Oral history interview with Kevin W. Concannon, 2021
Abstract
Kevin Concannon discusses his work as director of the Iowa Department of Human Services, including expanding the SNAP food stamp program, and how his relationship with Tom Vilsack led to his appointment as undersecretary for food and nutrition service (FNS) within the Department of Agriculture from 2009 to 2017. At FNS, Concannon talks about working with states; visiting local schools, food banks, and other care centers; creatively using waivers for Medicaid and other programs; reconceptualizing data; and helping people (especially seniors, workers, and Latinos) receive the benefits they needed. Concannon delves into school meals programs, including the interventions of behaviorists; industry and company challenges to policies; benefits of school breakfast programs; summer meals; and the impact of child nutrition on the workforce, military readiness, and international competitiveness. Concannon discusses the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act: changes in nutritional guidelines, collaborating with the Department of Defense to get healthy food to rural communities, specific provisions (ex. on vending machines), and working with Congress to get the act passed. He describes nutrition guidelines for the Women, Infants, and Children program and the School Nutrition Association, how the Trump administration politicized these guidelines, and the dietary guidelines and their scientific advisory committee. Also discussed are the electronic benefit card, making SNAP eligible at farmers' markets, and changing public perception of food assistance programs
Presidents--United States; Children--Nutrition--United States; School breakfast programs--United States; Food relief--United States; Concannon, Kevin William, 1940-; Obama, Barack; Vilsack, Thomas J; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (U.S.); Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (U.S.); School Nutrition Association; Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (U.S.); United States Department of Agriculture; United States; United States. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee; Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2021
Physical Description
60 pages
Note (Biographical)
Kevin Concannon served as undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at the United States Department of Agriculture from 2009 to 2017. Prior to his work in the federal government, he served as director of state health and human services departments in Iowa, Maine, and Oregon
Note
Interviewed by Dov Weinryb Grohsgal on July 23 and July 26, 2021. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Kevin W. Concannon, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2022