MAHA Could Feed Seniors with Local Produce

American farmers who have lost federal support to provide meat and produce to food pantries, school, and childcare centers may soon have a new opportunity: They could help feed seniors in their communities. The idea could develop through the “Make America Healthy Again” movement in the Trump administration.

Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) is an initiative led by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Junior, to make the country’s food system healthier. The Trump administration in considering MAHA food boxes as a different way to provide nutrition to lower income older Americans.

RELATED: Some farmers may be looking to transition their focus because of federal budget cuts.

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget sent a budget request to Congress that included this information:

"The Budget provides resources to the Department of Health and Human Services that would allow the Secretary to tackle issues related to nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyles, over-reliance on medication and treatments, the effects of new technological habits, environmental impacts, and food and drug quality and safety.”

The request also included little information about the new food delivery concept:

“The Budget also supports the creation of MAHA food boxes, that would be filled with commodities sourced from domestic farmers and given directly to American households. The Budget includes resources to ensure food safety nationwide, including support for increased production and demand for services."

Not much has been released yet about what would go into the MAHA food boxes or how local farmers would connect with the program. Although, the budget request also stated, “Unlike the current approach using food banks, which provide those in need with shelf-stable foods that are high in sodium and other harmful ingredients, MAHA boxes would be filled with commodities sourced from domestic farmers and given directly to American households."

State Creates Own Program to Feed Families Over the Summer

The concept toward healthier options could have similarities to a newly approved program in Iowa where the state has received permission to create its own summer food program for eligible families. Instead of the previous federal USDA program which sent  pre-loaded debit cards that allowed them to choose their own foods, the state program will allow the families to choose from pre-selected healthy food options.  

“Healthier children are more likely to lead more successful lives,” said Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia. “We must forge a new path and lead the way on promoting healthier lifestyles in our children, so they choose fruits and vegetables over unhealthy options. We are excited to partner with the regional food banks across our state to meet the unique needs of their communities.”

The change reflects efforts by some Republican leaders to limit what lower income families can buy with government assistance funding. Arkansas -- led by its Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as President Trump’s press secretary during his first term – has asked the USDA for permission to deny purchases of soda and candy from the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP).

RELATED: Increased opportunities for farmers could be especially important for some as bankruptcies have been climbing across the country.