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Tribal nations are filling gaps while a USDA food distribution program struggles

Sep 4, 2024
Back in February, the USDA told tribal leaders it was consolidating the FDPIR supply chain from two warehouses serving tribes all over the country to just one.
"There’s challenges in rural areas to buying food," said Mary Greene Trottier, director of the Spirit Lake Tribe's Food Distribution Program. "That’s why FDPIR exists in the first place."
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Now that pandemic SNAP benefits have ended, many scramble for food

May 23, 2024
The number of Americans facing food insecurity has increased. People are turning to food pantries, soup kitchens and each other.
When emergency nutrition assistance expired, millions of Americans suddenly had hundreds of dollars less per month for food. 
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Summer EBT will help families buy groceries. But 14 states are opting out.

Apr 12, 2024
Administrative costs and a lack of political will are leading some states to turn down a new food aid program for children.
While $40 per child per month may not solve child food insecurity, it could help families that struggle with grocery costs.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

The USDA just approved the first online-only grocer to accept SNAP benefits

Feb 22, 2024
Online grocery delivery can be a lifeline for SNAP recipients who have disabilities or lack reliable access to transportation.
Thrive Market is the the first online-only grocer to begin accepting SNAP benefits.
Courtesy Thrive Market

New summer vacation grocery assistance will help feed millions of children

Jan 12, 2024
The USDA's new Summer EBT program fills gaps left by its existing Summer Food Service Program, where families only get free meals at a specific site.
Summer EBT gives families flexibility to buy their preferred foods,
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Feeding America CEO urges "using your voices" in fight against hunger

Dec 21, 2023
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot discusses food inflation, food insecurity and efforts to influence government policymakers.
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot points out that with higher costs at the supermarket, food banks are receiving fewer food donations.
RyanJLane/Getty Images

Food insecurity climbed in 2022 as pandemic aid ended

Oct 26, 2023
Nearly 13% of U.S. families struggled to put food on the table that year, according to the USDA — 5 million more households than the year before.
Nearly 5 million more households experienced food insecurity in 2022 than the year before. Above, a halal food distribution drive in Brooklyn.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Why do some states still have a grocery tax?

Sep 6, 2023
The poorest Americans spend the largest share of their paychecks on food at home.
Across the U.S., state grocery taxes can range from less than 1% to 7% on non-prepared foods.
Elijah Nouvelage

USDA proposes rules to expand access to free school lunches

Mar 29, 2023
The agency wants to help more school districts cover the costs of universal free meals.
Universal free meals kept a lot of kids from going hungry at the height of the pandemic, said the Urban Institute's Emily Gutierrez.
Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

A year into the Ukraine war, global food insecurity is at a record high

Feb 23, 2023
In many countries, including Egypt, staples like bread have become much more expensive and harder to come by.
Roger Anis/Getty Images