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USDA Disaster Assistance
News Item
Food Help on the Way for Arkansas Households Hit by Tornadoes and Severe Storms

Approximately 7,000 families in Cross and Pulaski County affected by recent tornadoes and severe storms will soon be able to receive food packages containing nutritious, high-quality foods that are 100% grown and produced on farms in the U.S. – known as USDA Foods. USDA approved the short-term measure to address an immediate need for food until a longer-term solution is ready to be put in place.

04/11/2023
COVID Virus
News Item
FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain 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.

05/05/2021
COVID Virus
News Item
FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain 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.

04/01/2021
COVID Virus
News Item
FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain 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. 

03/24/2021
COVID Virus
News Item
FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain 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.

03/17/2021
COVID Virus
News Item
FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain 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.

03/10/2021
USDA Extends Free Meals for All Kids
News Item
ICYMI: USDA Extends Free Meals for All Kids

President Donald Trump proclaimed this week National School Lunch Week 2020, highlighting the vital role of school nutrition professionals in ensuring that children in all communities nationwide continue to get nutritious meals, despite the challenges posed by the current public health emergency.

10/16/2020
Find Meals for Kids
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USDA Announces Online Tool to Help Families Find Meals for Kids During COVID-19 Emergency 

USDA today announced the launch of an online tool – the “Meals for Kids” Site Finder – to help families find meals for children while schools are closed during the coronavirus pandemic. This is the latest in a series of swift actions USDA has taken to keep children and low-income individuals fed during the ongoing health crisis. 

04/03/2020
USDA Continues Focus on Service During COVID-19 Outbreak
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USDA Continues Focus on Service During COVID-19 Outbreak

While President Donald J. Trump continues to take action during this COVID-19 National Emergency and enact measures to ensure Americans are safe, secure, and healthy, USDA continues to be open for business to provide services to the American people.

03/17/2020
News Item
USDA Helps Schools Feed Kids in Hurricane-Hit Georgia, Florida

Students in Georgia schools affected by Hurricane Irma will be provided free meals through the end of September, USDA announced today, along with additional flexibilities in federal child nutrition programs in Georgia and Florida aimed at making it easy for children to be fed.

09/19/2017
News Item
USDA Assists Florida Children Affected by Irma

USDA announced today it is making it easier for Florida schools affected by Hurricane Irma to feed students during this time of great need. The measures will potentially impact over 1,800 schools and 1.4 million children.

09/16/2017
News Item
USDA Announces Results of Summer Feeding Pilots to Help Prevent Childhood Hunger When School is Out

USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today highlighted the results of two Summer Food Service Program pilot programs in Arkansas and Mississippi that used incentives to increase participation among low-income children. The study found that the innovative pilot programs were associated with an increased average participation rate among kids in the Summer Food Service Programs by 35 percent in Arkansas and 19 percent in Mississippi.

09/14/2011
News Item
USDA Launches Fresh Produce Program for Florida, Michigan Schools

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and FNS will conduct a pilot for acquiring fresh fruits and vegetables to build on farm-to-school programs in Florida and Michigan. The pilot will use commercial distribution models already in place and allow schools to obtain locally grown produce.

07/12/2011
News Item
USDA Announces Summer Food Program Changes to Expand Nutrition Assistance for Kids in Need

Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced that more low-income kids will have access to nutrition assistance when school is out and during critical gap periods. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service provided waivers to simplify existing regulations making it easier to provide critical meals through the Summer Food Service Program. The changes will expand and enhance the ability of the SFSP to provide nutritious meals and snacks to children in low-income areas during the summer months and long vacation periods for schools on year-round schedules.

04/05/2011
Page updated: February 09, 2021