“Leveraging U.S. Funds: The Stunning Global Impact of Nutrition and Supplements During the First 1,000 Days,” is the title of a congressional hearing to be chaired Thursday by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the Africa and Global Human Rights Subcommittee. Officials from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and the U.S. Agency for International Development will address the congressional panel.

    "The First 1000 days of life, from conception to roughly the second birthday, is an absolutely critical window in terms of human development," said Smith. “USAID has had great success with food and nutrition interventions during this period, greatly reducing stunting in a number of developing countries and thereby contributing to economic growth. In so doing, USAID has partnered with organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, wisely leveraging taxpayer dollars."

WHAT:           Congressional hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee