WASHINGTON – Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), joined by six House Republicans, sent a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack seeking answers about fraud and improper payments affecting hungry children. The letter comes after USDA ignored an earlier request for documents relating to taxpayer-funded nutrition programs.
In the letter, the Members write: “According to allegations from the Department of Justice, Feeding Our Future, a Minnesota-based non-profit organization participating in the Federal Child Nutrition Programs, defrauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service of over $250 million. Subsequent to our September 30, 2022, letter to you, the number of people that have been charged has increased from 47 to 60, and a total of 10 people have plead guilty.”
The Members continue:“It is unclear how the USDA and its partnering state agency, the Minnesota Department of Education, failed to discern this fraud – described as the ‘largest pandemic fraud in the United States’ – earlier in the grant cycle.Millions of taxpayer funds were stolen at the expense of hungry children in the state.”
The Members conclude by again requesting:
All documents and communications regarding Feeding Our Future, including but not limited to any records required to be made available by Feeding our Future for audit and inspection in connection with its participation in federal nutrition programs.
All documents and communications regarding any USDA inspection or audit of any records associated with Feeding Our Future.
All documents and communications between any USDA official, employee, agent, or contractor and any official or entity within the state of Minnesota, including but not limited to the Minnesota Department of Education, relating to Feeding Our Future.
A copy of any relevant USDA policy relating to the authority of USDA officials, employees, agents, or contractors or state partner agencies to respond to and prevent potential fraud or improper conduct.
All documents and communications relating to any actions taken or planned by USDA to establish additional integrity measures designed to prevent fraud and improper payments.
The letter is co-signed by Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN), Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), James Comer (R-KY), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Pete Stauber (R-MN), and Michelle Fischbach(R-MN).
