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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.

American families coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma will receive much needed nutrition relief, USDA announced.  Notably, packages of American grown and produced nutritious USDA Foods will be available across hurricane-stricken areas in Florida.

USDA approved a temporary waiver that will allow SNAP participants in the United States Virgin Islands to buy hot foods with their benefits through November 13.

Secretary Sonny Perdue today outlined steps USDA has taken to help the people of Florida and other states and U.S. territories ravaged by Hurricane Irma, underscoring the Department’s commitment to feeding all those in need in times of disaster.

Schools reopening in hurricane-stricken areas of Texas will be allowed to provide meals through the National School Lunch Program to all students free of charge through Sept. 30.  USDA has also granted these schools flexibilities with regard to what they serve and when they serve it, making it easier for them to feed students in hurricane-affected areas. 

The USDA reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses impacted Hurricane Irma that USDA has programs that provide assistance in the wake of disasters.

Texans recovering from Hurricane Harvey could be eligible for disaster food benefits from the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through the availability of Disaster SNAP.

Families affected by Hurricane Harvey will soon be able to receive food packages containing nutritious, high-quality foods.

Families affected by Hurricane Harvey will soon be able to receive food packages containing nutritious, high-quality foods--100 percent grown and produced on farms in the U.S.

FNS has issued special procedures that give all states flexibility in providing expedited SNAP benefits to families who have evacuated their homes and moved outside the state of Texas as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

Families participating in USDA’s WIC program  in hurricane-stricken Texas will have an easier time finding WIC-approved foods for mothers and their children thanks to food-package flexibilities approved Sunday by USDA.

FNS and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission today announced a number of immediate actions as well as long-term plans for ensuring Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey have access to food through SNAP and the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

New resources for nutrition education and food service training are coming to schools during this back to school season in 11 states selected to receive a total of $5.3 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture grants awarded today.

FNS is actively working with officials in Texas and Louisiana to ensure that people impacted by Hurricane Harvey have access to food now and after emergency operations are completed.

Secretary Sonny Perdue today named three individuals to take on leadership roles within the USDA's Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. Brandon Lipps will serve as the Administrator  and also as Acting Deputy Under Secretary until the Senate confirms a permanent presidential-nominated appointee.  In addition, Maggie Lyons will serve as Chief of Staff and senior advisor to the Under Secretary, while Kailee Tkacz will serve as policy advisor. 

USDA today announced the award of $31.5 million in Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Grants to explore ways to alleviate hunger among low-income children during the summer, including new projects in Texas and Tennessee. Rigorous evaluations of continuing projects have found that Summer EBT can significantly reduce very low food security among children, the most severe form of food insecurity, by one-third.

USDA today announced the projects selected to receive its annual farm to school grants designed to increase the amount of local foods served in schools. Sixty-five projects were chosen nationwide.

Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that USDA will provide greater flexibility in nutrition requirements for school meal programs in order to make food choices both healthful and appealing to students. 

Breastfeeding rates increased sharply over the past 20 years among women participating in WIC, based on the findings of a new USDA study.

USDA today announced the seven retail firms selected to take part in a pilot designed to enable SNAP participants to purchase their groceries online. The two-year pilot is slated to begin this summer.