Blog
WIC Rises to the Challenge
Supporting families is the foundation of our mission here at USDA. So, before we close 2021, I’d like to look back at one of our programs that continues to do just that.
12/30/2021
Blog
The Thrifty Food Plan: What It Is and Why It Matters
At the direction of Congress and with the support of President Biden as part of the administration’s Build Back Better initiative, USDA is re-evaluating the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) to ensure that it reflects the cost of a practical, nutritious, budget-conscious diet.
08/12/2021
Blog
You Spoke, We Listened: The Challenges of Purchasing Healthy Food with SNAP Benefits
As directed by Congress in 2018, USDA is re-evaluating the Thrifty Food Plan - the estimated cost of an affordable, nutritious diet and used to calculate SNAP benefit levels. To complement the re-evaluation efforts and gather insights from those who will be impacted by the result, USDA recently hosted five listening sessions with SNAP participants, researchers, advocates and others.
08/09/2021
Blog
Celebrating National Farmers Market Week
The first week of August, farmers markets across the nation celebrate National Farmers Market Week, highlighting their role in supporting healthy communities, food systems and stimulating local economies.
08/02/2021
Blog
WIC Making a Difference for Mississippi Mom
When Rebecca and Parker Catt became parents, they faced a new set of challenges, including making the right choices in deciding what their baby James should be fed.
05/28/2021
Blog
Passion Overcomes Pandemic Challenges
Like countless schools across the country, the Live Oak Unified School District, about 50 miles north of Sacramento, had to shift their operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
03/25/2021
Blog
Farms and Schools – A Critical Link for a Healthy Future
One of my fondest childhood memories was helping my grandma tend to the fresh fruits and vegetables in her garden. After a morning’s work outside in the sunshine, the fresh-picked corn was a feast for the taste buds and a sweet reward for our hard work. Working alongside my grandma taught me many important lessons – notably, that food on the table across the nation is a result of the dedication and effort of America’s farmers.
10/30/2019
Blog
Farmers and Ranchers - The Foundation of our Nation’s Nutrition Assistance Programs
You may be familiar with Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech that he delivered to the FFA Convention in November 1978. What he said then still rings true today. He describes the hard work and sacrifices as well as the gentle family spirit and sense of community that farmers and ranchers have provided from generation to generation across our great country.
10/11/2019
Blog
Seven Ways Farm to School Can Make You ‘Cool’
As we celebrate Farm to School Month this October, we can all feel the temperatures cooling down with the fall season. Here are seven ways USDA’s Farm to School Program can make your school and community ‘cooler’ throughout the year!
10/03/2019
Blog
Innovation and Collaboration Bring Summer Meals to Children in Rural Texas
Children’s nutritional needs do not take a summer break. This summer, FNS partnered with the Texas Department of Agriculture and Baylor University’s Texas Hunger Initiative to help keep Texas children in several low-income rural areas fed during the summer through a summer meals demonstration project.
08/15/2019
Blog
FNS Fills the Summer Meal Gap in Rural Areas
Most kids look forward to the end of school and the start of summer vacation, but for some it can also mean the loss of the regular meals they rely on during the school year. USDA’s summer meal programs, including the Summer Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer Option, are there to help families ensure children have access to nutritious meals and snacks that help them learn and grow during the summer months.
06/21/2019
Blog
Just Announced ‘Turnip the Beet’ Awards Recognize High-Quality Summer Meals
As school years draw to a close and summer breaks begin, USDA is pleased to announce the third annual Turnip the Beet awardees. These awards recognize outstanding summer meal program sponsors who distinguished themselves with high quality meals that are appetizing, appealing, and wholesome.
06/18/2019
Blog
Louisiana Tour Highlights Making a Difference One Meal and One Life at a Time
During a recent visit to Louisiana, I had the opportunity to see several FNS programs in action. I gained greater insight on the different ways FNS is helping Americans find a path to self-sufficiency, while providing access to food through FNS’ nutrition programs to people who need it most.
06/10/2019
Blog
Across Country, USDA Kicks Off Summer Meals
The school year is out and summer meals are in! Around the country, places like schools, recreation centers, parks, churches, and libraries are serving free, nutritious summer meals to kids up to 18 years old through USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP was designed to help low-income students during the summer months who aren’t receiving free or reduced-price school meals to continue to have access to meals and snacks.
05/26/2019
Blog
FNS Acts to Remove Fraudulent Retailers from SNAP
You want to ensure your tax dollars are used properly. So does FNS. That is why we are continually working to improve federal administration and oversight of our programs. We undertake these efforts in order to ensure that resources are spent properly, effectively, efficiently, and as intended.
05/16/2019
Blog
FNS’ Role in Disaster Response
Ensuring access to nutritious food is critically important when emergencies and disasters happen. Food and Nutrition Service is prepared to work with states and with other federal agencies to support both immediate response and longer-term recovery efforts.
05/10/2019
Blog
Building Better Futures through SNAP Employment and Training
Self-sufficiency and customer service are top priorities in the Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) mission to provide better service and “do right and feed everybody.” Self-sufficiency is a cornerstone of the American dream, and state-operated SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) programs, which leverage federal resources, are key to removing difficult employment barriers to help those on SNAP break the cycle of poverty.
04/08/2019
Page updated: February 25, 2021