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Rural Health
News by Topic: Food security and nutrition

Nov 1, 2024 - Announces newly awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Planning Grant Program to improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities across the country. Describes projects in numerous states which will support the development or expansion of healthy food retail or food retail supply chain projects.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) making access and parity improvements in USDA's food distribution programs to support access for eligible populations and streamline requirements for program operators. Among other things, changes are aimed at increasing access to food distribution programs so eligible individuals can more easily receive the nutrition resources they need, increasing parity between FDPIR and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), modernizing program operations by updating some outdated terminology and processes, and incorporating lessons learned from implementing these critical programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This rule is effective December 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeking comments on a proposed information collection related to the implementation and effectiveness of modernization projects across all 88 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) State agencies to help identify successes, opportunities for improvement, and areas for additional support from FNS to strengthen project implementation. Comments are due by December 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeking comments on a new information collection request related to the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Information collection will be used to provide current, nationally representative information on FDPIR participants and local program operations across the nation. The information collection will also provide FNS with a better understanding of the reasons for the decline in FDPIR participation and how to streamline and target food and nutrition education efforts, funding, and policy changes. Comments are due by December 24, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 24, 2024 - Highlights an Oklahoma summit discussing food security and food sovereignty for Indigenous tribes. The summit represented a partnership between state and national food banks and tribal leaders.
Source: Fox23
Oct 24, 2024 - Highlights work by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture to stop the spread of H5N1 in California, Washington, and at a national level. Discusses efforts to safeguard human health, animal health, farming businesses, and the food supply.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Oct 16, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Prevention Communication Formative Research." The information collected will be used to improve communication, products, and services that support key office activities including Healthy People, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, health literacy and healthy aging, and more. Comments are due by November 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 15, 2024 - Highlights high rates of food insecurity in rural western North Carolina and how these challenges were exacerbated by Hurricane Helene. Features an Asheville-based food bank that offers food distribution throughout the region, but which incurred significant damages in the storm. Describes ongoing efforts to distribute food to storm-affected rural areas, including pop-up distribution sites, mobile kitchens, and state and federal assistance programs.
Source: NC Health News
Oct 4, 2024 - Describes efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist communities and individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene. Highlights resources for farmers, foresters, and communities including expedited crop insurance payments, disaster assistance programs, and nutrition assistance programs.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Sep 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) withdrawing the May 10, 2016, proposed rule titled "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)." This rule would have amended the SNAP regulations to establish procedures for planning, requesting, and operating D-SNAP. FNS is withdrawing this proposed rule to maintain the flexibility to adapt D-SNAP to unique disaster situations. This withdrawal is effective September 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register