General Disaster Information

	The Texas Department of Agriculture is monitoring the impacts of the Texas Severe Winter Storm. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) manages statewide disaster coordination and responds to disaster events. To support this effort, TDA provides food, as requested, to organizations like Food Banks and the Red Cross to support in-need individuals. At the local level, schools may serve as emergency shelters if they have been approved to operate as an emergency shelter within their city plans. Guidance for school shelters serving USDA Foods can be found here. Schools and other meal service operators that are able to safely provide meal service, may continue to do so. Guidance for meal program operators impacted by the severe weather can be found here. Federal flexibilities granted help support meal operators continue meal service to eligible participants.

Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Texas Department of Agriculture

Commissioner Sid Miller