SPARKS, Nev. -
May 31, 2022The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is
working with six organizations to improve food security throughout the state. According
to studies by Feeding
America, one in eight Nevadans do not know where their next meal will come
from. Through the distribution of $500,000 of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA)
funds, the NDA is investing in Nevada’s food and hunger organizations to better
meet immediate food security needs still felt from the impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic and establish resources and systems to improve food security in the
future.
“Addressing food insecurity has always been a
top priority for the NDA,” said NDA Director Jennifer Ott. “We saw the need for
food assistance increase during the pandemic, but as we look towards recovery,
we will be using ARPA funds to address those needs and plan for the future.”
Food insecurity affects Nevadans in different
areas throughout the state. From food deserts, to underserved populations, the
NDA helped to help fill those gaps and ensure food is available for those that need
it. Projects from six organizations were funded with the goal of improving food
security in the state:
- Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada received
nearly $100,000 to serve food to an increased number of food-insecure Nevadans.
Funds will be used to scale up food purchases, including purchasing local food
from Nevada farmers, and distribute through 42 food pantries in rural, Tribal
and underserved urban communities. In addition to current food distributions, a
new distribution site will be established in Golden Valley to serve a
previously underserved area of 640 households per month.
- Fallon Food Hub received $94,000 to increase
food assistance across Churchill County and the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe. Produce
will be sourced from Nevada farmers to keep funds in the state’s agriculture
industry while providing fresh produce and hot meals for those in need.
- Food Bank of Northern Nevada received
nearly $62,000 to purchase food to address the increased need for food
assistance in the state. Food will be distributed by leveraging their network
of partner agencies throughout northern Nevada to provide over 100,000 meals to
food-insecure residents and address hunger in the state.
- Nevada Partnerships for Homeless Youth received
$54,000 to increase their ability to meet the varied and growing needs of
underserved at-risk and homeless youth in southern Nevada. Funds will be used
to improve infrastructure for better food storage capabilities and to expand
service delivery of basic needs, providing vital services to Nevadans who need
it.
- Three Square received $95,000 to partner
with organizations to expand services to food-insecure individuals in rural
Clark, Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda counties. Funds will be used to help partner
organizations develop infrastructure and provide food for more frequent
distribution in more remote southern Nevada communities.
- Walker River Paiute Tribe received nearly
$95,000 to expand healthy food access and fill the gap for 1,200 residents
living in a food desert on the Walker River Paiute Reservation. Funds will be
used to improve infrastructure to hold and distribute more food, enabling them
to better support their communities in the future.
“The NDA recognizes the need for investment in
infrastructure and expansion of food assistance services to ensure all Nevadans
have enough food,” said NDA Director Ott. “Everyone deserves a meal when they
are hungry, and we have to do more to get food to the people who need it.”
The NDA is developing additional food security initiatives
and more opportunities will be available for organizations interested in
helping. To learn more about the NDA’s food security efforts and find meal
sites, visit agri.nv.gov.
About the Nevada Department of Agriculture
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) mission is to preserve, protect and promote Nevada’s agriculture. The department has 225 dedicated employees providing services in its five divisions, Administrative Services, Animal Industry, Measurement Standards, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Health and Compliance. The department’s $232 million budget facilitates regulatory and administrative work in agriculture and food manufacturing industries, protecting public and environmental health and worker safety, and providing food distribution and oversight for the United States Department of Agriculture’s school and community nutrition programs.