by Marion Nestle
Aug 4 2022

USDA on the job: feeding kids

I’ve been trying to keep up with USDA press releases, especially those related to food assistance for children.   Here are a few from the last couple of weeks.
I.  USDA Announces Increased Funding for School Meals, Child and Adult Care Meals, Jul 22, 2022  

Effective July 1, 2022, the reimbursement schools receive for each meal served will increase by approximately $0.68 per free/reduced-price lunch and $0.32 per free/reduced price breakfast. Other reimbursement rates, including rates for paid school meals and child care meals, are available online.

With this comes:

II.  USDA Awards over $70 Million in Grants, Increases Access to Local, Healthy Foods for Kids, Jul 25, 2022  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding more than $10 million in Farm to School grants to 123 projects across the country…[these] will serve more than 3 million children at more than 5,000 schools in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Grants by state are here.    Grant awardees with project descriptions are here.

III.  USDA Extends Flexibility that’s Helping Manufacturers, States get Formula to WIC Families Jul 28, 2022

Under this flexibility – which is now extended through the end of September – USDA is covering the added cost of non-contract formula to make it financially feasible for states to allow WIC participants to purchase alternate sizes, forms, or brands of infant formula.

This has to do with the infant formula shortage.  About half the infant formula in America is purchased by the WIC program, which usually contracts with one formula company to serve participants.  The USDA has relaxed restrictions on brands and imports to help deal with the shortages.  For example, it:

  • Provides a toolkit and guidance to WIC state agencies to assist with distributing imported formula.
  • Calls on states to take advantage of all available WIC flexibilities…Now, nearly all state agencies have applicable waivers in place.
  • Provides guidance to Child and Adult Care Food Program operators to help them navigate the shortage.
  • Provides an Infant Formula Shortage Response webpage

Cheers to USDA for taking action.  Action is what our kids deserve.

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