Rural Health
News by Topic: Food security and nutrition
FNS: Summer Food Service Program; 2026 Reimbursement Rates
Federal Register
Feb 4, 2026 - Announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service of the annual adjustments to reimbursement rates for the Summer Food Service Program. The rates are effective January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 4, 2026 - Analyzes 211 call data to identify areas of need at the county level in South Dakota, including housing, food, and utility assistance. Highlights the work of 211 staff.
Source: South Dakota News Watch
Feb 2, 2026 - Offers the ability to provide comments regarding the inclusion of 24 Measures Under Consideration List for the purpose of offering additional feedback to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. Comments are due February 16, 2026.
Source: Partnership for Quality Measurement
Jan 29, 2026 - Discusses food deserts in rural and other parts of Mississippi, associated health disparities, and proposed legislation to support communities in food deserts. Notes that rural residents are on average 30 miles away from a grocery store.
Source: Twin States News
Jan 28, 2026 - Describes proposed bipartisan legislation to support food banks and others in delivering food boxes to low-income rural older adults. Notes food access challenges for rural older adults in Arizona and Ohio.
Source: Office of Senator Mark Kelly
Dec 18, 2025 - Highlights the Mendo Food Network's Pop-Up Distribution program to bring emergency food and essential commodities to rural Mendocino County, California. Notes that fixed location food banks in the area require multiple hours-long trips for rural residents.
Source: The Mendocino Beacon
Dec 17, 2025 - Comments are being accepted for the 2025 Measures Under Consideration (MUC) List which includes 24 unique measures under consideration by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for quality reporting purposes. Comments are also requested on 5 measures aligned with Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities. Written comments are due January 6, 2026. Also offers opportunities for live comments during January 2026 listening sessions.
Source: Partnership for Quality Measurement
Dec 16, 2025 - Highlights the Baseline Survey 2024 from the Regional Rural Development Centers, a collection of datasets exploring topics including household, business, and community well-being to better understand challenges faced by rural and urban communities. The survey included 18,596 respondents.
Source: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development