Rural Hunger and Access to Healthy Food – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Jul 1, 2024 - Nonprofit organization Teen Turf and the Ogle County Health Department in Illinois have partnered to create 4 rural mini food centers, where food is available 24/7. Funding for the project came from a 3-year grant providing $500,000 each year, and also supports education, a community garden, and gardening classes in collaboration with University of Illinois Extension.
Source: The Amboy News
Jun 24, 2024 - Outlines the launch of the federal Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (FARE Fund), which will provide $60 million in loans, grants, and technical assistance to support access to healthy foods in rural and underserved communities. Describes projects eligible for funding including land acquisition, equipment purchases, and construction by food retailers and suppliers.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jun 20, 2024 - Discusses food deserts in rural Kansas and associated health disparities. Highlights past and planned research on food insecurity and anticipated outcomes.
Source: KUMC
Jun 5, 2024 - Announces that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will award over $42 million under the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program, $18 million for projects under the Tribal Forest Protection Act, and $2.3 million to support the Indigenous Foods in School Meals programs.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jun 5, 2024 - Describes efforts to secure additional funding for Colorado's Healthy School Meals for All program, which offers free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 students. Notes disproportionately high rates of food insecurity in rural areas, where residents may face transportation barriers to food access. Outlines an additional program which funds the purchasing of local foods for school meals.
Source: The Daily Yonder
HHS: Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
Federal Register
May 20, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) regarding the re-establishment of a matching program between HHS/ACF/OCSS and state agencies administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The matching program compares state SNAP agency records with information maintained in the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) system of records maintained by OCSS. This matching program helps state agencies with establishing or verifying eligibility for applicants and recipients of SNAP benefits, reducing SNAP benefit errors, and maintaining program integrity. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
May 13, 2024 - Describes a collaborative program between University of Colorado Boulder researchers and the Cuba, New Mexico Independent School District. Students, teachers, and stakeholders from neighboring rural communities and Navajo Nation chapters participate in an annual six-week summer program. Past sessions have focused on topics such as mental health needs and healthy food access.
Source: University of Colorado Boulder School of Education
May 10, 2024 - Describes steps taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help reduce the impact of H5N1 on bovines and humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are increasing screening and testing capacity, genomic sequencing, and other interventions to protect the safety of dairy and other food items.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Last Updated: 7/2/2024