Local farmers and the USDA bring fresh local food to schools to enrich the connection communities have with local food producers with the Farm to School grant program. This program was a part of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, like the National School Lunch Program, that aims to increase nutritional value of school lunches and ensure all students have access to healthy, balanced meals.
Louisiana-based EBT merchants have now been authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for hot or prepared foods in the wake of Hurricane Ida. The waiver issued by the USDA for “hot food products prepared for immediate consumption” will apply to Louisiana retailers that currently accept EBT cards.
› Restaurant purchases are prohibited.
› The waiver lasts through September 28, 2021.
Additionally, SNAP recipients in 18 Louisiana parishes who experienced widespread power outages will receive 55% of their regular monthly allotment as replacements on September 11, 2021, when their cards will be automatically loaded.
For more information regarding the USDA waiver for hot foods or other disaster SNAP (DSNAP) assistance, please visit:
