Press Release –
Today at the hybrid 2022 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Winter Policy Conference, state agriculture officials amended the organization’s nutrition and food assistance policy citing impediments to accessing specific food items that supply chain issues have created.
The organization also recognized opportunities to better promote the availability of food assistance programs and amend regulation to ensure all who are eligible are able to participate in these programs.
“A primary responsibility of state agriculture departments is to ensure the ample and nutritious food our farmers and ranchers’ produce reaches the tables in all of our communities across our states,” NASDA President, New York Commissioner of Agriculture Richard A. Ball said. “Supporting federal nutrition programs allows for more eligible individuals to access the food they need while ensuring food is not wasted. This is critical, especially in a time when we’re still feeling the effects of a global pandemic.”
State agriculture departments are uniquely positioned to advocate for the flexibility and promotion of nutrition assistance programs as conduits between various government nutrition programs and their local constituents. NASDA members oversee several nutrition initiatives such as Farm to School, the Farmers Market Nutrition Program and school meals programs.
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NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances American agriculture through policy, partnerships and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.
