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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Food security and nutrition

May 4, 2026 - Ohio Senator Jon Husted and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly recently introduced the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act, which would create a pilot program to deliver food boxes directly to underserved seniors. The Federal Commodity Supplemental Food Program currently offers monthly food assistance to qualifying seniors, but some people lack transportation to distribution sites.
Source: News 5 Cleveland
May 1, 2026 - The Nez Perce Tribe's Nimiipuu Health Clinic and the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center at the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation offer diabetes management programs, providing patients access to registered dietitians, fitness classes and cooking classes.
Source: Northwest Public Broadcasting
Apr 29, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for States to use to determine the income eligibility of applicants to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These guidelines are applicable July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 22, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted levels of monthly benefits in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) Program. These benefit levels are applicable January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 20, 2026 - Describes the role a summer meal program plays in ensuring food access for rural Alaskan children in communities with no dedicated food banks. Notes that applications for eligible children is now open.
Source: Alaska Public Media
Apr 16, 2026 - A study from Pennsylvania State University examines how the loss of everyday locations such as grocery stores, pharmacies, primary care clinics, schools, and churches may affect health. The authors focus on a rural township in Pennsylvania and argue that such places act as health infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
Source: Population Reference Bureau
Apr 15, 2026 - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan announced a new grant to strengthen food sovereignty and safety in tribal communities across the state over the next 4 years. The project will improve communities' access to nourishing, locally-grown foods and support community-driven food safety training and infrastructure projects.
Source: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Apr 14, 2026 - Though Vermont placed third in the 2025 America's Health Rankings, this is based on averages bolstered by a few counties that are not representative of the state's geography or its working-age population. Discusses significant gaps between various health metrics in urban and rural areas of Vermont.
Source: Compass Vermont
Apr 9, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announcing the adjusted income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals and free milk through the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children Program. These guidelines are applicable from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 8, 2026 - Highlights the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Summit in Michigan, an event exploring the role of traditional food practices in fostering social connection and maintaining health for tribal communities.
Source: WKAR