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Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced that more than half of the nation’s high-poverty schools are now offering breakfasts and lunches to students at no cost through the new Community Eligibility Provision, made possible by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The provision improves access to nutritious meals for low-income students while reducing administrative burdens for households and schools.

Today USDA announced the selection of eight states to participate in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables, as directed by the Agricultural Act of 2014, also known as the Farm Bill. Under the pilot, California, Connecticut, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin will be able to increase their purchases of locally-grown fruits and vegetables for their school meal programs.

Complementary programs that extend the reach of the USDA summer meal programs could help reduce childhood food insecurity during the summer, according to three studies released today by FNS. The studies found that making enhancements to the traditional program, or utilizing alternate methods of reaching eligible children, could reach additional children and reduce childhood food insecurity during the summer to levels normally seen in the fall.

USDA is commemorating the 40th anniversary of the WIC program. WIC was established in 1974 to reduce infant mortality and improve the health of our nation’s children and is considered one of the most successful, cost-effective and important nutrition intervention programs in the country.

USDA awarded $4 million in grants to establish four regional centers of excellence for research on nutrition education and obesity prevention, as well as a coordinating center, which will develop and test innovative nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions for underserved, low-income families.

Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced the release of just over $5 million in grant funds to identify, track and prevent misuse of SNAP benefits by program recipients.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that up to $2.5 million is available to establish the USDA Rural Child Poverty Nutrition Center. This competitive grant is part of USDA's efforts to reduce childhood food insecurity in rural communities in America.

USDA today announced that up to $200 million in competitive grants is available for state SNAP agencies to design and conduct employment and training pilot projects to help SNAP participants find jobs and increase their earnings.

Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced the release of a Request for Applications from states interested in participating in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced the release of nearly $34 million in fiscal year 2014 funds to WIC agencies in states, territories and Indian tribal organizations in support of technology improvements.

Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced the availability of up to $7 million in grant funds to prevent recipient trafficking in SNAP.

Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced the release of nearly $60 million in fiscal year 2014 funds to WIC agencies in states, territories, and Indian tribal organizations in support of breastfeeding peer counselor programs in WIC.

Secretary Tom Vilsack visited a Chicago school today to encourage more Chicago-area schools and community-based organizations to participate in USDA's summer meal programs to help ensure no child goes hungry during the summer months. 

Under Secretary Concannon today announced significant progress in combating fraud in SNAP.

Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced new funding opportunities for state agencies and Indian tribal organizations to develop innovative strategies to prevent hunger and food insecurity. 

FNCS Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced that USDA is making permanent the current flexibility that allows schools to serve larger portions of lean protein and whole grains at mealtime.