USDA, Others Continue To Look At Ways To Feed Children In Need

With a variety of schools closed nationwide because of the coronavirus pandemic, the USDA continues to work with a variety of groups, businesses and people trying to determine innovative ways to feed children in need.

"We announced an expanded partnership with the Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty; McClain Global and PepsiCo.," said USDA Food and Nutrition Administrator, Pam Miller. "From April to August the emergency Meals-to-You program delivered nearly 40 million meals directly to the doorsteps of eligible children living in rural areas."

Speaking recently to the bi-partisan policy center, Miller, pointed to a program called Pandemic EBT as one option.

"Which provides the value of school breakfast and lunch to children who would otherwise receive free and reduced price school meals."

USDA has approved Pandemic EBT for all 50 states, Washington D.C, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Other innovations include online purchasing in the SNAP program.

"Online purchasing and SNAP is available in 46 states and the District of Columbia, covering more than 97% of all SNAP households nationwide," Miller.

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