Food during my early years was a very difficult issue for me. I grew up in an addictive family. My mother had serious problems with alcohol and prescription drugs. I was an overweight kid. I can remember back in those days there werent the strategies that there are today to deal with those issues. – Tom Vilsack
The rise of childhood obesity has placed the health of an entire generation at risk. – Tom Vilsack
Proper school nutrition must be complemented by activities outside of the cafeteria. The decisions parents make to keep their kids healthy are critical in fighting this battle on the home front. – Tom Vilsack
There are ways we can go do a better job of educating young moms and dads about the vital role they have as the childs first teacher. I think there are ways in which we can partner with local school districts and states to do a better job to provide nutrition options at school. – Tom Vilsack