Newsroom

FNCS Acting Deputy Under Secretary Brandon Lipps today highlighted the accomplishments of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service in 2018, from common-sense flexibilities for school meal providers to the agency’s vigorous response to provide food to the victims of coast-to-coast natural disasters.

FNS today announced a $2-million cooperative agreement with the Johns Hopkins University to conduct an in-depth, practicable evaluation of local agencies’ strategies to improve services provided by the WIC program.

The state of North Carolina will be able to better serve participants through WIC in the wake of Hurricane Florence, thanks to operational flexibilities approved for their use by USDA) The state will be able to issue benefits remotely and waive some nutrition education requirements in places where offices are closed, as well as replace September food benefits that were damaged or lost during the hurricane.

Secretary Sonny Perdue today proclaimed Aug. 1-7 as National WIC Breastfeeding Week. Each year, National WIC Breastfeeding Week is held in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week during the first week of August to promote and support breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition for a baby’s first year of life. 

As part of Agriculture Secretary Perdue’s strategic goal of ensuring that our programs are delivered efficiently, effectively and with integrity, FNS announced an enhanced focus on program integrity today, that will include renewed attention on transparency, payment accuracy, fraud and waste prevention, and improved quality control.

FNS today announced $1.1 million in grants to four Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children state agencies in Arizona, Arkansas, South Dakota and Texas.