2022 Year In Review - USDA FNS Southeast Region

YEAR IN REVIEW

USDA FNS SERO 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW

To end hunger and improve nutrition in America.

FNS Mission

Partner to provide food and nutrition education to people in need that inspires confidence and supports American Agriculture.

Nutrition Security

FNS leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure children, income eligible individuals, and families have equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable foods that promote optimal health and well-being, while building a more resilient food system.

Welcome to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service Southeast Region 2022 Year In Review

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service Southeast Regional Office (SERO) is pleased to welcome you to its 2022 Year In Review. This publication highlights successes over the past year while spotlighting our commitment in administering programs through partnership engagements to improve access to nutrition and positive health outcomes. Please visit the video below for a special introductory message from Southeast Regional Administrator Willie C. Taylor.

Willie C. Taylor SoutheaSt Regional adminiStRatoR

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2022 Year In Review

USDA Leaders Connect with Partners Across the Southeast Region

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and other leaders make visits across the region in 2022.

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Florida Residents Impacted by Hurricane

Ian Grateful for D-SNAP

D-SNAP helps families and individuals in need after Hurricane Ian makes landfall.

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P-EBT Message from Southeast Regional Administrator

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is part of the FNS’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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eWIC Launch in Chatham County, Georgia, a Huge Win for Mothers and Families

USDA FNCS Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean attends announcement of eWIC launch in Savannah, Georgia.

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6-Year-old Georgia Girl Honored in 2022 as the State’s Youngest Certified Farmer

Kendall Rae Johnson is recognized nationally for farming and innovative ideas in agriculture.

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Keep Kids Fed Act: Summer Meals Making a Difference

FNS Administrator Cindy Long visits summer feeding site, “Summer Break Spot,” in Orlando, Florida.

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A Groovy 2022 National School Lunch Week

FNS recognizes the annual National School Lunch Week during the second full week of October.

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USDA Expands SNAP Online Shopping in 2022

SNAP participants can now shop online as technology advances.

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USDA Leaders Connect with Partners Across the Southeast Region

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Secretary Tom Vilsack, and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) senior leadership visited the Southeast Region throughout this year to connect with our partners to discuss strategies to promote nutrition security for vulnerable families and children in need. From roundtable discussions, observing school and summer meals at partnership sites, to touring Food Banks and more, our leaders saw first-hand the great work and nutritional challenges

throughout the region. Specifically, some examples of these visits took place during National Nutrition Month in March when USDA Secretary Vilsack toured Feeding Tampa Bay Food Bank in Florida. USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh observed students eating healthy school meals at Sanders Clyde Elementary in Charleston, South Carolina. USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean held a roundtable discussion with area Food Bank leaders at Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville, Kentucky. She also met with SNAP Employment and Training programs, WIC partners, and others.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks at a Press Conference at Feeding Tampa Bay Food Bank during National Nutrition Month – March of 2022.

FNCS Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean tours Jefferson Community & Technical College, a SNAP E&T partner in Louisville, Kentucky.

FNS Administrator Cindy Long visited several nutrition stakeholders in the region including the Atlanta Community Food Bank. These connections were opportunities for USDA senior leadership to acknowledge the critical roles FNS partners contribute in leading the way to a healthier future for all.

Photos by: Kim Betton, USDA FNS Southeast

Atlanta Community Food Bank President/CEO Kyle Waide takes FNS Administrator Cindy Long and SERO staff on a tour of the food bank.

USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh is greeted by students at Sanders Clyde Elementary in Charleston, South Carolina.

USDA Secretary, State Leaders Visit Atlanta Community Food Bank

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s start to the 2022 New Year included a visit to the Southeast Region on January 10th at the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) to get a firsthand look at the outstanding services the non-profit organization offers to more than 700 partner food assistance agencies across 29 North Georgia counties.

FNS Southeast Regional Administrator Willie C. Taylor and Regional Public Affairs Director Kim Betton greeted the Secretary upon his arrival, and joined the tour with community leaders Reverend Raphael Warnock – U.S. Senator for Georgia, Congresswoman Nikema Williams of Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, and supporting staff. ACFB President and CEO Kyle Waide led the tour of the 345,000 square-foot state-of-the-art central hub that’s making a huge difference in the fight against hunger. The tour culminated with a meet and greet with several ACFB partners and African American farmers across Georgia. Click the video link below for highlights.

“ACFB provides services to more than 700 food assistance agencies across 29 North Georgia counties.”

Atlanta Community Food Bank

FARM TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

FARM TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

HELP TO IMPROVE CHILD

HELP TO IMPROVE CHILD

NUTRITION, SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMIES AND CONNECT YOUTH WITH THE SOURCE OF THEIR FOOD.

NUTRITION, SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMIES AND CONNECT YOUTH WITH THE SOURCE OF THEIR FOOD.

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

USDA Expands SNAP Online Shopping in 2022

Families who receive SNAP benefits can now order and purchase groceries online. As technology advances, it is important for SNAP to advance also to ensure the same shopping options are available for both non-SNAP and SNAP recipients.

USDA works hand-in-hand with states and retailers across the Southeast Region to expand opportunities for SNAP participants to conveniently shop online for groceries. USDA has added 44 new retailers to the SNAP online shopping initiative. The Southeast Region now has more than 150 retailer chains offering online shopping to SNAP participants.

New SNAP Online Locations

• Freshfields Farm (2 stores in FL)

• Compare Foods Supermarket DBA AJP Enterprises, Inc. (6 stores in NC)

• Whole Foods (33 stores in FL)

• Hometown Markets (1 store in AL)

• Opie Drive-Thru Grocery (1 store in SC)

• Froogel’s Cost Plus Foods (1 store in MS)

• Autry Greer Cash Savers (11 stores in AL, 5 stores throughout FL and MS)

• KVAT Food City, “Food City” (92 stores throughout AL, GA, KY, and TN)

SNAP Employment and Training Helping to Make Dreams Come True

Palmetto Goodwill in Charleston, South Carolina, is one of many agencies across the Southeast that is a USDA FNS SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) partner. SNAP E&T helps participants to gain skills and find work that moves them forward to selfsufficiency. Palmetto Goodwill offers trainings on site, and also utilizes its retrofitted RV Mobile Career Opportunity Center, “The Navigator,” to travel to 24 rural communities to provide various resources and services.

During an in-person meeting this year at Palmetto Goodwill, the agency shared with SERO staff that their participants are thankful for the opportunity for its SNAP to Work program and other employment and training services. This year’s visit was a part of SERO’s plan to identify innovation and promising practices, as well as technical assistance opportunities for SNAP E&T in federal fiscal year 2023.

“The employment and training program really worked well for me. It gave me an opportunity to freshen up my skills to obtain a job.”

Karen M. SNAP TO WORK Participant

Karen M. attended the SERO site visit at Palmetto Goodwill.

Celebrating SNAP Education’s 30th Anniversary

In May 2022, FNS celebrated a 30-year milestone for SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed). The agency spotlighted the program’s success by sharing acknowledgements on social media platforms and presented a National SNAP-Ed 30th Anniversary Webinar Series.

SNAP-Ed focuses on good nutrition, stretching food dollars, living physically active lifestyles, and engaging partners to build healthier communities. This helps to ensure the healthy choice is the easiest choice to make where people live, work, shop, play, eat, and learn. Additionally, FNS’ SNAP-Ed partnerships provide meaningful impacts on local food policies and systems to help advance access and equity in nutrition security.

Tennessee State University is Bridging the Equity Gap

Tennessee State University’s (TSU) SNAPEd program administered a specialized campaign called, “Shop. Cook. Eat. Within Your Budget,” focusing on stretching healthy food management dollars, cooking healthy dishes, and food demonstrations.

TSU SNAP-Ed also developed a Diversity Database to increase the number and availability of images demonstrating diverse populations engaging in healthy eating and physical activities. The program’s diversity outreach strategy utilizes a variety of options to teach nutrition education to SNAP-Ed participants.

The TSU SNAP-Ed team is a grassroots network of local university staff, faculty, and students in the state to reach underserved and lowincome populations. The team was part of the National SNAP-Ed 30th Anniversary Webinar Series that featured regional highlights and agency presentations on program initiatives and achievements.

Photos provided by: Tennessee State University

Southeast HBCUs “Walk Across the 1890s” to Support Underserved Communities

By: Alethea Parker, USDA FNS Southeast

Alabama A&M University (AAMU) and Tennessee State University (TSU) are two of Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Southeast regional USDA 1890 Land Grant Institutions and SNAPEd Implementing Agencies. The Historically Black College and Universities’ (HBCU) extension programs have collaborated with two other HBCU 1890s Land Grant institutions – the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to organize a multistate “Walk Across the 1890s” challenge.

The 10-week initiative involved individuals and teams to trek 1290 miles (the walking distance between the four universities) or as many miles as possible, to focus on building relationships, professional development opportunities, and food accessibility in underserved communities.

Shakeira Foster, a TSU 3rd year doctoral student, participated in the walking challenge daily along TSU’s greenway with her fiancé. “The

walking challenge was a great way for me to stay active while pregnant,” said Foster. “It was fun to be engaged with other HBCUs to achieve a collective goal.”

Courtney Williams was proud to complete the Walk as a member of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) team. “I joined the UAPB Golden Steppers because I wanted to focus on participating in more physical activities throughout the week,” said Williams.

Team members checked on each other daily offering encouragement to reach the collective goal. Participants walked a total of 17,616 miles, surpassing the 1290mile goal. Those who completed an 840-mile walking challenge received a medal and a Certificate of Completion.

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

(D-SNAP)

Disaster Assistance

Florida | Hurricane Ian

On September 29, 2022, President Biden declared the damage caused by Hurricane Ian a major disaster in the State of Florida. The Disaster Declaration allowed FNS to implement the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) to provide continuous support and services to ensure households had available resources to feed their families. D-SNAP benefits help people buy food when they are experiencing economic hardships because of the disaster (loss of jobs, loss of food because of power outages, damages to home and personal possessions, etc.).

FNS also coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the state of Florida, local and voluntary organizations to provide food for shelters and other mass feeding sites, and to distribute food packages directly to households in need.

Ft. Myers Beach in Lee County, Florida, was the hardest hit area from Hurricane Ian. USDA FNS is helping many families with healthy food access through D-SNAP. Photo by: Kim Betton, USDA FNS Southeast

“We lost a lot of food in our refrigerator because of power outages in the hurricane. It makes me feel great to receive the help because we needed it.”

Ramona, Florida D-SNAP Recipient

Florida Residents Impacted by Hurricane Ian Grateful for D-SNAP

In late September this year, Hurricane Ian took a toll on parts of Florida. USDA FNS Southeast Region has partnered with the Florida Department of Children and Families to operate D-SNAP to help feed families in need. In this video, USDA FNS Southeast Regional Public Affairs Director Kim Betton has highlights from one of the hardest hit areas - Fort Myers, Florida.

Residents in Fort Myers Beach are maintaining hope as they rebuild after Hurricane Ian.

Photo by: Kim Betton, USDA FNS Southeast

THROUGH WORKING WITH OUR PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND NON-PROFIT PARTNERS WE ARE IMPROVING FOOD ACCESS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST REGION AND ACROSS THE NATION.

THROUGH WORKING WITH OUR PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND NON-PROFIT PARTNERS WE ARE IMPROVING FOOD ACCESS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST REGION AND ACROSS THE NATION.

Kentucky Flooding

In July 2022, historic torrential downpours, mudslides, and flooding riddled through parts of Eastern Kentucky. The state’s Disaster Declaration permitted FNS to administer D-SNAP resources to assist more than 15,000 households in 12 counties (Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley).

SERO leaders visited the area to see firsthand the devastation, and collaborated with partnership efforts from FEMA, the state of Kentucky, and non-profit organizations to help residents impacted by the storms to get their lives back on track.

Flooded buildings in downtown Hindman, Kentucky. Photos by: Kim Betton, USDA FNS Southeast Region

SERO Regional Administrator Shares P-EBT Message to Key Stakeholders

As part of the federal response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), FNS played a vital role by responding to nutrition assistance needs during the pandemic. Through our regional state and local partners, FNS worked to ensure that children and vulnerable households had access to food.

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is part of FNS’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through P-EBT, eligible school children received temporary emergency nutrition benefits loaded on EBT cards that are used to purchase food. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) made it possible for schools to provide nutritious meals after the regular school session ended. Families First Coronavirus Response Act authorized FNS to approve an extension of State P-EBT plans during the summer due to the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration.

Farm to School is a Win-Win for Students’ Education and Fun!

October was National Farm to School Month. SERO staff visited several schools around the region, engaged with students, and participated in many activities. The Farm to School Program helps child nutrition program operators incorporate local foods in the National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and all associated programs. Click on the videos below to get highlights from students participating in festive and educational activities.

Keep Kids Fed Act: Summer Meals Making a Difference

On June 24, 2022, Congress passed the Keep Kids Fed Act (KKFA), which equips schools, summer meal sites, and child care food programs with extra resources so they can continue serving children through school year 2022-23.

KKFA extended flexibilities for summer meals in 2022, which made it easier to feed all students during the summer months, particularly those in rural areas, through flexible options such as meal delivery and grab-and-go. Programs like Orange County, Florida’s “Summer BreakSpot” helped to feed children this summer as a result of the KKFA. In this video, FNS Administrator Cindy Long joined SERO staff at a “Summer Break Spot” in Orlando, Florida. Learn how this innovative program operates during the summer months providing free, fresh, healthy meals to children and young adults.

A Groovy 2022 National School

Lunch Week

Each year, FNS recognizes National School Lunch Week (NSLW) during the second full week of October. FNS’ school meal programs provide critical nutrition to millions of children every school day, and they provide important nutrients that students need to learn, grow, and be healthy.

The National School Lunch Week 2022 theme was “Peace, Love, & School Lunch.” Over the course of the awareness week, SERO leadership attended several events throughout the region. Click the videos below for highlights!

SITE VISIT: A.L. Burress Elementary Marietta, Georgia

Video By: Kim Betton, USDA

FNS Southeast

SITE VISIT: South Effingham High School Guyton, Georgia

Video By: Kim Betton, USDA

FNS Southeast

Jr. Chef Competition Gives Students Real World Culinary Experience

By Jackie Romain,

Sullivan University, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and USDA Food and Nutrition Service Southeast Regional Office partnered to host the annual Southeast Regional Jr. Chef Competition at Sullivan University in Louisville, KY, in May 2022. High School teams produced delicious healthy meals in the competition that has taken place for more than a decade. Winners receive college scholarships and the championship trophy. Judges praised all participating teams and shared information about opportunities in the culinary world.

Students toured the university and interacted with culinary teachers and their high school peers from across the region. All teams made entrees that met USDA’s National School Lunch Program standards and could be replicated in their own school cafeterias.

This year, the team from Georgia’s Lanier College Career Academy High School in Gainesville, won the competition. Other teams from Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee performed well and made it a very close competition.

Students compete in the Jr. Chef Competition.

Photo By: Jackie Romain, USDA FNS Southeast

USDA FNS Southeast

Video By: Jackie Romain, USDA FNS Southeast

eWIC Launch in Chatham County, Georgia, a Huge Win for Mothers and Families

The June launch of the new Electronic - Women, Infants, and Children (eWIC) card in Savannah, Georgia, (Chatham County) is assisting more than 18,000 mothers. As a result of the new card, mothers no longer have to use the paper voucher to purchase WIC approved foods from authorized eWIC retailers.

The FNS Southeast Region was proud to be apart of the announcement for the launch with the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Coastal Health District (CHD). The leaders were also pleased to test the eWIC card at a nearby WIC retailer.

At the time of the launch, CHD completed more than 3,800 certifications, issued over 5,100 eWIC cards for 5,500 households, representing over 60 percent of the caseloads.

FNCS Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean joins other USDA and State Agency leaders to experience the newly improved eWIC system at a Savannah eWIC retailer.

PROGRAMS

Recognizing Top Performing WIC Clinics

FNS celebrated the annual National Breastfeeding Week the first week of August to highlight the importance of breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition for a baby’s first year of life. This year’s theme, Step Up for Breastfeeding, focused on strengthening the capacity for individuals and organizations to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

During the awareness week, FNS announced its annual Breastfeeding Award of Excellence winners. 97 awards were handed out across the country, including 24 in the Southeast. The awards program was established to recognize local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and activities.

WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women; and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.

The award is given at three levels of performance that build on one another – Gold, Premiere, and Elite. In the Southeast, the following WIC Clinics received Gold Awards:

Florida

Bay County

Escambia County

Gadsden County WIC Program

Hendry Glades WIC

Jackson WIC Agency

Okeechobee County WIC

Putnam County

Georgia

Clayton County Health District

Fulton County Board of Health WIC District 3-2

Kentucky

Laurel County Health Department

Powell County Health Department

Mississippi

Copiah County WIC Clinic - Medical Mall

Hinds County WIC Clinic - Medical Mall

Pike County Health Department

Rankin WIC Clinic

Simpson County WIC Clinic

Warren County WIC Clinic

North Carolina

Buncombe County WIC

Cabarrus Health Alliance

Toe River Health District

Tennessee

East Region

Southeast Region

West Region Jackson

West Region Union City

South Carolina WIC Hosts First In-person Statewide Meeting Since 2019

South Carolina held its first WIC statewide meeting and training in Myrtle Beach this October since the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference agenda focused on the foundations of nutrition service and included a demonstration of the State’s new TeleWIC system. The meeting brought attention to a broad range of topics such as the future of remote operations, breastfeeding promotion, and support staffing. The Mobile WIC Clinic was also a big topic. The vehicle travels to rural areas to assist hundreds of WIC participants with valuable resources. FNS leaders and staff were in attendance and provided updates and remarks.

SERO Leaders attend a tour and presentation of SC’s Mobile WIC Clinic.

FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP)

Southeast Regional Food Bank Conference Hosted in Atlanta

FNS staff collaborated with The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) partners at the 2022 Southeast Food Bank and State Agency Conference in September. The event was hosted by the Atlanta Community Food Bank to support the resiliency and importance of food banks, soup kitchens, and food pantries to ensure providers have the resources they need to implement services in their communities.

USDA announced just prior to the meeting that it will provide close to $2 billion in additional funding to food banks and school meal programs for purchasing American-grown foods. The additional support will help these organizations endure supply chain challenges and elevated food costs as they continue to fulfill their mission of providing nutritious foods to kids and families in need. The investment is part of the USDA’s broader commitment to strengthening the supply chain and making nutritious food more accessible for families.

CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP)

USDA Supports Healthy Eating During National Child and Adult Care Food Program Week

By: Alethea Parker,

FNS senior leadership and SERO staff expressed their support for nutrition security during National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week, March 13-19, 2022. The awareness week highlighted how CACFP works to combat hunger by providing healthy meals for eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating childcare centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers.

FNS Administrator Cindy Long engaged with children at Little Ones Learning Center, located in Forest Park, GA. The Learning Center is a CACFP sponsor that offers after-school events and activities to promote healthy and active lifestyles. During the visit, Administrator Long and SERO staff observed a farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) food demonstration led by the Hand, Heart, and Soul Project. ECE works with the on-site Jazmin Green Community Garden to increase the Learning Center’s access to healthy, local foods, gardening opportunities, and food-based activities.

SE Regional Administrator Willie C. Taylor meeting students at the Little Ones Learning Center. Photo By: Kim Betton, USDA FNS Southeast

FNS Administrator Cindy Long speaking with staff member at Little Ones Learning Center in Forest Park, GA,

Photo By: Kim Betton, USDA FNS Southeast

USDA FNS Southeast

CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM

Additionally, FNS Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean and SERO staff met with CACFP participants at Kaleidoscope, Inc., located in Louisville, KY. The organization provides therapeutic daycare services for special needs adults to promote independence and educational resources. FNS supports the Center’s mission to provide nutritious meals and snacks according to individualized dietary needs.

KEY FACT

Each day, more than 4.2 million children and 138,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

SERO FNS staff with CACFP participant at Kaleidoscope, Inc. in Louisville, KY. Photo credit: Kaleidoscope, Inc.

FNS and Kaleidoscope, Inc. group photo in Louisville, KY. Photo credit: Kaleidoscope, Inc.

DIVSERTY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILTY

SERO Honored To Host USDA FNS Agency Wide Women’s History Month Program

KeyNote Speaker, National Producer Lillian Smith of the former syndicated talk show - The Donahue Show.

SERO was honored to host the agency-wide 2022 Women’s History Month Program in March. This year’s theme was “Women in Leadership: Vision, Passion and Purpose.” The pre-recorded program produced by our regional Public Affairs Division, highlighted trailblazing women in agriculture. Throughout the month we shared remarkable contributions from women in weekly updates called “Women’s History Moments” (shown below). Our keynote speaker for the virtual program was award winning television producer Lillian Smith who worked many years as a lead producer on the national syndicated television talk show, The Donahue Show.

We were also honored to have USDA women in leadership, partners from around the region, and also Georgia’s Youngest Certified Farmer Kendall Rae Johnson to provide remarks.

Lillian Smith and Phil Donahue of The Donahue Show | Photo provided by: Lillian Smith

6 Year old Georgia Girl Honored in 2022 as State’s Youngest Certified Farmer

Featured on Good Morning America

By Jackie Romain, USDA FNS Southeast

Georgia’s youngest certified farmer is Kendall Rae Johnson. SERO was onsite when Good Morning America (GMA) filmed the little farmer at work. Kendall was not shy when talking about the many things she grows and how to find and get rid of bugs growing on her produce. “My garden is my favorite part of my house,” said Kendall.

The “garden” Kendall refers to has grown into a backyard farm and business named aGROWKulture. With the help of her parents, Kendall grows vegetables, hosts visitors, works alongside other children interested in farming, and provides fresh food to the community. Profits from produce sales are being used to build an outdoor agriculture science lab among other things. This happy, friendly, upbeat little girl seems unaware of how she is inspiring and helping people within and outside the agriculture industry. Kendall says what she really likes best about being a farmer is playing in the dirt. After the December filming in Atlanta, the Johnson family flew to New York and was interviewed by GMA host, Michael Strahan. With over 5 million viewers, Kendall displayed fruits and vegetables from her farm and demonstrated how to grow produce. On the show, she was awarded a $10,000 check to help fund her farming activities.

Kendall’s garden is also used in her home school curriculum. Ursula Johnson, Kendall’s mom told SERO Public Affairs that Kendall learned to count to 100 by counting plants on the farm, and the farm is also used to teach science and vocabulary. “Kendall’s mission is to meet new friends, make new things, and inspire other kids,” said Mrs. Johnson.

“I love playing outside in my garden. I like to watch my fruits and vegetables grow!”

Kendall Rae Johnson

Kendall is proud of the fruits and vegatables she grows in her garden. Photo provided by: aGROWKULTURE, Inc.

Kendall in her garden speaking to a videographer filming for ABC’s Good Morning America. Photo by: Jackie Romain, USDA FNS Southeast

SERO SUCCESS IN THE NEWS

All throughout the year, our Public Affairs Division worked diligently to share FNS successes with regional media. Below is sample coverage from 2022.

Charleston

County School District

MORE NEWS LINKS:

USDA Visits SandersClyde Elementary Charleston County School

USDA official to visit Charleston Tuesday to talk equity, food security | Charleston City Paper

USDA Under Secretary visits, meets with JCTC students (WAVE-TV)

Kentucky program using SNAP benefits to help students in need (WLKY-TV)

USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Southeast Region recognizes National Farmers Market Week - The Richmond Observer

WIC launching electronic pilot program in Chatham Co. (WTOC-TV)

KY flood survivors now eligible for disaster food benefits | WEKU

The Weather Channel

SERO Regional Administrator Willie C. Taylor appeared on The Weather Channel to share the angle of D-SNAP in Florida, in response to Hurricane Ian. The “live” interview via ZOOM took place on Sunday, October 30, on two of The Weather Channel’s weekend morning shows called “America’s Weekend Headquarters” and “Weekend Recharge.”

SERO PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF

MEET THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM USDA FNS SOUTHEAST REGION

R. chRiS JoneS

viSual infoRmation SPecialiSt

SoutheaSt Region

alethea PaRKeR.

PuBlic affaiRS PecialiSt

SoutheaSt Region

JacKie Romain

PuBlic affaiRS SPecialiSt

SoutheaSt Region

Kim Betton

PuBlic affaiRS diRectoR SoutheaSt Region

2022 PHOTO GALLERY

Rocky Ridge Elementary School in Hoover, AL has fun dressing in 1960’s costumes to celebrate 2022 National School Lunch Week’s theme: Love, Peace and School Lunch!

Our D-SNAP program is helping to feed children and families in eastern Kentucky after historic floods caused major tragedy and losses.

Yesterday, FNS Southeast Regional Administrator visited partner summer meal sites in MS and AL. We are thankful for all of the hardworking school nutrition professionals that keep kids fed when school is out!

Deputy Under Sec. Stacy Dean shared USDA’s actions on Nutrition Security, last week, at plenary session @FeedingKY. FNS is working to support efforts to expand the reach of the emergency food network in food insecure areas.

“It’s been a great year and you’ve been a big part of it”

“It’s been a great year and you’ve been a big part of it.”