USDA Resources Include 30,000 Housing Units and $50 million in Food Assistance
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued two directives to further meet the food and housing needs of Hurricane Katrina survivors. The USDA has authorized states to pre-load electronic food benefit cards with $50 worth of assistance, which will enable displaced residents to immediately purchase food even before their application has been processed to receive complete benefits. These cards can then be distributed to displaced residents as they move from shelters to temporary housing. The food stamp program is administered by states and fully funded by USDA. States are being notified of the authorization and urged to take advantage of it. USDA has earmarked $50 million dollars to provide emergency food assistance to Hurricane Katrina survivors. USDA is increasing the level of assistance available to current food stamp recipients who were affected by the hurricane, as well as providing assistance to hurricane survivors who have not previously participated in the food stamp program.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Disaster Assistance
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is responsible for providing nutrition assistance for disaster-affected areas requiring a Federal response. In the aftermath of a major disaster or emergency, FNS coordinates with State, local, and voluntary organizations (as well as with other Federal agencies) to determine potential nutrition assistance needs of disaster victims. This link provides access to FNS and other USDA programs’ activities to provide food to survivors of Hurricane Katrina.