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Secretary Sonny Perdue announced emergency benefit increases have reached $2.0 billion per month for SNAP households across all 50 states and 3 territories to increase food security during the coronavirus national emergency. These emergency benefits represent a 40% increase in overall monthly SNAP benefits, significantly increasing food purchasing power for American families.

Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program which will provide critical support to our farmers and ranchers, maintain the integrity of our food supply chain, and ensure every American continues to receive and have access to the food they need.

Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced approval for Florida and Idaho’s request to provide online purchasing of food to SNAP households in  Florida and Idaho. This approval will allow the states to expedite the implementation of online purchasing with currently authorized SNAP online retailers with a target start date later this month. 

Secretary Sonny Perdue announced approval for Arizona and California’s request to provide online purchasing of food to SNAP households in Arizona and California. This approval will allow the states to expedite the implementation of online purchasing with currently authorized online retailers with a target start date later this month.

USDA today announced the launch of an online tool – the “Meals for Kids” Site Finder – to help families find meals for children while schools are closed during the coronavirus pandemic. This is the latest in a series of swift actions USDA has taken to keep children and low-income individuals fed during the ongoing health crisis. 

While President Donald J. Trump continues to take action during this COVID-19 National Emergency and enact measures to ensure Americans are safe, secure, and healthy, USDA continues to be open for business to provide services to the American people.

Secretary Sonny Perdue issued this statement following President Donald J. Trump’s Declaration of a National Emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“This is a time we all need to remain ever vigilant, pull together, put any kind of partisanship aside, and do what we need to do for the American people. At USDA, we are working to ensure children who are affected by school closures continue to get fed. We intend to use all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve those affected by the outbreak,” said Secretary Perdue.

USDA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced today that the fifth meeting of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, originally scheduled to be held in Washington, DC, later this week, will move to an online-only format out of an abundance of caution in response to travel restrictions imposed by some of the members' employers for COVID-19. 

USDA has approved a request from California to allow meal service during school closures to minimize potential exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19). These meals are available at no cost to low-income children – and are not required to be served in a group setting – to ensure kids receive nutritious meals while schools are temporarily closed.

USDA has approved a request from Washington State to allow meal service during school closures to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19. These meals are available at no cost to low-income children, and are not required to be served in a group setting, to ensure kids receive nutritious meals while schools are temporarily closed.

Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a proposed rule that will strengthen the way states serve SNAP recipients through Employment and Training at the Jane Addams Resource Corp. in Maryland where they teach low-income adults and workers the skills they need to earn a living wage, connect job seekers with good jobs in the manufacturing sector, and foster the life skills that create a path out of poverty.

In light of historic economic expansion - with a 3.6% unemployment rate and 6.4 million job openings across the nation - Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a proposed rule that will strengthen the way states serve SNAP recipients through Employment and Training.

Deputy Under Secretary Brandon Lipps today highlighted the agency’s many accomplishments over the past year to leverage our nation’s agricultural abundance to ensure every American has access to wholesome, nutritious food, even when they face challenging circumstances. 

Secretary Sonny Perdue today issued the following statement in support of President Donald J. Trump’s National School Lunch Week Proclamation. USDA celebrates food service professionals, school leaders, as well as the farmers, ranchers, and producers who grow the delicious, healthful, American-grown foods that kids enjoy every day in school lunches.

Today, FNS announced a new pair of administrative flexibilities that enable states to leverage modern technologies in their efforts to deliver SNAP benefits with improved customer service and integrity.

USDA today awarded nearly $5.1 million in SNAP Fraud Framework grants to fund innovative state projects designed to reduce recipient fraud and enhance integrity in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.