Blog
Critical Need to Increase Food Security in Rural Alaska
A key part of our work to end hunger, improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and reduce diet-related diseases is focusing on historically under-served areas, like rural and Tribal communities. Alaska, for instance, faces unique challenges.
09/20/2023
Blog
FNCS Supports Food Sovereignty of Tribal Nations
Stacy Dean, FNCS Deputy Under Secretary , was inspired by how three tribes - Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe - are dreaming big in terms of food sovereignty through FDIPR and SNAP.
08/01/2023
Blog
Industry Partners’ Role in School Meals is Crucial
Food industry partners play a crucial role in producing, procuring and delivering food for our school meal programs. Despite the challenges that industry and school food service operators have encountered over the past few years, they have continued delivering food and serving nutritious meals to tens of millions of children every day.
03/23/2023
Blog
School Meals Served up Fresh in Southern California
The Urban School Food Alliance winter meeting in Los Angeles, California included FNS sessions focused on child nutrition programs. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions about the child nutrition programs they administer, including the recent updates.
03/10/2023
Blog
USDA Food Assistance Programs at Work in Guam and CNMI
On August 14-19, a leadership team traveled to Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianna Islands to meet with the territories’ leadership, superintendents and commissioners, that administer USDA food assistance programs. They discussed the challenges of transitioning back to pre-pandemic operations, how USDA could assist, and lessons learned.
10/12/2022
Blog
FNS Programs at Work in the San Francisco Bay Area
In early August, Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean and Administrator Cindy Long travelled to San Francisco for meetings and events related to the work FNS does to support local communities - visiting programs that have an impact on addressing hunger.
08/23/2022
Blog
Enrollment in Head Start Programs Now Easier for Families
On May 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families and USDA's Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services partnered to celebrate a step forward in streamlining access to crucial government programs.
07/15/2022
Blog
USDA Advances Market Opportunities through Farm to School Program
It's no secret that supply chain issues experienced across the country have created challenges with food accessibility. Rising COVID-19 cases along with severe weather complicated the flow of goods and services, yet USDA programs have responded with creative solutions to ensure Americans had access to healthy foods.
01/19/2022
Blog
Celebrating National Farmers Market Week
The first week of August, farmers markets across the nation celebrate National Farmers Market Week, highlighting their role in supporting healthy communities, food systems and stimulating local economies.
08/02/2021
Blog
Supporting Local Farmers to Feed Children in Hawaii
We applaud the food service professionals and community partners who have utilized the flexibilities and guidance that USDA has provided to come up with creative ways to get food to the children who need it. In Hawaii, one community college professional found a way to pull resources together for a common cause.
05/21/2020
Blog
School Meals that Rock
When FNS released new school meal flexibilities in November 2017, Kristin Hilleman, a FNS Director in southern California, breathed a big sigh of relief. “It wasn’t a huge change,” said Hilleman. “But it is nice to have a little bit of flexibility, especially with sodium and the use of non-whole wheat, when planning meals, such as spaghetti.”
03/11/2020
Blog
Seven Ways Farm to School Can Make You ‘Cool’
As we celebrate Farm to School Month this October, we can all feel the temperatures cooling down with the fall season. Here are seven ways USDA’s Farm to School Program can make your school and community ‘cooler’ throughout the year!
10/03/2019
Blog
Just Announced ‘Turnip the Beet’ Awards Recognize High-Quality Summer Meals
As school years draw to a close and summer breaks begin, USDA is pleased to announce the third annual Turnip the Beet awardees. These awards recognize outstanding summer meal program sponsors who distinguished themselves with high quality meals that are appetizing, appealing, and wholesome.
06/18/2019
Blog
FNS’ Role in Disaster Response
Ensuring access to nutritious food is critically important when emergencies and disasters happen. Food and Nutrition Service is prepared to work with states and with other federal agencies to support both immediate response and longer-term recovery efforts.
05/10/2019
Page updated: February 25, 2021