the rule is allegedly designed to address. now, for instance, in kansas, we have a highly successful rancher-owned company made up of individual producers. they own both cattle and shares in the company's processing infrastructure. under this proposal, many of the individuals of the company may now be prohibited, prohibited from selling cattle directly to other processors. cre