Items Tagged with 'food assistance'

States are scrambling to provide reduced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for November, but it’s not clear exactly when people enrolled in the program will get them.

Flags are at half-staff at USDA and across the federal government following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who called Kirk a “dear friend and brother,” quickly posted a long statement shortly after his death.

President Donald Trump has sent a $9.4 billion package of proposed spending rescissions to Capitol Hill, and the targets include some foreign food assistance initiatives.

The Trump administration is considering ending a food assistance program for low-income seniors and rebooting a food box program similar to one implemented during the pandemic.

Congressional Republican leaders remain miles apart on their tax and spending plans after essentially agreeing to disagree on key elements. They’ve essentially kicked the tough decisions down the road that would have far-reaching effects for agriculture and rural America. 

Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson won re-election as speaker of the House on Friday after laying out fresh plans for controlling federal spending.  Following the vote, House Freedom Caucus members detailed a new list of demands, including restrictions on SNAP purchasing.  

USDA is funding $46 million in projects through its Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program and Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.

The House Agriculture Committee is pressing USDA for transparency on its decision to consolidate contractors for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation, a move that has resulted in food shortages in participating tribal communities. 

Witnesses at a House Ag hearing on nutrition programs called for a stronger emphasis on health outcomes and improving job opportunities for those receiving food assistance. Committee members, meanwhile, used the hearing to vocalize their positions on potential reforms in the coming farm bill.