Flint hosts U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III for update on water crisis

U.S. representatives Dan Kildee and Joe Kennedy III, the grand-nephew of President John F. Kennedy, took a stroll through the Flint Farmers' Market on Saturday afternoon to discuss the need for access to healthy foods.

The tour came after the congressmen were briefed on the latest updates in the water crisis in Flint at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.

Kildee, D-Flint, said access to fresh fruits and vegetables is especially important to his constituents because it can mitigate the effects of lead poisoning.

To that end, Kildee called for the expansion of the Double-Up Food Bucks program, a program in which each dollar of food stamps buys two dollars worth of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Both men spoke about the perils of scaling back regulations and defunding departments at a federal level and how that could create more situations like, or worsen response to, Flint's water crisis.

Kildee's office said Kennedy's visit is the fifth time he has hosted members of Congress to see Flint following the water crisis. Previous visits have included House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Whip Steny Hoyer.

Kennedy was joined by his wife Lauren and daughter Eleanor.