Blog
Nutrition Security in Action: A New Blog Series
It’s an honor to serve as USDA’s first director of nutrition security and health equity at the Food and Nutrition Service. In this role I have the privilege of working to ensure all Americans have consistent access to safe, healthy, and affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being.
06/03/2022
Blog
Tribal Food Sovereignty a Focus of NAFDPIR Conference
Since 1977, tribes and intertribal organizations have been eligible to receive food packages from the USDA. Historically, products in the food packages were not traditional to tribes participating in the program. However, in recent years and in consultation with tribes, more traditional products have been incorporated into food packages.
11/14/2022
Blog
USDA Food Assistance Programs at Work in Guam and CNMI
On August 14-19, a leadership team traveled to Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianna Islands to meet with the territories’ leadership, superintendents and commissioners, that administer USDA food assistance programs. They discussed the challenges of transitioning back to pre-pandemic operations, how USDA could assist, and lessons learned.
10/12/2022
Blog
School Meals that Rock
When FNS released new school meal flexibilities in November 2017, Kristin Hilleman, a FNS Director in southern California, breathed a big sigh of relief. “It wasn’t a huge change,” said Hilleman. “But it is nice to have a little bit of flexibility, especially with sodium and the use of non-whole wheat, when planning meals, such as spaghetti.”
03/11/2020
Blog
Cultivating Health, Nutrition & Innovation in the Land of Enchantment
USDA FNS Administrator and regional FNS leadership visited New Mexico to recognize several FNS nutrition assistance programs in action and learn how FNS can support their work. New Mexico is one of the first states to offer healthy meals to all children, ensuring more kids have access to the meals they need to thrive at school and beyond.
06/23/2023
Blog
Cultural Relevance in SNAP-Ed: Let’s Get “Real”
Oklahoma Tribal Engagement Partners collaborates with sovereign tribal nations and tribal organizations throughout Oklahoma to tailor SNAP-Ed programming to meet the needs of Native families. Over time, focus groups have expressed what matters to Natives: the need to be “real.” As organizations look to develop culturally relevant programming, they must step back and listen to what matters to families.
11/02/2022
Blog
Pilot Light: Collaborating with Educators to Teach Students about Food
With a desire to create healthy relationships between American children and food, a group of chefs created Pilot Light in 2010. This program partners with Pre K–12 teachers to make food education a part of everyday classroom lessons. Through holistic food education, students learn about the cultivation and preparation of food and the connection to our culture, relationships, history, and the environment.
10/19/2022
Blog
Farmers and Ranchers - The Foundation of our Nation’s Nutrition Assistance Programs
You may be familiar with Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech that he delivered to the FFA Convention in November 1978. What he said then still rings true today. He describes the hard work and sacrifices as well as the gentle family spirit and sense of community that farmers and ranchers have provided from generation to generation across our great country.
10/11/2019
Blog
My Groceries to Go
In May 2022, FNS Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator joined Maryland Department of Aging Deputy Secretary at Sandtown Winchester Senior Center in West Baltimore.
09/15/2022
Blog
Caring for Our Clients
To all WIC staff around the U.S., territories, and tribal nations, we are grateful for your creative problem-solving and commitment to caring for people during this challenging time.
06/13/2022
Page updated: February 09, 2021