EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the termination of its long-standing food security reports, a decision that has raised concerns among local food distributors and officials.

The USDA's decision to end the reports, which have been published annually for 30 years, comes with the agency's claim that the studies are "redundant, costly, and politicized." The final report is scheduled for release in October.

Congressman Richard Neal from Massachusetts criticized the USDA's decision, stating, "It's an ill-considered decision. There seems to be an outright rejection of any news gathering that does not agree with the administration."

Food insecurity affected 47 million people in 2023, and these statistics have traditionally been measured by gove

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