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Nutrition Assistance Response in Flint

November 17, 2016 Amy Schober, Office of Emergency Management, Food and Nutrition Service

USDA’s emergency food program in Flint, Mich., offers a unique response to the city’s lead crisis. To support the health of the area’s low-income residents, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service promotes key nutrients and adequate diets. “This community is an old manufacturing town. A lot of the factory...

Food and Nutrition

USDA Seeks Grant Applications for Projects to Test Fruit and Vegetable Incentives

November 16, 2016 Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

Like other Americans, folks participating in the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. As USDA’s Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, it’s a fact that I recognize and a fact we’re working to address in innovative...

Food and Nutrition

Local School Wellness Policy Toolkit Now Available

November 15, 2016 Franciel Dawes, MS, RD, Nutritionist, Child Nutrition Programs, Food and Nutrition Service

New resources are now available to help school districts engage parents and school staff in Local School Wellness Policy efforts. A Local School Wellness Policy is a written document that guides school district’s efforts to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being...

Food and Nutrition

USDA Helps Iraqi War Veteran Enhance Conservation On Farm

November 14, 2016 Jason Johnson, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Des Moines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is helping Iraq War veteran Adam Boge improve technology and other efficiencies in his new farming operation, allowing the Ventura farmer to prepare for long-term success in the first full year on his own. Boge enlisted in the Army directly out of high school...

Conservation Food and Nutrition Farming

Harvest Time: Celebrating Native American Heritage and Traditional Foods in FDPIR

November 14, 2016 Lindsay Williams, Food Distribution Division, USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Autumn is a time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for, as we enjoy the harvest of nature’s bounty during gatherings with family and friends. In Indian Country, culture and tradition are sustained through shared meals with family and the community. Traditional foods are a powerful way...

Conservation Food and Nutrition

Promoting Integrity through Improved Technology

November 10, 2016 Janna Raudenbush, Public Affairs Specialist, Food and Nutrition Service

If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you already know that USDA is committed to continuously improving the integrity of their programs. We strive to operate our programs effectively and efficiently. We aim to provide program participants with the best service possible, while ensuring taxpayers...

Food and Nutrition

Growth and Opportunity in the Organic Sector

November 10, 2016 Elanor Starmer, Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator

Since USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) implemented the organic regulations in 2002, the U.S. organic sector has tripled in size to over 22,000 certified organic operations with over $43 billion in U.S. retail sales. Demand for organic products is expected to continue growing. This strong...

Food and Nutrition Farming Trade

Biosecurity Education and Compliance are Critical in Preventing Avian Influenza Outbreaks

November 01, 2016 Stephanie Pearl, Science Communicator, National Institute of Food and Agriculture

The December 2014 to June 2015 avian influenza outbreak was the largest animal health emergency in U.S. history. The virus contributed to the death of more than 48 million birds, either due to infection with the virus or depopulation to prevent additional spread. The virus was introduced into the U...

Food and Nutrition Research and Science

Military Family Makes Healthy Eating a Priority: Meet Rocio and Her Family

November 01, 2016 Colette Rihane, MS, RD and Joanne Spahn, MS, RD, retired USAF Veterans with the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

Making healthy meal choices for your family, especially when you’re on the go like Rocio and her military family, can be rewarding and fun if you have the right tools. The MyPlate, MyWins video: Meet Rocio features a real-life military family sharing their tips for success. Rocio shows how she and...

Food and Nutrition

Louisiana's Secret Ingredient

October 31, 2016 Rachel Spencer, Farm to School Regional Lead, Food and Nutrition Service, Southwest Regional Office

On October 22, the newest celebrity chefs of Alexandria, La. gathered at the Inglewood Farm’s Harvest Barn Market to celebrate National Farm to School Month. Their purpose: emerge victorious from the Farm to School Iron Chef Competition. This competition challenged contestants to create a dish using...

Food and Nutrition