Newsroom

The USDA Northeast Region announced today two new grant opportunities available through the School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants, part of USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative.

To further address food insecurity in the U.S. Virgin Islands and provide more equitable resources for island communities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to territory families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer. 

To address food insecurity in the U.S. Virgin Islands and provide more equitable resources to remote locations, FNS is increasing the reimbursement rates that child nutrition program operators receive for meals served in U.S. Virgin Islands from 17% to 30% above the contiguous United States rates.

FNS awarded the Connecticut Department of Agriculture a $250,000 grant as part of the FMNP Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants. This investment will help improve equitable access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for participants of WIC.

FNS awarded the Rhode Island Department of Health a $80,826 grant as part of the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants. This investment will help improve equitable access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for participants of WIC.

FNS awarded the New York City Human Resources Administration a $1,649,845 grant to support its efforts to enhance efficiency and access in SNAP. The multi-year SNAP Process and Technology Improvement Grant seeks to improve the experience of SNAP participants by enabling grantees to update inefficient or ineffective processes and use technology to streamline operations and provide better customer service.

FNS awarded the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services a $675,000 grant to support its efforts to enhance efficiency and access in SNAP. The multi-year SNAP Process and Technology Improvement Grant seeks to improve the experience of SNAP participants by enabling grantees to update inefficient or ineffective processes and use technology to streamline operations and provide better customer service.

FNS awarded Maine a grant as part of the first round of FMNP Benefit Delivery Modernization Grants.

During a visit to Columbia University and in celebration of National Nutrition Month, Secretary Vilsack today announced a report detailing USDA's Actions on Nutrition Security. 

Today, USDA announced the members of the newly established Equity Commission and its Subcommittee on Agriculture. As authorized and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the launch of the Commission delivers on President Biden's commitment to create an independent Equity Commission and provide it with the necessary resources to support its mission to address historical discrimination at USDA.

As Tropical Depression Ida continues its northeast track toward New England, it is forecast to bring heavy precipitation, strong winds and to again strengthen to a Tropical Storm by Thursday afternoon. USDA reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses in the storm’s path that it has programs that provide assistance in the wake of disasters.

Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed USDA to aid recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers and residents affected by Tropical Storm Elsa – the fifth named storm in what has already been a very active hurricane season.

In January 2021, President Biden released the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. The plan is driven by science, data and public health to improve the effectiveness of our nation’s fight against COVID-19 and to restore trust, accountability and a sense of common purpose in our response to the pandemic.

In January 2021, President Biden released the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. The plan is driven by science, data, and public health to improve the effectiveness of our nation’s fight against COVID-19 and to restore trust, accountability and a sense of common purpose in our response to the pandemic.

USDA announced it will purchase up to $159.4 million in domestically produced seafood, fruits, legumes, and nuts for distribution to a variety of domestic food assistance programs, including charitable institutions. This is one of many actions USDA is taking to address the disruptions in the food system supply chain and worsened food insecurity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January 2021, President Biden released the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. The plan is driven by science, data, and public health to improve the effectiveness of our nation’s fight against COVID-19 and to restore trust, accountability and a sense of common purpose in our response to the pandemic.