WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, welcomed Secretary Vilsack’s statement highlighting USDA’s work to promote food and nutrition security. Senator Stabenow has been instrumental in passing legislation to provide significant new resources and flexibilities to help address food insecurity since the onset of the pandemic. As a result of the American Rescue Plan Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, CARES Act, and Families First Coronavirus Response Act, USDA has been able to help keep more Americans fed during the pandemic. This includes providing children who normally rely on school meals with Pandemic EBT benefits to purchase meals, expanding purchasing options and resources for SNAP recipients, giving schools flexibility to respond to supply chain breakdowns, and investing in the nation’s food bank network.
“Children and families should not have to wonder where their next meal is coming from – whether that’s during the pandemic or when families fall on hard times. That’s why I fought, and will continue to fight, to make sure USDA has the right resources and flexibilities to support the needs of Americans,” said Senator Stabenow. “Changes like implementing online options so SNAP recipients can buy groceries online and contact-free, or helping food banks increase their storage space for perishable goods, can be the difference between whether there’s food on the table or not. There is more work to be done and this is just the tip of what we can accomplish together in the upcoming Farm Bill and future legislation.”
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