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Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin
As summer comes to an end, I want to thank our state, local, and tribal partners for their continued efforts in keeping children fed throughout the summer months. We visited a few of the great summer meal sites operated in the Midwest Region this summer (see article and photos below) and look forward to visiting even more next summer.
Of course, the end of summer signals that it's back to school time. School meals are an important part of making sure kids are well-nourished during the school day and ready to learn which is why at USDA, we are committed to continuing our efforts to reach as many kids as possible with nutritious school meals. We appreciate the efforts of all our Midwest partners in ensuring children don’t miss out on the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
As our kids head back to school, we have exciting news. Minnesota and Michigan passed Healthy School Meals for All (HSMFA) legislation effective this school year. Illinois isn't far behind with legislation at the governor's desk. Healthy school meals for all—also known as universal free school meals—allow all enrolled children in a school that operates the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program to receive free breakfast and free lunch, regardless of their family’s income. Healthy school meals for all negate the need for families to apply or schools to verify eligibility for these programs and give flexibility to school nutrition programs so that they can keep feeding kids no matter what the school day structure looks like.
And just this week, as part of a cooperative agreement to develop and implement our Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, Action for Healthy Kids announced that it is awarding nearly $30 million in subgrants to 264 school districts across 44 states and the District of Columbia, reaching students in some of our nation’s highest need schools. I think you can agree, this news is a great way to start of a new school year!
In this edition of At the Table, you will find featured partner success stories and news, nutrition program highlights, grant opportunities, grant award announcements, and much more. If you have a story that you'd like us to feature in our next newsletter, please drop us a note at fnmwro.pa@usda.gov.
Please share with us news of any events happening, be it Back to School, Healthy School Meals for All, Farm to School month, etc. As you know, we are always looking for opportunities to show off the great work happening around the Midwest Region! Of course, if there is anything we can do to support your efforts as you plan out events and activities, we are only a phone call or email away.
It can’t be said too many times or too frequently – you are appreciated! You have found creative ways to overcome challenges, and your commitment to helping those in need in your communities is unmatched.
Dr. Vista Suarez Fletcher, Midwest Regional Administrator
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visits Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint Summer Meals Program
On June 27, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack joined Senator Debbie Stabenow in Flint, Michigan to visit with children eating lunch at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Flint.
New Options to Combat Summer Hunger
Summer hunger impacts too many children when they lose access to nutritious school meals. But thanks to bipartisan action by Congress last year, FNS is excited to share information about two powerful new tools to fight hunger and better meet the nutritional needs of children during the summer months. Click to learn more.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: GusNIP Program Improves Fruit and Vegetable Intake
The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), one of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (USDA-NIFA) five primary nutrition programs, is increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by income-eligible consumers. GusNIP funded projects make healthy foods — specifically fruits and vegetables — more affordable and accessible to consumers who participate through healthcare clinics or by leveraging USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s food assistance programs at grocery stores, farmers markets and other food retailers.
GusNIP funding supports Nutrition Incentive (NI) projects and Produce Prescription (PPR) projects. NI projects provide support for individuals using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables. PPR projects provide incentives via prescriptions for fresh fruits and vegetables among people experiencing low income and with heightened risk for diet-related chronic disease.
Want to learn about how these projects are improving the health and nutrition of participating households? Click below.
Nutrition Security: Building on Our Work To Date and Accelerating Progress
Dr. Caree Cotwright, Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity highlights the work to date of USDA to advance food and nutrition security and share her vision for the work ahead in this blog.
In addition, click the image to the left to see a video about ways USDA-FNS is partnering to connect individuals, families and communities across this country with foods that support optimal health and well-being.
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Summertime: Summer Meals and Lots of Fun!
While many around the country are gearing up for back-to-school, we want to pause and give kudos to all the AMAZING Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) providers in the Midwest Region for providing kids in your communities with free meals while school was out.
For children and families who rely on school lunch, summertime can bring hardship and uncertainty. But thanks to the fantastic work you do, thousands of kids were able to get the nutritious meals they need to thrive.
This summer we visited several summer meals sites operated in the Midwest Region. Read about and see pictures of the terrific places we visited in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa by clicking below.
FNS awards $10.7 million in Farm to School Grants
USDA’s FNS awarded $10.7 million to 103 projects across the country under the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. These investments will help 1.2 million children from nearly 3,000 schools in 40 States and the territory of Guam eat more tasty, nutritious foods, while supporting farmers and producers in their local and regional communities. These investments also reflect USDA’s commitment to reaching historically underserved and marginalized communities.
Farm to school opens opportunities for children to learn about nutrition and agriculture through hands-on experiences, such as planting, watering, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The program can also provide a pathway for more children to achieve nutrition security, which is the consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and well-being. Since the grant program’s inception in 2013, USDA has awarded $75 million through Farm to School Grants across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico, which have reached over 25 million students in more than 59,000 schools. Click to see the awardees.
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A Fond Farewell to Midwest Deputy Regional Administrator Trish Solis
At the end of September, Midwest Deputy Regional Administrator Trish Solis will retire after an impressive 33-year career at the Food and Nutrition Service. Her peers across the Agency, as well as many stakeholders and state partners, have appreciated Trish’s attention to detail, commitment to customer service, and focus on working with partners to ensure that FNS programs are efficiently and appropriately implemented.
Prior to coming to FNS, Trish worked for the Texas Health and Human Services as an eligibility worker for Food Stamps (now known as SNAP), AFDC (now known as TANF), and Medicaid. When she arrived at the Midwest Region, she was able to jump right into the work given her extensive experience.
Trish also worked in WIC before becoming the SNAP director for the Midwest Region and finally the deputy regional administrator. During her career, Trish led efforts to develop and stand up an extensive employee development program and to work with partners to improve customer service and the performance of FNS programs. She’s worked on projects that had an impact not only in the Midwest but across all of FNS.
Reflecting on her retirement and career, Trish shared that she is, “…honored to have spent my career at FNS in support of its mission and I'm grateful for the opportunities to contribute to the agency's success.”
Trish’s co-workers across FNS will miss her and her deep knowledge of nutrition assistance programs. Congratulations, Trish, and thanks for your much-appreciated commitment to public service!
Congratulations Jacob Hoots. Champion of COVID-19 Award Winner
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Congratulations, Jacob Hoots, Midwest Chief, Management Services and Analytics Branch for your nomination and recognition as a Chicago Federal Executive Board Employee of the Year WINNER for his efforts as Champion of COVID-19 Response!
Jacob, your diligent work during the uncertain times regarding the pandemic were indeed above and beyond, and worthy of this recognition. Congratulations! Thank you for all your contributions during the COVID-19 response - Keeping us safe, healthy and informed!
Well deserved!
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Nancy Ranieri Named Supplemental Nutrition Director
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We are pleased that Nancy Ranieri, R.D, is back in the region. Nancy will lead the Supplemental Nutrition Division, overseeing WIC and Food Distribution programming. Nancy joined FNS Midwest in 1999 after working at the DuPage County Health Department WIC. She's worked in several of our regional feeding programs over the years and also held acting and full-time positions in our national office. We are happy to have her back in the region.
Nancy, a registered dietitian, is deeply
passionate about ensuring Americans have access to safe, healthy food, which she cites as her "why" behind the work she does with FNS.
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A Tribute to Patricia Roberts - A Leader in FDPIR.
"Pat helped make the program with it is today. She was a pivotal force!" -- Dr. Vista Suarez Fletcher
Obituary | Patricia B. Roberts | Swedberg Funeral Home
Pat Roberts worked at the Menominee County Social Services before becoming a director for the Menominee Food Distribution later renamed the Patricia B. Roberts Food Distribution Center after 40 years of service. She brought the “store concept” to Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) at the Menominee Indian Tribe, providing participants the opportunity to have a shopping experience when picking up their FDPIR foods. Soon after, other Indian Tribal Organizations followed in her footsteps and created store concepts at their FDPIR warehouses. Pat was also a champion and a leader for the Midwest Region FDPIR Nutrition Advisory Committee since 2006. Pat led the region’s nutrition education grant for several years and helped bring numerous nutrition education resources to over 8,000 FDPIR participants in the 23 Midwest Region tribes. She was passionate about increasing access to nutritious food to residents in her community.
Midwest Regional Office Hosts the Patrick Leahy Farm to School State Agency Gathering in Chicago.
Indiana Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Implementing New eSolution!
DYK?
Did you know that 128,401 seniors participated in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program across the Midwest 2022? Seniors appreciate the program, and it shows in their redemption rates with FNS Midwest state agency redemption rates ranging from 66% to 100%. Midwest state agencies are working on improving the program through grants that have been awarded from the ARPA funds.
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Indiana Department of Health (IDH) administers the WIC SFMNP and FMNP. This year they started implementing an eSolution to replace the paper check benefits with the 2023 season. IDH is partnering with Purdue Agricultural Extension with ARPA grant funding. The Purdue Agricultural Extension will provide local support for recruiting and training farmers and extending onsite support to participants and SFMNP and FMNP local agencies as the eSolution, MarketLink, is implemented for this season. They will focus primarily on recruiting, training, and onboarding assistance to farmers. Purdue Extension has been trained on the MarketLink App and application process. Initial steps include getting farmers signed up prior to issuing benefits since local areas must be supported by authorized farmers before participants are issued benefits by local agencies. They are also working on updating a list of Indiana authorized farmers and their status so they will be able to direct and answer farmers questions as they support the farmer sign up process.
FNS Midwest Regional Office is very happy to see Indiana, the first state in our Region, implementing an SFMNP and FMNP eSolution and wishes them good luck!
Update:
The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs for WIC participants. As part of the innovation and modernization efforts under The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), FNS will provide funds through non-competitive grants to FMNP state agencies to complete projects aimed at modernizing benefit delivery.
In the Midwest, $1.9 million will support the following projects:
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Indiana will implement an app-based e-solution for the 2023 farmers market season.
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Wisconsin will implement a hybrid e-solution that uses both paper coupons and an app for the 2023 farmers market season and Minnesota and Iowa will do the same in 2024.
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Ohio and Michigan plan to integrate e-solutions into their WIC systems for the 2024 season.
Midwest Celebrates Breastfeeding Awards of Excellence
 Breastfeeding Awards of Excellence. Nineteen in Region!
Every August, the Midwest office celebrates National WIC Breastfeeding Week, National Breastfeeding Month and announces the regional winners of the national WIC Breastfeeding Awards of Excellence (BFAE). These awards celebrate the impressive work done by local breastfeeding peer counselors in guiding women as they progress through their breastfeeding journeys. Click to learn more.
USDA-FNS celebrates the parents who breastfeed along with the partners, family members and friends who support them on their journey. Look for a WIC focused newsletter at the end of the month to learn more.
WIC Community Innovation and Outreach (CIAO) Project
WIC is one of the most powerful, evidence-based public health programs available, with a long history of improving health and developmental outcomes for children. Yet, only 50 percent of all eligible individuals participate in WIC, a shortfall of almost 6 million moms, babies, and young children missing out on key benefits. Click to learn more about recent WIC participation.
The WIC Community Innovation and Outreach (CIAO) Project aims to expand partnerships with community organizations and use of community-level data to develop and test innovative WIC outreach efforts. These projects are part of a broader strategy to modernize and innovate WIC to connect more eligible people to the program and serve them well throughout the entire time they’re eligible.
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Boone County Health Department (Illinois), Gads Hill Center (Illinois), Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (Michigan), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (Ohio), and Hunger Task Force (Wisconsin)
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Midwest and Northeast Co-Host FDPIR Regional Meeting in Wisconsin
 On June 28, approximately 40 tribal partners gathered at the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Regional Meeting at the Ho Chunk Nation in Wisconsin. Summer EBT, Summer Food Service Program, Traditional Foods in Child Nutrition Programs and Farm to School were major focuses of the meeting. Conference session topics also included USDA updates, nutrition education sharing, food package updates, and 638 demonstration projects.
Midwest Regional Administrator Dr. Vista Suarez Fletcher provided opening remarks along with the Midwest Tribal Board President Jon Greendeer from Ho-Chunk Nation.
To the left is a photo of an icebreaker where everyone introduced themselves, talked about what they enjoy the most about working in FDPIR and then passed the string along to create a web and show how close we all really are as people.
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FNS Visits Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Red Lake Nation
 FNS has committed to being responsive to requests (made during the Fall 2022 Tribal Consultation) for FNS to visit Tribal communities to improve cultural competency.
On June 8 and 9, Midwest regional administrator Vista Fletcher, Child Nutrition director Samia Hamdan, Tribal affairs specialist Joe Geary, tribal senior technical advisor Natalie Christopherson, Regional Office Support (ROS) chief staff officer Diana Ramos, and ROS special assistant Traci Mouw visited the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Red Lake Nation. The group toured farms, focused on relationship building, and they took time to discuss improving cultural competency during in-person reviews.
Advocate Smart Farm Initiative and Food Farmacy: Combating Food Deserts with Community Support
by Mike Chambers, FNS Midwest Regional Office, Financial Management Director
In the heart of Chicago's South Side, Advocate Trinity Hospital and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital are working to close the health disparity gap among South Chicagoland patients. Trinity’s Food Farmacy and Good Shepherd’s Smart Farm initiative have joined forces to tackle the persistent issue of food insecurity in their communities. As food deserts continue to be a challenge, these initiatives stand as beacons of hope, providing fresh produce and nutritious meals to those in need.
Through the power of collaboration and community support, they are sowing the seeds of a brighter and more nourished future for all. Click below to read Mike's article.
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FRAC:
Midwest Tribal Nations’ Sharing Meeting: On August 21 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm. A virtual meeting, with an introduction to our Midwest regional staff, especially those with tribal-facing responsibilities, and information about our programs. During this meeting, several Tribal leaders and directors who administer FNS programs will discuss the food program benefits in their communities. This would be the first of periodic USDA/FNS-Tribal meetings to discuss program specific questions, provide information on program-related topics of interest, and create, established and improve communication among us all. If you'd like to attend, contact joseph.Geary@usda.gov or Jacqueline.Pipitone@usda.gov.
Healthcare Partners: September 13, 9:00-10:15 a.m. Central Time. T
Midwest Farmers Market Partners: October 18, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Central Time. Click here to join the meeting. Janie Maxwell from Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA) will tell us about a Farm to Food Bank project. Farmers are bringing surplus products to the farmers market, where they are aggregated and distributed to local food agencies working to address food insecurity. The farmers are paid their “pick and pack” costs. The work is a partnership with Illinois Farmers Market Association, Feeding Illinois, University of Illinois Sustainable Technology Institute, and three farmers markets. They are in the process of trying to expand the program for 2024. And the Farm to School team from Common Threads will demo their nutrition education initiatives at Plant Chicago's Farmers Market this past summer season. "The experience allowed us to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations, and we're eager to share the valuable insights we gained during our presentation." We are always looking for presenters. If you'd be willing to volunteer to speak, please contact penny.weaver@usda.gov.
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This email was sent by USDA Midwest Region. For more information, please contact USDA FNS MWRO Communications: SM.FN.MW-Public.Affairs@usda.gov
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