WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Secretary Rollins announced additional details of her plan to restructure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This announcement includes significant planned changes for the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which oversees administration of several federal nutrition programs, including WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Under the plan announced today, FNS will be reorganized into a new Food and Nutrition Administration, relocating program staff from current D.C. and regional office locations to new hubs across the country. The Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs (SNAS) team, which oversees WIC and other nutrition programs, will be relocated to Kansas City, MO. Today’s announcement also includes plans to move from FNS’s current regional office structure, with offices located in and serving seven distinct geographical regions, to new hubs.
Specifically, the memo does not explain how the new hub structure will preserve the regional expertise, state-specific relationships, and timely technical assistance that WIC State Agencies rely on to operate effectively.
The following is a statement from Georgia Machell, president and CEO of the National WIC Association, on the Trump Administration’s Plan to Move Forward with Reorganizing USDA FNS:
“We strongly oppose the Administration’s decision to move forward with plans to reorganize USDA, including FNS. This includes the relocation of staff responsible for administering WIC and other federal nutrition programs. WIC’s success depends on experienced federal staff, strong regional support, and close coordination between USDA, State and Local Agencies, clinics, vendors, and community partners.
“This decision also appears to disregard the directive from Congress included in the FY 2026 appropriations law, which requires the Secretary of Agriculture to notify and receive approval from Congress before reorganizing offices or relocating offices or employees (PL 119-37 Sec. 716). USDA should not move forward without full transparency, congressional approval, and meaningful consultation with the State Agencies and stakeholders responsible for delivering WIC services every day.
“USDA’s own analysis of public feedback found that the overwhelming majority of comments expressed negative sentiment toward the reorganization. Moving forward despite those concerns raises serious questions about whether USDA is meaningfully listening to the people, programs, and communities affected by these changes.
“This announcement comes on the back of a series of moves from the Trump administration that have resulted in massive staff loss at FNS and disruptions to WIC operations at the state and local levels, including the dismissal of probationary employees and deferred resignation programs. These disruptions are likely to be long-lasting, as relocation to new geographic areas may create additional challenges for recruiting and retaining a strong workforce.
“The announcement characterizes the proposed reorganization and relocation of FNS staff as part of an effort to 'better prioritize State service and participant needs,' but these changes could undermine the close working relationships between State WIC Agencies and regional offices that are essential to day-to-day program operations. It also offers no plan to retain experienced FNS staff or prevent the loss of institutional knowledge as employees are asked to relocate to new offices across the country.
“WIC is one of the nation’s most effective public health nutrition programs, providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services. USDA should strengthen the infrastructure that makes WIC work, not destabilize it. We urge USDA to pause implementation, provide full transparency, seek required congressional approval, and work directly with WIC stakeholders before advancing any changes that could negatively impact access to this essential program.”