ON THE WAY FOR HOUSEHOLDS

Approximately 7,000 families in Cross and Pulaski County affected by recent tornados and severe storms will soon be able to receive food packages containing nutritious, high-quality foods that are 100% grown and produced on farms in the U.S. –known as USDA Foods. USDA approved the short-term measure to address an immediate need for food until a longer-term solution is ready.

Arkansas officials will work directly with its partners and local food banks to issue food boxes to participants located in the affected areas.

The Disaster Household Distribution program helps states after a disaster disrupts normal food supply channels. For instance, when disasters damage or destroy grocery stores, states can redirect stored supplies of USDA Foods from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) toward emergencies. The USDA can also ship USDA Food from other states. USDA can then replace the redirected foods so that the state continues to have USDA foods available for those in need.