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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 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 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.

FNS today awards nearly $2 million in funding to six states and territories to help improve retention of children in WIC. These funds will enable WIC state agencies to better fulfill their  crucial role in ensuring young children up to age five have a foundation for nutritional success.

FNS today awarded $6.7 million in grants during the back to school season to expand and enhance training for school nutrition and child care professionals working to support healthy environments for our nation’s youth. 

Today, Secretary Tom Vilsack urged all state health officers to use the resources and opportunities provided through their WIC agencies in their substance misuse prevention efforts. Vilsack made this announcement at a town hall in Missouri to discuss the opioid epidemic, which accounted for more than 28,000 deaths nationwide in 2014.

Today, the Obama Administration is announcing four final rules that implement important provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act building on the progress schools across the country have already made in the improved nutritional quality of meals served in schools.

Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced that approximately $2 million in grants is available to help state agencies retain young children in the WIC program.

Today, the USDA named 10 winners of its E.A.T. (Electronic Application Transformation) School Lunch U.X. Challenge, a public “hackathon” challenging individuals and organizations to revolutionize the way households apply for free and reduced price school meals. 

Schools across the United States purchased $789 million in local foods from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers in school year 2013 – 2014, according to results from the USDA Farm to School Census released today. That represents a 105 percent increase over the 2011-2012 school year when the first census was conducted, signifying the deepening commitment of schools nationwide to bring local food into the cafeteria and strengthen their local economies.

As schools around the county take part in School Breakfast Week celebrations this week, the USDA commemorates the 50th anniversary of its School Breakfast Program by shining a light on the positive impacts of school breakfast.

Secretary Vilsack announced a major step to make it easier for WIC participants to access nutritious foods. The WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer Final Rule will improve the shopping experience for WIC participants by requiring states to transition from paper benefits to EBT systems by Oct. 1, 2020.

As part of USDA's ongoing efforts to support residents in Flint, Mich., Dr. Kathryn Wilson, FNCS Deputy Under Secretary today announced that USDA will temporarily allow Michigan to use WIC funds to conduct lead testing for WIC participants. An estimated 3,800 WIC participants could potentially be tested as a result of this action.

USDA is committed to assisting residents affected by the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. While the water emergency in Flint remains primarily a public health crisis addressed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USDA is committed to using all resources available to assist in the response and to provide relief to those affected by the water contamination. To date, USDA has provided the following assistance:

Today, on behalf of the White House Rural Council, six federal agencies joined together to announce the selection of 27 communities in 22 states that will participate in Local Foods, Local Places, a federal initiative that helps communities increase economic opportunities for local farmers and related businesses, create vibrant places and promote childhood wellness by improving access to healthy local food.

In anticipation of legislation this week from the Senate to reauthorize child nutrition programs, Secretary Tom Vilsack provided a statement.

At the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that with the current school year underway, 97 percent of schools now report successfully meeting updated nutrition standards, and the number of eligible high-poverty schools utilizing USDA's Community Eligibility Provision has increased by 20 percent since last year.

FBS announces the expansion of the Team Up for School Nutrition Success initiative with the addition of two trainings designed to help make the initiative a sustainable training program for advancing the school nutrition field.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will be awarding over $8 million in grants to help school nutrition professionals better prepare healthy meals for their students.