USDA

Scott Heins / Getty Images

4:29pm Aug 17, 2021

National National Politics & Government

Here's What The Historic Increase In Food Stamp Benefits Could Mean For You

by Rachel Treisman

The average SNAP benefit will increase by $36.24 per person, per month, starting in October.
Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

2:17pm Jun 11, 2021

Politics & Government Politics & Government Environment

U.S. Farmers Of Color Were About To Get Loan Forgiveness. Now The Program Is On Hold

by Joe Hernandez

A new federal program created by the Biden administration to reverse years of economic discrimination against U.S. farmers of color has ground to a halt.
Melina Mara / The Washington Post via Getty Images

11:34am Jun 05, 2021

National National

The USDA Is Set To Give Black Farmers Debt Relief. They've Heard That One Before

by Emma Hurt

The U.S. Agriculture Department is sending aid for debt relief to struggling farmers of color beginning this month. But many Black farmers distrust the department after decades of failed promises.

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4:00pm Jun 03, 2021

Health & Safety Health & Safety

NC Gets Approval To Extend Pandemic Food Assistance Program

by Keri Brown
3:55pm May 24, 2021

Education Education

USDA Extends Free Meals For All Kids During Summer

by Keri Brown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending waivers that give school districts across the country more flexibility to provide free summer meals for children.
8:43am Apr 06, 2021

Education Education

Bill Could Impact How Schools Budget For Child Nutrition Program

by Keri Brown
Charlie Riedel / AP

5:34pm Mar 13, 2021

National National Politics & Government

Black Farmers Have Long Faced Discrimination. New Aid Aims To Right Past Wrongs

Generations of systemic discrimination have decimated the number of Black farmers in the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talked with NPR about new funding for debt relief.

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Jamie Squire / Getty Images

12:13pm Feb 02, 2021

National National

USDA Research Agencies 'Decimated' By Forced Move. Undoing The Damage Won't Be Easy

by Frank Morris

When the Trump administration moved two of the Agriculture Department's research agencies to Kansas City, many of the experienced employees left. Fixing this will be tricky for President Biden.

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Evan Vucci / AP

2:24pm Sep 03, 2020

Science Science Environment Health & Safety

How Trump's Food Box Initiative Overpaid And Underdelivered

by Dan Charles

The Trump administration has been buying food from farmers and getting it to food banks. Food banks, however, say the program was not set up to deliver food efficiently.
8:58pm Aug 11, 2020

Education Education

NC School Districts Scramble As Some Nutrition Waivers Near End

by Keri Brown

Many state school districts are worried about reaching vulnerable students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals, as buildings remain closed because of COVID-19 concerns.
Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images

10:39am May 22, 2020

Health & Safety Health & Safety

Food Banks Get The Love, But SNAP Does More To Fight Hunger

by Dan Charles

The charitable organizations called food banks are getting a lot of attention and donations right now. But they aren't nearly as important or effective as SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.

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Matthew Hatcher / Bloomberg via Getty Images

1:56pm May 15, 2020

National National Economy Politics & Government

USDA Secretary Says Despite Plant Closures, He Does Not Anticipate Food Shortages

by Steve Inskeep

Sonny Perdue says he expects "85-90% production in probably a very few days or weeks." He also says the government is stepping up efforts to buy food from farmers and distribute it to families.

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