Blog
Connecting Local Producers to Montana Schools
Bringing together local producers and schools was the objective of the “Bringing the Farm to School” producer training in Hardin, Montana. The training sought to build relationships between schools and producers to increase the availability of local foods served to children.
05/31/2023
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USDA Announces New Investments in School Meals to Support Healthy Kids
USDA announced several actions to expand support for and access to the school meal programs, including awarding $50 million in grants that will increase collaboration between schools, food producers and suppliers, and other partners to develop nutritious, appetizing school meals for kids.
03/22/2023
Blog
Harvesting Health All Summer Long
The FNS Turnip the Beet awards recognize outstanding summer meal program sponsors for going above and beyond, ensuring children receive high quality meals in a fun, safe and healthy learning environment when school is out.
07/06/2022
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USDA Supports Equity, Inclusion in Nutrition Assistance Programs
FNS is committed to promoting equity and inclusion through its federal nutrition assistance programs and today, is celebrating advancements made over the past year while acknowledging the long journey ahead. Throughout the past year, the Biden-Harris Administration and USDA have worked side-by-side to provide those in need with better, fairer access to a healthy diet, with a focus on closing gaps in access for historically disadvantaged and underserved populations.
01/20/2022
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USDA Selects Kansas State University to Improve Child Nutrition Safety
FNS has selected Kansas State University to direct the Center for Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs. The research resulting from this partnership will help improve food safety across all of USDA’s child nutrition programs, which serve billions of meals to children each year.
12/18/2017
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Secretary Perdue Announces New Leadership for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
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.
07/20/2017
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USDA Announces Grants to Support Strategies to Reduce Child Food Insecurity in Rural Communities
Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the USDA Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center at the University of Kentucky awarded $1.3 million in grants to help reduce child food insecurity in 17 rural communities. The funding, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, will help these rural communities implement creative strategies to improve access to federal nutrition assistance for families and children. Secretary Vilsack made the announcement during a panel discussion on the current state of food and nutrition in America hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center.
03/09/2016
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USDA Kicks Off Expansion of the Team Up for School Nutrition Success Initiative
Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced a second phase of expansion of the Team Up for School Nutrition Success initiative, ensuring continued support for schools working to serve school children nutritious meals nationwide. Building on the momentum of the seven regional trainings held in 2015, FNS joined with the Institute of Child Nutrition at the University of Mississippi to offer all state agencies the opportunity to host local events to provide tailored technical assistance, support, and best practices for schools in administering successful meals programs.
02/03/2016
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USDA Announces $97 Million Available to Expand Access to Healthy Food, Support Rural Economies
In a speech at the National Farmers Union Convention today, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of $96.8 million in grants to fund innovative projects designed to support specialty crop producers, local food entrepreneurs, and farm to school efforts, which in turn will increase access to healthy, nutritious food for American families and children.
03/16/2015
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USDA Announces Nationwide Expansion of Team Up for School Nutrition Success Initiative
Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced additional support for schools working to serve school children healthy meals with the nationwide expansion of the Team Up for School Nutrition Success Initiative. The initiative will provide school nutrition personnel across the country tailored technical assistance and peer to peer mentoring.
03/09/2015
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USDA Requests Applications for Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center
Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that up to $2.5 million is available to establish the USDA Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center. This competitive grant is part of USDA's efforts to reduce childhood food insecurity in rural communities in America.
09/22/2014
Page updated: February 09, 2021