USDA is working tirelessly to tackle food and nutrition insecurity. Dr. Caree Cotwright, Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity, reflects on progress and work ahead to advance food and nutrition security.
FNS hosted a webinar to provide state agencies and food banks with information about how TEFAP can support cultural and religious practices around food, particularly those serving kosher and halal observant communities. The webinar featured panelists from state agencies and food banks who have successfully implemented processes to serve these specific communities.
FNS hosted a second webinar to provide program stakeholders with additional information on supporting kosher observant communities through TEFAP.
This webinar discusses the current programs available to provide food and administrative funds for state agencies to support food banks and emergency feeding programs. The presentation provides an overview of resources available to The Emergency Food Assistance Program, including Congressionally appropriated program funds, Section 32 bonus foods, and the recent commitment from USDA to provide additional food and administrative support using the Commodity Credit Corporation. We also highlight the Reach and Resiliency grant opportunity and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program.
FNS held a webinar for state agencies on how to use the Summer Food Service Program Management Evaluation Tool to prepare for upcoming MEs. The webinar covers important terminology, instructions on gaining access, and the step-by step process of the ME within the Tool from Notification to Closure.
The purpose of this section is to establish dialogue with SDA staff regarding corrective action(s) from the prior ME as well as any unresolved issues; state laws, policy, or legislation that would impact operation of the program under review; and the number of SDA staff, salary allocation, and vacancies.
The following review tools are provided as a convenience to FNS regional office and state agency reviewers for use with “Conducting Program Access Reviews at Local Food Stamp Offices: A Guide for FNS Regional Offices, For Adaptation by State Agencies.”
This guidance, which updates the original August 2000 guidance, is provided to assist FNS regional offices in conducting PARs. It is intended that state agencies will adapt this guidance when monitoring the program access portion of the ME reviews of their food stamp project areas (or counties).