Dear Friend, 

Many of you likely remember the Feeding Our Future scandal that broke in September of 2022. Since then, a total of 60 Minnesotans have been arrested in connection to the alleged fraud scheme that siphoned money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.

The more than $250 million allegedly stolen from the USDA was intended to help feed families and children in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, criminals used the funds to purchase real estate and properties overseas, luxury vehicles, planes and boats.

That’s why we are demanding answers to this gross mismanagement of taxpayer funds.

When news of this scheme broke last fall, I, along with members of the Minnesota Republican Delegation immediately joined Education and Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, Agriculture Chairman Thompson and Oversight Chairman Comer in sending a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, requesting information.

Our requests went unanswered. It has been nearly 10 months since our original request for information, and in that time Secretary Vilsack has made it clear that the USDA has no interest in addressing this fraud.

Last Thursday, we sent a follow-up letter to Secretary Vilsack, again requesting all documents and communications related to the Feeding Our Future scandal within the USDA. The letter also requests all documents and communications between the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Education, and the USDA relating to the Feeding Our Future Scandal.

Minnesotans expect their tax dollars to be spent wisely and deserve answers as to how those dollars were allowed to be stolen at the expense of hungry children. We will not rest until we have those answers.

Sincerely,