The USDA has increased efforts over the past couple of months to help make sure Americans have access to food during these uncertain times.

"USDA has provided for states to issue emergency supplemental SNAP benefits which is totaling more than $2 billion per month and additional spending in SNAP program," said deputy undersecretary, Brandon Lipps, as he talked about the food stamp program.

"We've also implemented what many know as the pandemic EBT program which congress provided for in the COVID Relief Bill which provides an additional $114 per month per child to SNAP recipients for those children who are no longer receiving breakfast and lunch at school."

Other programs include a pilot to allow SNAP benefits to be used for online purchases and Meals-to-You, "which is shipping boxes of food to kids in rural America and the more than 76,000 sites that have been set up for children to come pick up foods."

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

More From PNW Ag Network