USDA Food and Nutrition

Be a part of the moo-vement. Drink Whole Milk. 🐮🥛 #NationalDairyMonth

National Dairy Month couldn't have started in a better place than Carey Farms in Groton, New York.     It was an honor to spend the morning with Dan, Ann, and Eric Carey, whose family has been producing milk on this land for generations and now carries on a remarkable 5th-generation farming legacy. Plus meeting the Groton FFA chapter (so many future ag leaders here)!   As @SecKennedy and I continue advancing the MAHA agenda, bringing whole milk back into schools and encouraging healthier food choices, it all starts with families like the Careys who produce real, nutritious food right here at home.     Proud to stand with them and every dairy producer across America this National Dairy Month. 🐄🥛🇺🇸

June is all about vibrant produce! 🍅🍑🥭🫛 The best place to find fresh fruits and vegetables is your local farmers market. Use USDA's Local Food Directory to find a market near you ➡️ usdalocalfoodportal.com

Raise a glass...of milk, and celebrate the contributions of our legen-dairy farmers to the U.S. and the world! Happy National Dairy Month 🐮🥛

Celebrate National Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Month with a feast from farm to table! Grab local produce from your neighborhood farmers market! Use the USDA Local Food Directory to find a market near you. usdalocalfoodportal.com

Hard hats on, skills up! 🛠️ Deputy Under Secretary Patrick A. Penn joined SNAP E&T provider @WRTPBIGSTEP in WI to see firsthand how they are turning highway construction training into long‑term career strength and self-sufficiency. #MoreThanAJob

USDA Office of Inspector General Identifies $13 Million in Potential SNAP Fraud in Review of Ohio Food Assistance Participant Data and Applauds Participation of State Agency to Identify Program Vulnerabilities “I commend Ohio authorities and FNS for their cooperative participation in this important review so that SNAP administrators understand the vulnerabilities that create openings for fraudsters and to take corrective action to safeguard American taxpayers and citizens in need,” said Inspector General John Walk. “My office is proud to provide analysis to help administrators improve safeguards and protect SNAP from fraud as part of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud under the leadership of Vice President JD Vance.” Read the report : usdaoig.oversight.gov/reports/inspec… Read the press release: usdaoig.oversight.gov/articles/news/… @WHFraudTF #OIG #USDA #fightingfraud

A great place to get REAL FOOD is the #farmersmarket! Deputy Under Secretary Patrick A. Penn enjoyed all the local goodness @GreenCityMarket in Chicago. 🌱🥕🍓

Updates to the minimum SNAP retailer stocking standards help ensure vulnerable families have nutritious options wherever they shop, advancing @SecRollins commitment to healthy choices, healthy families, and healthy outcomes. Details: fns.usda.gov/newsroom/usda-… #MAHA

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. At @USDA, we are working every day to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP, as well as the 15 other nutrition programs we administer. On any given day, we are spending nearly $400 million to feed those most in need — children, the elderly, and the disabled. We are holding accountable the states and individuals that have abused the system, while partnering closely with the states that actually want to help us restore integrity and transparency. It is no coincidence that many of the states leading the way are strong conservative states committed to fiscal responsibility and program integrity. We have already accomplished a great deal, but there is still much work to do. Under @POTUS and @VP’s leadership, we are restoring accountability, transparency, and integrity to these critical programs. 🇺🇸💪

On this #MemorialDay, we pause to remember the brave individuals who gave everything in service to our nation. Explore how USDA stands with America’s heroes. usda.gov/farming-and-ra…

“This guilty plea sends a strong message that if you use your inside position to defraud the American public and steal federal benefits from those who depend on them, we will relentlessly pursue you and hold you accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Wilkins. USDA OIG is proud to stand with Vice President JD Vance and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud to hold fraudsters to account. justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/j… @WHFraudTF @SDMSNews #OIG #USDA #fightingfraud

Today, the task force and the DOJ announced a massive take down of two of the largest Medicaid fraud cases in Minnesota state history, as well as the largest autism fraud scheme ever charged by the federal government. Our message is simple: if you’re committing fraud, we will find you, and we won’t rest until justice is served.

Stealing funds from the American taxpayer and communities in need is heinous. Today, Aimee Bock was sentenced for her role in the years-long Feeding Our Future scandal. I appreciate the ongoing work of @TheJusticeDept, @OIGUSDA, and local law enforcement, who continue to make certain any individual part of this fraud is held accountable.

Justice Served: Ringleader of Massive $250M Child Nutrition Fraud Sentenced to Over 41 Years Aimee Bock, mastermind behind the Feeding Our Future scheme, was just sentenced to more than 41 years in federal prison + ordered to pay ~$243 million in restitution. This nonprofit exploited the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program, programs meant to feed vulnerable kids and adults with nutritious meals at daycares, schools, parks, and more. Instead, Bock and dozens of others opened 250+ fake “sites” across Minnesota, fabricating meal counts for thousands of nonexistent children just days after setup. Aimee Bock and her friends created shell companies, submitted phony rosters, laundered funds, paid kickbacks/bribes… and ballooned from $3.4M in 2019 to nearly $200M in 2021, stealing over $240 million total in federal funds. The money? Luxury cars, fancy homes in MN (plus Ohio, Kentucky, Kenya, Turkey), and lavish travel. All while kids went hungry. Huge credit to @JusticeDept, @USDA_OIG, and federal prosecutors for holding these fraudsters accountable. Today, justice was served. Aimee Bock should be an example to all aiming to cheat the American taxpayer. The whole of government and law enforcement will find you, prosecute you, and jail you.

🚨 Aimee Bock thought she could rip off the American people and get away with it. She defrauded @USDA feeding programs meant for hungry schoolchildren and dragged dozens of co-conspirators down with her—each one knowingly exploiting funds intended to feed our kids while lining their own pockets. Today, justice was served. Let Aimee Bock be a clear and unmistakable warning to anyone who dares cheat the American taxpayer: The full force of government and law enforcement will hunt you down, prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law, and lock you up. No mercy for fraudsters who steal from our children.🇺🇸 cbsnews.com/news/feeding-o…

Montana is now the 23rd state to join the Make America Healthy Again initiative by submitting a SNAP waiver to ban soft drinks, energy drinks, junk food, and candy from the program! 🇺🇸🍎🥦 @GovGianforte and Montana stepped up to restore SNAP to its core principle of nutrition. Great leadership! To other States, what are you waiting for?!

📢 Another major step forward to Make America Healthy Again! Today, @SecRollins joined @GovGianforte as Montana submitted a waiver to USDA to ban soft drinks, junk food, and candy from purchase with SNAP benefits. This builds on Secretary Rollins’ “Laboratories of Innovation” initiative, with Montana joining 22 other states partnered with USDA and HHS to strengthen SNAP's nutritional integrity. usda.gov/about-usda/new…

America's dairy farmers are so important to rural communities. My thanks to @nmpf for their tireless advocacy for more dairy in our schools and on our dinner tables. And remember, WHOLE MILK IS BACK! 🥛

Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership, the reinvigorated Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is stronger than ever, supporting bold, innovative work that helps students make healthy choices and build healthy futures. Learn more: fns.usda.gov/newsroom/fns-0…