Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack admitted the USDA made mistakes in awarding a contract to Paris Borthers Inc. as the sole distributor for certain critical food aid programs. The change resulted in food shortages among low-income populations in at least eight states.

Since the contract went into effect in April, tribes have reported delayed and missed food distribution program deliveries. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which serves low-income seniors and food banks, also reported missed deliveries. These shortages could get worse in the next few weeks.

Vilsack said the USDA plans to bring back the previous distributor, Americold, for a six-month contract. This change should occur in the next few weeks. The USDA also brought in FEMA officials to help speed up food delivery.

In other political news, California lawmakers voted last week to prohibit Golden State schools from serving food additives used in fluorescent snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Twinkies and others. “California has a responsibility to protect our students from chemicals that harm children and interfere with their ability to learn,” Democratic member Jesse Gabriel said. Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to sign the first-of-its-kind bill into law.

Read more about the food aid shortages and other political ag news here.