Rural Hunger and Access to Healthy Food – News

USDA and Reinvestment Fund Invest Nearly $6 Million to Increase Equitable Access to Healthy Foods Across Country

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.

view details

FNS: Food Distribution Programs: Improving Access and Parity Federal Register

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between FDPIR and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), modernizing program operations by updating some outdated terminology and processes, and incorporating lessons learned from implementing these critical programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.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.

view details

FNS: Agency Information Collection Activities: WIC & FMNP Outreach, Innovation, and Modernization Evaluation 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.

view details

FNS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Participant Characteristics and Program Operations Study 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.

view details

FNS: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP); Withdrawal Federal Register

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.

view details