JACKSON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it plans to close 11 offices in Mississippi as part of a $150 million cost cutting measure that includes 259 closures nationwide.
The Clarion-Ledger reports that the Food, Nutrition office will close in Jackson. Farm Service Agency offices in Ashland, Ackerman, Hernando, Fulton, Coffeeville, Monticello, Raleigh and Purvis will close. An Animal Plant Health Inspection Service office in Gulfport; and a Rural Development office in Hernando also will close.
Food Nutrition Service is the source of the federal SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps. FSA’s services include financial assistance programs for farmers and crop growers.
The closings aren’t final. Public hearings must be held in the areas where an office is slated to close.
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