Newsroom

The USDA Northeast Region announced today two new grant opportunities available through the School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants, part of USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative.

As part of USDA’s ongoing efforts to support emergency feeding organizations and ensure families can keep healthy food on the table, USDA has awarded nearly $3.8 million in grants to 27 state agencies for Farm to Food Bank projects.

Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a letter to 47 governors conveying concerns about how challenges in state administration of SNAP are affecting American families. The letter underlines the urgency of the situation and encourages immediate state actions to improve. 

The USDA Midwest Region announced today two new grant opportunities available through the School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants, which is part of USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative.

To further address food insecurity in the U.S. Virgin Islands and provide more equitable resources for island communities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to territory families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer. 

To further address food insecurity in Puerto Rico and provide more equitable resources to remote locations, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to Puerto Rico families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer. 

To further address food insecurity in American Samoa and provide more equitable resources for island communities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to American Samoa families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer. 

To further address food insecurity in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and provide more equitable resources for island communities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to Guam and CNMI families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer.

To further address food insecurity in Hawaii and provide more equitable resources for island communities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to Hawaii families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (has approved the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development’s request to create a demonstration project, Alaska Meals to You, to reduce food insecurity in rural Alaska. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the names of individuals who will hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.

USDA announced that 35 states, all five U.S. territories, and four tribes plan to be the first to launch the new, permanent summer grocery benefits program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer – in summer 2024.

FNS has started receiving official notices from states and tribal nations that intend to operate the new, permanent summer nutrition assistance program for children, known as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer — one of many strategies the department is leveraging to tackle child hunger when schools are closed. 

USDA is marking the end of 2023 by highlighting on-the-ground projects and partnerships that are building economic prosperity for farmers, families, and communities nationwide.