Emergency food providers, such as food banks and school meals programs, will receive an additional $1.9 billion for the purchase of U.S.-grown foods, said the Agriculture Department on Wednesday. Half of the money, $943 million, would be funneled through the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which donates food to states for distribution to charities including food banks.
Some $471.5 million would be used for cooperative agreements with states, tribes, and territories to buy locally produced foods so that food banks, schools, and other organizations can meet the unique local needs of underserved populations, said the USDA.
The remaining $471.5 million would be divided among states for the purchase of U.S.-grown foods for school lunch and breakfast programs. The money will be apportioned by enrollment, the USDA said, so all schools receive some of the funding.