News and reports from the Department of Agriculture.

Parents and caregivers will soon begin the routine of preparing and packing school lunches for their children. They play a crucial role in safeguarding their children’s health by ensuring these lunches are safe from foodborne illness and allergens for those with food allergies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service encourages following food safety tips and being allergen aware for a wholesome, worry-free return to the classroom.

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued a statement highlighting President Biden's leadership and its impact on the nation.

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a $90 million investment in 53 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) projects aimed at developing new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. This year's funding increase is attributed to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which specifically supports projects addressing climate change with a focus on reducing livestock emissions of enteric methane.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the names of individuals who hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is awarding $14.3 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants to 154 projects across 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. This investment aims to help 1.9 million children access nutritious foods in school while supporting local farmers and producers.

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the Biden-Harris Administration is making investments to strengthen American food supply chains, increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, create new markets for producers, and lower food costs.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the allocation of $4.5 million to establish three additional USDA Nutrition Hubs across the country. These new hubs aim to advance food and nutrition security and help prevent diet-related chronic diseases, particularly in historically underserved communities.

The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service has awarded $10 million in grants through its partners, Full Plates Full Potential and the Illinois Public Health Institute, as part of the $100 million Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative (HMI). This initiative aims to empower schools to serve nutritious meals that support student growth and development.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a $100 million investment in grants to support states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories in implementing SUN Bucks, a new permanent program aimed at assisting families in purchasing groceries for their children during the summer months. SUN Bucks, also referred to as Summer EBT, is part of USDA’s broader Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids (SUN Programs), which seek to reduce costs for families and enhance food and nutrition security when school meals are unavailable.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) welcomed 32 faculty and staff from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Hispanic-Serving School Districts (HSSDs) to the 2024 class of E. Kika De La Garza (EKDLG) Fellows on July 8, 2024. This initiative aims to educate participants on USDA services and programs, benefiting their students and communities as part of USDA’s commitment to advancing equity in professional development opportunities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income Iowa residents recovering from the impact of flooding beginning June 16, 2024, could be eligible for assistance through the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income New Mexico residents recovering from the impact of wildfires and flooding beginning June 17, 2024, could be eligible for assistance through the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2024 – On July Fourth, the aroma of barbecue will fill the air as festivities bring together family and friends to celebrate with quintessential American cooking pastimes: grilling and smoking. Food is a significant staple when it comes to celebrating Independence Day, aside from the fireworks. Whether sizzling burgers on the grill or slow-cooking ribs in the smoker, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service is urging everyone to take food safety precautions during food preparations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications starting on Monday, July 1 through its updated Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP). This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to eligible dairy producers who incur milk losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) infection in their dairy herds. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded ELAP through the rule-making process to assist with a portion of financial losses resulting from reduced milk production when cattle are removed from...

GENEVA, N.Y., June 26, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony today for a new USDA grape research facility on the Cornell AgriTech campus.