Latest news with #FarmerstoFamiliesFoodBox
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'We Have No Details,' Says Food Program Director As Trump's 'MAHA Boxes' Threaten 730,000 Seniors' Grocery Lifeline
Lack of communication and abrupt changes from President Donald Trump's administration have made it difficult to prepare for the rollout of the Make America Healthy Again food box initiative, according to George Matysik, executive director of Share Food Program. 'We have no details [about logistics of the MAHA food boxes], and this has been a continued challenge that we've had with this administration, where decisions are sort of made overnight,' said Matysik, in comments reported by CBS MoneyWatch on May 7. He added that ongoing uncertainty is making it harder for food organizations to plan ahead. Don't Miss: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – The 2026 budget proposal would eliminate the $425 million Commodity Supplemental Food Program, replacing it with "MAHA boxes" sourced directly from U.S. farmers, potentially impacting over 730,000 seniors' grocery lifeline. "The boxes contain wholesome foods from domestic farms, and similar to the Farmers to Families Food Box, fresh foods," the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in an email to CBS MoneyWatch, adding that the MAHA initiative could "supplant or complement" existing programs. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the USDA awarded nearly $3 billion in contracts through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. The program successfully delivered over 176 million food boxes to individuals and families in need across the country, relying on more than 200 contractors to distribute the boxes during the pandemic. Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — The Share Food Program has provided 32-pound food boxes to more than 300,000 children and over 4,000 seniors in Philadelphia, many of whom earn less than $23,000 a year. According to CBS MoneyWatch, Matysik challenged the Trump administration's claim that current food bank offerings are nutritionally inadequate, explaining that their boxes contain lean proteins, pasta, and canned vegetables suitable for seniors—many of whom struggle with grocery access. He expressed concern that MAHA's emphasis on fresh, perishable food might not meet the needs of seniors who depend on shelf-stable staples. Matysik also emphasized the logistical difficulties of getting fresh produce from farms to doorsteps without dedicated MAHA proposal arrives amid broader reductions in federal nutrition aid. In March, the Trump administration redirected $1 billion in school and food bank funding toward sourcing from local producers, according to Politico. The impact has already been felt. On April 13, CT Insider reported that Connecticut Foodshare CEO Jason Jakubowski said that 34 federal food shipments were canceled without explanation, disrupting supplies to over 600 food banks statewide. In April, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollinsfor Arkansas' proposal to restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program purchases of soda and candy, aligning with the MAHA initiative's focus on improving nutrition. Separately, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month announced plans to phase out synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply, as part of broader efforts to enhance dietary health. Read Next: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'We Have No Details,' Says Food Program Director As Trump's 'MAHA Boxes' Threaten 730,000 Seniors' Grocery Lifeline originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ivanka Trump unveils fresh produce access initiative in first public appearance since Trump's second term
Ivanka Trump made her return to the national stage on Thursday in Bentonville, Arkansas, where she announced her latest initiative focused on expanding access to fresh produce, an issue she had long advocated for. Having largely stayed out of the public eye during her father's second term, this marked her first significant reappearance in the spotlight. Also Read: Pope Leo XIV: Explore the books and writings of the first American pontiff For the first time in public, Ivanka opened up about her role as a co-founder of Planet Harvest, a Chicago-based 'profit-for-purpose company' established in 2023. The company claims to offer 'innovative, whole harvest solutions that resolve inefficiencies in the supply chain,' focusing on improving the way fresh produce is sourced and distributed. The summit, which spotlighted America's heartland as a centre of growth and innovation, was co-founded by Walmart heirs Olivia, Tom, and Steuart Walton. It was hosted by their Bentonville-based think tank, Heartland Forward. The interview was conducted by Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global who told Axios in a statement that the 'decision to focus on democratizing access to healthy food comes at an unprecedented moment in our country's health care journey, where we're finally recognising the scale of the crisis in chronic diseases.' The remarks seemed to be directed towards Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He recently shared the urgency to crack down on processed food for the agency, pledging to remove the 'epidemic of chronic illness' from the country and 'Make America Healthy Again,' as reported by MSNBC. On stage, Ivanka said, 'Food can be used medicinally and food can be used to heal our bodies. Food can be part of the solution.' Also Read: Power mom! Press Secy Karoline Leavitt seen working while feeding baby, netizens inspired He added that she developed 'a real passion for supporting American farmers and getting more food into communities in need' while she contributed to U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farmers to Families Food Box program amid pandemic.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ivanka Trump's fresh produce venture at odds with cuts to local food programs
Ivanka Trump on Thursday made her first major public appearance since her father's return to the White House, taking the stage at the Heartland Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas, to discuss her efforts to expand access to fresh produce. For the first time in public, President Donald Trump's oldest daughter discussed her role as a co-founder of Planet Harvest, a Chicago-based 'profit-for-purpose company' created in 2023 that claims to provide 'innovative, whole harvest solutions that resolve inefficiencies in the supply chain.' Prior to her appearance, Trump, 43, told Axios in a statement that she launched Planet Harvest 'to reimagine how American produce moves — not just through the supply chain, but across communities. … By connecting fresh and surplus harvests with those who can benefit from them, we're supporting farmers, reducing food waste, expanding access and using good nutrition to improve health.' Trump told Axios she developed 'a real passion for supporting American farmers and getting more food into communities in need' while working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farmers to Families Food Box program during the pandemic. The summit, highlighting America's heartland as a hub of growth and innovation, was co-founded by Walmart heirs Olivia, Tom and Steuart Walton and hosted by their Bentonville-based think tank Heartland Forward. Trump was interviewed by Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global, who told Axios that the 'decision to focus on democratizing access to healthy food comes at an unprecedented moment in our country's health care journey, where we're finally recognizing the scale of the crisis in chronic diseases.' Huffington's comments appear to refer to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has said that cracking down on processed foods is a major focus for the agency. Kennedy has pledged to end the country's 'epidemic of chronic illness' and 'Make America Healthy Again.' 'Food can be used medicinally and food can be used to heal our bodies,' the president's daughter said on stage. 'Food can be part of the solution.' Republicans' current support for greater scrutiny of the American diet stands in stark contrast to the reaction former first lady Michelle Obama received from the right in 2010 when she launched her 'Let's Move!' campaign focused on childhood obesity. At the time, Fox News host Sean Hannity called the initiative a 'Obama government obesity task force' and asked, 'Does every American family need a dietician appointed by the government to tell them that this food is going to make you fat and this food is not?' While Ivanka Trump says she wants to expand access to fresh produce, the administration's budget cuts are accomplishing exactly the opposite. In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture slashed two federal programs that provided more than $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farms and ranchers. The program specifically aided some of the nation's most disadvantaged farmers. One school district said the USDA's decision will wipe out $100,000 in funding that it had planned to spend on local beef and produce for students' school meals. The cuts come as a record number of Americans continue to deal with food insecurity. According to the most recent USDA data, from 2023, 13.5% of Americans struggled at some point to secure enough food, the highest rate in nearly a decade. This article was originally published on
