(a) The office of child nutrition and wellness shall be created in the department, but only upon sufficient funding being appropriated for the office.

(b) The office shall perform the following functions:

• (1) Assist the commissioner in identifying and establishing priorities for programs, services, and resources to promote better child nutrition and wellness;

• (2) Serve as a clearinghouse for information on child nutrition and wellness;

• (3) Identify and recommend sources of funding for promotion of child nutrition and wellness and seek funding from the sources;

• (4) Make recommendations to the commissioner regarding programs that address child nutrition and wellness for inclusion in the department's annual budget; and

• (5) Conduct public educational forums to raise public awareness about child nutrition and wellness issues.