USDA
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.
USDA Research Agencies 'Decimated' By Forced Move. Undoing The Damage Won't Be Easy
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.
How Trump's Food Box Initiative Overpaid And Underdelivered
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.
NC School Districts Scramble As Some Nutrition Waivers Near End
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.
Food Banks Get The Love, But SNAP Does More To Fight Hunger
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.
USDA Secretary Says Despite Plant Closures, He Does Not Anticipate Food Shortages
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.
Coronavirus Pandemic Complicates Getting Groceries With SNAP
Most SNAP benefit recipients need to shop in person— a problem for those at high risk for COVID-19
Comment Period Ends For Proposal That Would Cut SNAP Benefits For Millions
The Trump administration says it wants to close a "loophole" that allows states to give benefits to those who would not otherwise be eligible by raising or eliminating income and asset limits.
Critics Of Relocating USDA Research Agencies Point To Brain Drain
More than 250 employees have quit, and others are expected to follow suit before the Sept. 30 deadline for reporting to work in the Kansas City area. Critics of the move say research will suffer.