Food banks in Louisiana will receive up to 800,000 packages of shelf-stable food for distribution this month to people in areas struck by Hurricane Ida, said the USDA on Thursday. Each package weighs about 25 pounds, so the total amount of food handled through the Disaster Household Distribution program could total 20 million pounds.
The USDA also has approved a waiver that allows SNAP recipients to purchase hot foods with their benefits through Sept. 28. More than 845,000 Louisianans were enrolled in SNAP at latest count.
The food packages include such items as canned goods, fruit, protein items, and other staples, said the USDA. The Disaster Household Distribution program is available when a disaster disrupts normal food supply channels.