USDA Increases Food Support in Flint

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is stepping up its food assistance programs in Flint and Genesee County. More than 17,000 low-income families will receive food packages rich in nutrients like calcium, iron, and Vitamin-C, which officials say limits the impact of lead in the body. Kevin Concannon is the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. He says the USDA will provide cereal, legumes, and shelf-ready milk, but not fresh produce.

“We know that there’s a lot of effort, for example in Flint. There are mobile farmer’s markets operating there, going out into some of the neighborhoods this summer to try to make fresh fruits and vegetables more available to people.”

Under Secretary Kevin Concannon​, USDA

Concannon says the USDA is expanding its Electronic Benefits for 39,000 children this summer. The program provides students with $30 every month to buy nutritious food. He says the agency will continue its efforts to provide blood lead screening tests at its Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics. The expansion of the Emergency Food Assistance Program starts in September, when state funding for the program ends.