[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6342290,"mediaKeyId","2255362-aba4fe0c9a26d4bdf1def078efcdd60d","parentId",2255362,"title","American Falls FFA team presents balanced debate on processed versus whole foods to Senate Health and Welfare Committee","audioSeconds",1299,"startMs",777000,"endMs",2076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255362-aba4fe0c9a26d4bdf1def078efcdd60d&start=777&end=2076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255362-aba4fe0c9a26d4bdf1def078efcdd60d/thumbnail_777000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6342290/Idaho/American-Falls-FFA-team-presents-balanced-debate-on-processed-versus-whole-foods-to-Senate-Health-and-Welfare-Committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342290-754238e354051c0c39371e526cbba8d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120413&Signature=CPk0YI6vK3xHAhHrcDta1HUiXACcGyErfJrDTTW6OChopv8~G-C7oNdmsRE9aQCApE7DkqvMMsmc11rzFCVunN6dVgUBIwUSrIDWyn2QORiFFXpCohxTUYV-TF8tZopYPhcOT0U6eiRiKW~w8~HhWplRtdC3aEQmJvxMQNgGSfZzKpjib559AVO7OikUis8wgwzV1MT7BYVsQvR85Df-KpCO1IhqcDheVTUfCUiRlMVM5PnuVe0RpG3DlWVKY0EIGf0Nu-nMd33DQA9mkfr-8paCa62nPkFQ~C8EoT8sgHYeirgDf-NYlJCS73nFgNNrbRpJMnTy~adN2Xj9N7ALMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate of Idaho","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Students from the American Falls FFA chapter presented a panel to the Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee summarizing arguments for and against processed foods and answering questions from senators and committee members.

The presentation matters because legislators heard how dietary choices intersect with public health, the state economy and agricultural practices, and because the students framed the issue using public‑health citations and industry data as part of a civic leadership exercise.

Noah Cummins, a single father who opened the panel as part of a Power County parent support group segment, described the difficulty families face in balancing time, cost and nutrition. Cummins said the media’s mixed messages leave parents unsure whom to trust. The student presenters then introduced spokespeople and summarized perspectives.

Pro‑processed‑food points: Sadie Porth identified herself as “a representative of the Food and Drug Administration” and emphasized the FDA’s role in regulating additives, labels and nutrient fortification. Ava (Eva) Cardona identified herself as representing Kellogg’s and said processed food manufacturing supports jobs and global food security. Joaquin Morales, representing a consumer viewpoint, highlighted convenience, shelf life and reduced food waste as advantages.

Anti‑processed or whole‑food points: Anna Hernandez, introduced as an extension home economist, raised concerns about food‑labeling awareness, food fraud and environmental impacts of monoculture crops such as corn and soybean. Excel Fonseca, identified as representing a medical professor, outlined health risks and the economic burden of diet‑linked diseases. Leslie Hernandez, a nutritionist, described addictive qualities of certain ingredients and the role of nutrient deficiencies in food cravings.

Panelists and student presenters cited public sources during the discussion. Examples recorded in the transcript include references to the Centers for Disease Control, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization; students and presenters attributed specific statistics and studies to those sources but the committee did not receive accompanying citations or written sources at this meeting.

Key points and figures presented (as stated during the panel):

- A presenter stated that processed foods make up roughly 60% of the average American diet (attributed to CDC in the presentation).
- The panel quoted a statistic that 5.1% of U.S. households experienced low food security in 2023 (attributed to USDA) and argued processed foods can provide affordable, fortified nutrient sources for food‑insecure households.
- One presenter said Idaho grocery availability and price differentials can make fresh foods less accessible in some communities, and described processed foods as more affordable and shelf‑stable.
- A medical‑perspective presenter claimed that ultra‑processed foods are linked to numerous health problems and cited global and national cost estimates for diet‑related diseases (WHO and other sources were referenced during the remarks).

Senators responded with praise for the students’ presentation style and balance. Senator Wintrow thanked the team for presenting both sides and said the session made her “look at my potato chips a little differently.” Senator Shippey commended the students’ courage in speaking before the committee. Senator Blaylock asked the student panelist what surprised him most; he replied that hearing about nutrient fortification’s potential public‑health benefits was eye‑opening.

The presentation lasted roughly 15–30 minutes according to the committee chair’s time allocation. Mr. Badia, who introduced the team, noted that the American Falls group traveled about three and a half hours to attend and praised the students’ preparedness; he also said one team member had previously placed third nationally in the competition.

The committee did not take legislative action on the presentation. Senators and staff asked clarifying questions about sources and research methods; students said they relied on federal public‑health sources such as NIH and CDC. The session ended with thanks and applause, and the committee adjourned.

The student panel provided a civic‑education demonstration rather than testimony for a specific rule or bill; legislators asked for clarity on sources and praised the students’ ability to present opposing views.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Health & Welfare Meeting February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Students from the American Falls FFA chapter presented a panel to the Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee comparing health, economic and environmental arguments for processed and whole foods.","taxTitle","Health and Welfare, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",57004,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342295,"Senate Health and Welfare committee sends several RSs to print, including psychology supervision changes and a tire‑cleanup pilot",200,549000,749000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255362-aba4fe0c9a26d4bdf1def078efcdd60d&start=549&end=749","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255362-aba4fe0c9a26d4bdf1def078efcdd60d/thumbnail_549000.jpg","/articles/6342295/Idaho/Senate-Health-and-Welfare-committee-sends-several-RSs-to-print-including-psychology-supervision-changes-and-a-tirecleanup-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342295-74acf67f780b67ccb6154460076c931a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120413&Signature=NMf2dpsEcZP3iuAnLwduoOxeNg6FGYyJMDGDitzrGQjyUqDIEKwFVVv-OgjIvBEWZbQy5G3AUfwziadm0TkLFMkUdbsoYUpNMlxwpSrL~zYQbjV6YRhoea9KTOpLV5plDWcdUyng7zapCuEeQ03JSuYplga9ecWGzm0BsD-84hwrSxoLRJt-vEmSVBtc5Mk65rNt0v6V3jwT7eRUxgbly7~ZhIB8sDI1KSFjR4mBqWFX791bhUK0YZPjPn5xOtmWkDmzMk0qevbM1wBSII974LNVo3snYqcHlRfU3R0g8LSfawKY6W~rXxhfwoW7RAxnAzpOUUg3oe1kCF6yvRHPIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send several request statutes (RSs) to print after brief sponsor presentations and limited questions from committee members.

Committee action matters because each RS is the first formal step that allows a bill to be drafted for later committee hearings and potential floor action; the measures the committee moved forward affect professional licensing, environmental cleanup, child custody timelines, long‑term care regulations and access to medical records for Social Security applicants.

Senators approved the following introductions and procedural motions:

- RS32220 (Sen. Mark Harris): The RS would change how prescribing psychologists are supervised, moving from a supervision model requiring a supervisor or supervision agreement with an Idaho or adjoining‑state physician to a collaborative agreement model, and would eliminate the permanent advisory panel tied to the Psychologist Act. Senator Mark Harris said the bill “basically improves and streamlines practice of psychology in the state of Idaho” and noted Idaho has had only eight prescribing psychologists since the prescribing authorization passed about eight years ago. Senator Shippey moved to send RS32220 to print; Senator Buerke seconded. The committee voice vote was recorded as “aye.”

- RS3214 (Sen. Mark Harris): The RS would create a three‑year pilot program with a three‑year sunset to incentivize recyclers to clean up about 20 abandoned tire piles across the state, provide partial reimbursement for transporting, processing and recycling tires, and fund the Department of Environmental Quality to administer the program. Senator Harris said the proposal includes “a fee of 50¢ per tire.” Senator Wintrow moved to send RS3214 to print; Senator Bierke seconded. The committee voice vote was “aye.” During the vote one senator asked to be recorded as voting yes.

- RS32351 (Sen. Cody Galloway): The RS would amend timelines in the Child Protective Act to shorten review hearings from six months to two months, change custody timelines from “15 of 22 months” to “12 of 22 months,” and add language allowing judges to consider the bond a foster child has formed with a substitute caretaker. Galloway said he worked with foster families, the Department of Health and Welfare and the Ada County courthouse on the draft. Senator Keiser moved to send RS32351 to print; Senator Seiferfeld seconded. The committee voice vote was “aye.”

- RS32348 (Sen. Camille Blaylock): The RS would update regulations for Idaho residential care and assisted‑living facilities, revising provisions on admissions, licensing, staffing, inspections, medication management and resident agreements to remove what the sponsor described as “outdated and unnecessary regulations.” Senator Harris moved to introduce RS32348 to print; Senator Keiser seconded. The committee voice vote was “aye.”

- RS31947C1 (Sen. Doug Ricks): A narrowed version of prior legislation, the RS would provide one free copy of medical records specifically for Social Security disability applicants, to address delays and costs associated with collecting records for disability claims. Senator Ricks said the change ‘‘essentially provides 1 free copy of the records.’’ Senator Wintrow moved to send RS31947C1 to print; Senator Blaylock seconded. The committee voice vote was “aye.”

None of the RSs received extended debate or public testimony at this meeting; each motion to send to print is procedural and does not itself enact policy. Committee members asked clarifying questions about prior informational hearings, existing disposal fees for tires and stakeholder outreach on foster‑care changes. Where senators asked for a recorded vote, that was noted, but the transcript records the committee’s decisions as voice votes without a roll‑call tally by name.

The committee also accepted a student presentation later in the meeting (see separate article), then adjourned with a reminder of an upcoming meeting on the committee calendar.

Votes at a glance: all motions to send the RSs listed above were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote (ayes recorded); no formal oppositions were recorded in the transcript.","The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send multiple request statutes (RSs) to print, advancing proposals on prescribing psychologists, abandoned tire cleanup, foster‑care timelines, assisted‑living regulation updates and one narrowing of medical‑records fees for Social Security disability applicants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

American Falls FFA team presents balanced debate on processed versus whole foods to Senate Health and Welfare Committee

Senate Health and Welfare committee sends several RSs to print, including psychology supervision changes and a tire‑cleanup pilot