Equity as the Driver of Change: USDA Program Improvements

“The Role of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service” report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) outlines the organization’s longstanding commitment to ending hunger, reducing diet-related diseases, and promoting health equity. The document provides insights into the identity of the USDA and its beneficiaries, highlights ongoing initiatives, and discusses the significance of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health hosted by the Biden Administration on September 28, 2022. Additionally, it touches upon the pivotal role of the first White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health in 1969, along with key accomplishments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A History of Change
Since the 1969 conference, the programs administered by the USDA have undergone a process of evolution and enhancement. Over the years, these initiatives have been subject to systematic changes aimed at improving their effectiveness, responsiveness, and overall impact. The trajectory of transformation initiated in 1969 reflects a commitment to adapt and innovate, ensuring that the programs under the USDA remain dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of the population they serve. This ongoing history of change underscores the dedication to continuous improvement, allowing these programs to effectively address emerging challenges and provide vital support to individuals and communities.
The Food Stamps program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP), increased the number of American beneficiaries from 2 million people served in 1968 to 11 million people by 1971.The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) also saw a significant expansion, serving 2 million children before the conference and expanding to 8 million children by 1971. Additionally, the National School Breakfast Program gained permanent authorization in 1975, after starting in 1969 based on The Black Panther Party’s Free Breakfast for School Children Program. The pilot for the Supplemental Feeding Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was authorized in 1972, laying the foundation for the WIC program we know today. Furthermore, the conference set the stage for the development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are fundamental to Federal nutrition assistance programs and serve as the basis for MyPlate, the USDA’s guide to healthy eating.
Motivations of Change
Equity and racial justice are key USDA priorities. Food insecurity and health disparities faced by Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities, along with others, persist due to barriers deeply rooted in structural racism. Moving forward, to ensure USDA’s mission is fulfilled, improvements will be addressed with an emphasis on health equity lens to enhance programs and address diverse needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity for adaptability and change. With increased resources, FNS efficiently responded to the hunger crisis, collaborating with state and tribal governments, school districts, food banks, and more. Key actions included raising SNAP benefits, implementing Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) to substitute lost school meals, and expanding the ability to use SNAP benefits online. These actions showcase the importance of flexibility in addressing unforeseen challenges and ensuring food security.
Program Changes and Improvements
The USDA is dedicated to addressing inequities in nutrition and health outcomes, striving to eliminate barriers to program access that perpetuate existing disparities. Initiatives include the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative, aimed at promoting tribal food sovereignty and incorporating indigenous perspectives into policies. Efforts also extend to improving outreach in underserved remote and rural communities through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency grants. Collaboration with advocacy groups focuses on enhancing emergency feeding networks to accommodate dietary preferences such as kosher or Halal.
Collaboration
Additionally, collaboration with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture involves implementing programs like Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which incentivizes healthy food purchases among SNAP participants. GusNIP projects, by bringing together stakeholders from different sectors, contribute to improving health and nutrition, fostering growth in underrepresented communities, and identifying best practices.
Further actions involve working with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to distribute USDA foods to USDA programs, supporting research on food security, access to food stores, and program trends by sharing data with the USDA Economic Research Service. Enhancing access to healthy food retailers through USDA Rural Development’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) which provides loans, grants, and other assistance resources to improve access to nutritious foods.
Modernization
Efforts to modernize SNAP and WIC include enabling online shopping for SNAP households, with a notable increase in participation. The USDA is actively expanding online shopping availability and ensuring inclusion of smaller retailers and farmers.
Distribution
In terms of food distribution, investments have been made to fund FDPIR Self-Determination Demonstration Projects, allowing tribal nations to enter contracts for foods offered in the program. This enables tribes to align the FDPIR food package with their dietary preferences and traditional foods, supporting indigenous producers. The overall commitment is to create a more inclusive, accessible, and responsive food assistance system.
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