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The temporary boost to SNAP benefits, known as emergency allotments, will end nationwide after the February 2023 issuance. These Q&As can help answer questions about this and other changes to SNAP benefits.
Proposed Updates to the School Nutrition Standards
Based on the latest nutrition science and extensive feedback from our partners, FNS is proposing updates to the school nutrition standards in a few key areas.
FNS has a long history of helping to end hunger, reduce diet-related diseases, and accelerate health equity. This report explains who we are, who we serve and highlights key work underway.
The White House released a National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. USDA is a key player in these efforts, touching each of the five pillars.
USDA Provides Additional Funds to Food Banks and School Meal Programs
Nearly $2 billion in additional funds will help organizations endure supply chain challenges and elevated food costs as they provide nutritious foods to kids and families.
USDA continues to work closely with the White House, HHS and FDA to support families through this challenging time and to bring to a swift end to the shortage.
As the first step in the development of the next Dietary Guidelines, HHS and USDA are releasing proposed scientific questions for public comment. The comment period will be open for 30 days from April 15 through May 16.
Our mission is to increase food security and reduce hunger by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet and nutrition education in a way that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence.
Who to contact
Most nutrition assistance programs funded by FNS are administered at the state, territory, tribal, or local levels. Select your state, territory, or tribal organization from the dropdowns below to find contact information
Assistance for People of All Ages
Our 15 nutrition assistance programs touch the lives of one in four Americans each year, from infants to the elderly. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net, ensuring that no eligible American goes hungry.
Our 15 nutrition assistance programs touch the lives of one in four Americans each year, from infants to the elderly. Taken together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net, ensuring that no eligible American goes hungry.
Our nutrition programs supplement the diets of babies, young children and women with healthy foods, while offering guidance with other needs, including nutrition education and health care referrals.
Assistance for Children from Kindergarten to 12th grade
FNS partners with state agencies to help fight hunger and obesity among school-age children by administering several year-round programs that provide healthy meals.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
USDA's food distribution programs support consumers and American agricultural producers through purchases of 100% American-grown and -produced foods for use by schools and institutions.
Our child nutrition programs help to ensure that children have access to nutritious meals and snacks in schools, summer programs, childcare centers and homes, and afterschool programs.
The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion works to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers.
In lieu of SNAP, the NAP block grants provide food assistance to low-income households in the U.S. territories of the Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the CNMI.
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FNS will stand side-by-side with our federal, state and local partners to ensure SNAP participants are aware of this change and to continue providing nutrition assistance to anyone in need. https://t.co/7RWSKvNRmOhttps://t.co/1jQvmXUq4h
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Yesterday, FNS Administrator Cindy Long met with @urbanschoolfood board members in LA to express gratitude for their steadfast commitment to feeding children and to discuss the importance of collaboration as we work to provide students with fresh, healthy and delicious meals. https://t.co/9kW4HisQqD
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RT @TeamNutrition: Encourage kindergarteners to develop healthy eating habits and physically active lifestyles through Discover MyPlate: Nu…
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RT @USDA: Through our nutrition assistance programs, we're setting the nation on a path of ending hunger, enhancing nutrition and improving…
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In an effort to keep kids healthy and help them reach their full potential, Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean joined local nutrition partners @HISDNutrition, @HoustonISD + more for a stakeholder roundtable on “beyond the plate". https://t.co/FhqTy78nWL
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It's National Pride in Food Service Week, and we want to thank all food service and school nutrition professionals for their hard work, dedication, and positivity! https://t.co/tKAHzpAeOe
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RT @SecVilsack: When we invest in the quality and health of school meals we're building positive outcomes for students, families, faculty,…
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RT @HealthGov: Come join us! The first official meeting of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will be held on February 9–10, 20…
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RT @nokidhungry: School meals are an important source of nutrition, especially for the 1 in 8 kids who live with hunger in the U.S.
Hear…
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RT @Act4HlthyKids: Action for Healthy Kids has signed a cooperative agreement with @USDANutrition to develop & implement the Healthy Meals…
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RT @fractweets: Join a webinar this Wednesday, February 8 at 1 pm Eastern on the #WIC Community Innovation and Outreach subgrant, supporte…
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RT @SecVilsack: Community colleges play a critical role in transforming our rural economies.
This morning, I was honored to attend #NLS20…
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RT @SecVilsack: We're taking steps through the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative to reward schools that go above and beyond in the health…
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RT @SecVilsack: Today, I'm announcing proposed changes to school meals to ensure they meet the latest science on nutrition. The Biden-Harri…
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RT @usedgov: Research shows that kids with healthier eating patterns have better academic performance. Keep those hearts healthy and minds…
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RT @SecVilsack: At the @WhiteHouse Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health last year, we committed to making school meals even healthie…
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RT @USDA: Today @SecVilsack announced major initiatives that will support and enhance the health of America's children through nutritious s…
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RT @USDA: At the USDA Conversation on Healthy School Meals Roundtable, @SecVilsack announced that USDA continues to support efforts to enha…
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RT @USDA: Tune in LIVE today at 12 PM ET for a virtual conversation with child nutrition stakeholders where @SecVilsack will announce Biden…
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RT @HealthGov: We invite you to participate in the #DietaryGuidelines public comment period! Submit your comments to the 2025 Dietary Guide…
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Beginning March 2023 all states will return to issuing standard SNAP benefit amounts without the pandemic-related bonus known as emergency allotments (EA). Learn more about these changes with this infographic https://t.co/nabqhcId9ghttps://t.co/kvu7WMetNI
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RT @TeamNutrition: Looking for informational texts to use in your 8th grade English class? Check out this student article on “Sodium and Yo…
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RT @fractweets: Far too few #WIC eligible individuals participate in the program. Innovative outreach and modernization strategies can help…
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RT @USDA: Join us LIVE on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at 12 PM ET for a virtual roundtable where @SecVilsack will announce major steps USDA is ta…
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RT @USDA: Each February, we have the honor of celebrating the generations of Black Americans whose courage, advocacy & patriotism have enri…
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RT @SecVilsack: As we mark the beginning of Black History Month, we are reminded of the power each of us holds to write a more just and hop…
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We're celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth by highlighting Black Americans that influenced FNS history. This week, we're featuring John Lewis, who worked to protect SNAP, WIC, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and other social safety net programs. https://t.co/C9Ucr7AvIf
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Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean joined local nutrition partner @HoustonISD for a stakeholder roundtable discussion. The talk focused on “beyond the plate,” which seeks to increase capability and capacity within communities to ensure they have access to healthy food choices. https://t.co/xFVs6kSRaa
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RT @TeamNutrition: Inspire tiny chefs by conducting food activities in the kindergarten classroom or at home. Check out Discover MyPlate re…
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@USDANutrition #OnThisDay in 1964, President Lindon B. Johnson requested Congress to pass legislation making the Food Stamp Program permanent. Learn more about this historic day: https://t.co/jYdATK5mcS
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RT @USDA: Don’t let delivery and takeout foods fumble your #SuperBowlLVII! Follow some tips from the food safety playbook to tackle foodbor…
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RT @fractweets: Join us tomorrow, February 1 at 1 PM ET, for an overview webinar of the RFA for the #WIC Community Innovation & Outreach su…
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@USDANutrition #DYK: An increasing number of schools are sourcing locally grown foods for their #schoolmeals and snacks. If you are a farmer, rancher, fisherman, or other food producer check out this fact sheet on selling local foods to schools! https://t.co/OWzA6k9OiXhttps://t.co/GBQOxxFixK
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Last month Administrator Cindy Long met with healthy school meal advocates in Nevada to hear about how they were successful in getting legislation passed to feed all school children, regardless of ability to pay, across the state. Learn more https://t.co/fB36hfbjtp#SchoolMealshttps://t.co/XUGrEZmbNn
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In this video clip, Deputy Undersecretary Stacy Dean discusses the importance of the SNAP E&T program and the SNAP E&T National Forum. #SNAPET2022https://t.co/axOF2wemsx