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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Food security and nutrition

Oct 2, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) seeking comments on a demonstration project proposed by Nebraska that would test changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that may improve the delivery of SNAP benefits to raise levels of nutrition among eligible households. If approved, Nebraska would amend the SNAP definition of food for purchase to exclude "soda, soft drinks, and energy drinks" with a proposed implementation date of December 1, 2026, and exclude "candy" with a proposed implementation date of March 1, 2027. Nebraska's full request is available on the FNA website. Comments are due by November 2, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 24, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection request titled "Generic Clearance for FNA Quick Response Surveys (FNA QRS)." Information collected under this clearance will include sample frame data collections and quick-response surveys. Quick-response data collections will be used to survey key administrators of FNA programs at the state, local, and site level to answer policy and implementation questions. Comments are due by November 23, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 22, 2026 - Announces newly awarded funding for telehealth and technology-enabled learning projects focused on testing innovative solutions, increasing access to nutrition services, and improving provider retention to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
Sep 22, 2026 - Announces awarded funding to 14 tribal and urban Indian communities for phase 2 of a produce prescription program. The program aims to address chronic disease through nutrition. Notes that tribal communities have higher rates of food insecurity and chronic diseases.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Sep 10, 2026 - Highlights recent research in Texas finding a connection between food insecurity and chronic illness. Discusses how non-medical drivers of health can lead to poor health outcomes and common barriers to affordable and nutritious foods such as transportation. Describes how community-based organizations can use the findings to make decisions about resource allocation.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Sep 4, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to an information collection related to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). FNA proposes to update the currently approved WIC FMNP burden estimates and merge the WIC FMNP burden estimates with the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) information collection activities. Comments are due by November 3, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 20, 2026 - Highlights a study in progress investigating the impact of a food as medicine program on health outcomes in the rural Mississippi Delta. Also discusses the way the study is positively impacting area farmers through investments in the local food production economy. Notes that preliminary study outcomes are positive, but full results will not be ready until the study concludes in 2027.
Source: Farm Press
Aug 17, 2026 - Notice from the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) extending the comment period for the June 24, 2026, proposed rule titled "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing." Comments are now due September 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 17, 2026 - Highlights a Future Farmers of America project in Missouri to address food insecurity in rural and other communities.
Source: WGEM