USDA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2021 – Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the implementation of President Biden’s pay initiatives to recognize and support federal wildland firefighters. The initiatives will increase the amount paid to approximately 3,500...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today an investment of $69 million to address critical food and nutrition security needs of low-income communities enduring the pandemic, enhance the resilience of food and healthcare systems impacted by the pandemic, and...

WASHINGTON, August 16, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of...

ST. PETER, MINN., Aug. 12, 2021 – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making up to $500 million available in grants to help rural health care facilities, tribes and communities expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, health care...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $167 million in 12 states to deploy broadband infrastructure (PDF, 360 KB) in rural areas without sufficient access to high-speed internet. “Generations...

WASHINGTON, August 11, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement after the successful confirmation of Jenny Lester Moffitt to serve as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at USDA. “Congratulations to Jenny Lester Moffitt on being confirmed to serve as...

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the names of individuals who will hold key staff positions in Washington, D.C. John Rapp was named Director of the Office of Budget and Program Analysis. Previously, he held the role in an acting capacity while...

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement following Senate passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill will now go to the House for consideration. “Last month, President Biden stood with a bipartisan group of...

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host a virtual roundtable on September 15 (11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT) titled Exploring Food Waste Solutions: Success Stories from the U.S. and Beyond, to showcase innovative policies and approaches to reducing food waste in...

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement after the successful confirmation of Janie Simms Hipp to serve as General Counsel of the United States Department of Agriculture. “I am grateful that the Senate has confirmed Janie Simms Hipp, a citizen of the...