USDA Looks To Promote Racial Equity In Rural Areas

There are many lessons that were learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, but one of the most notable according to USDA:

"The pandemic has made it clear that our current federal nutrition safety net  while strong, can do more to promote healthy diets and advance racial equity," said Sara Bleich, USDA' Senior COVID-19 Advisor. "Simultaneously addressing hunger and poor nutrition as part of the long struggle against structural racism and poverty. This is because Black, LatinX, and Native Americans as well as people living in rural and lower-income counties suffer the greatest disparities when it comes to the quality of their diet, food insecurity, and corresponding diet-related conditions."

Where does Bleich want the country to go?

"So we need all people to be healthy and have the most competitive economy in the world, and that starts with the food that we eat."

And, she noted, the USDA is positioned to help.

"Well through our existing authorities and appropriations we are able to provide food to under-served families and support to struggling producers."

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