Newsroom

USDA is marking the end of 2023 by highlighting on-the-ground projects and partnerships that are building economic prosperity for farmers, families, and communities nationwide. 

USDA and the Food Research & Action Center have teamed up to competitively award five organizations a total of $1.1 million to research barriers to equitable access in the federal child nutrition programs and identify strategies to eliminate them.

USDA today announced an investment of more than $52 million to improve dietary health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for eligible families.

At the 2023 White House Tribal Youth Summit, USDA offers new resources to inspire Native American youth to explore Indigenous foodways and knowledge and highlight career paths at USDA and beyond. These efforts are part of USDA’s commitment to empowering tribal self-determination and bringing Indigenous perspectives into agriculture, food, and nutrition.

WIC is vital to the health and well-being of nearly half of our nation’s babies, along with millions of young children up to age 5 and their mothers. Yet, recent research based on 2021 data published by FNS shows more than 6 million of those who are eligible for the program are missing out on its proven health benefits.   

The Food and Nutrition Service announced today that SNAP, households will have added protection from stolen benefits through Sept. 30, 2024, as the agency officially approved all SNAP state agencies’ plans for replacing benefits stolen via card skimming, card cloning and other similar crimes. This is a vital and necessary step in ensuring victims of fraudulent activities continue to have access to food.

Today, USDA released the Household Food Security in the United States in 2022 report, which examined American households’ ability to access sufficient food last year. 

This week, USDA joined students, parents/caregivers, schools, communities, and partners across the country in recognizing National School Lunch Week, as proclaimed by President Biden. October is also Farm to School Month, which recognizes the benefits of incorporating healthy, locally grown foods into school meals.

FNS is announcing a series of recent actions designed to elevate program integrity and usher in a new era of modernization for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

USDA is announcing partnerships for a new, interagency pilot project aimed at offering more localized ground bison meat for tribal communities through the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today visited Annandale Terrace Elementary School in Annandale, Virginia, where he unveiled two new grant opportunities plus a training and technical assistance partnership to help schools continue to invest in nutritious school meals.

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of FNS awarded the District of Columbia Department of Human Services $904,859 to enhance efficiency and access in SNAP.

The Western Regional Office of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service awarded the County of Monterey Department of Social Services in California $858,348  to enhance efficiency and access in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.