Frequently Asked Questions
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1. |
What is the FDPIR? |
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2. |
What are the eligibility requirements
for FDPIR? |
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3. |
What foods are available through FDPIR? |
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4.
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Does the program provide information
about health and nutrition? |
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5. |
How many people participate in the
program, and what does it cost? |
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6. |
Where can I go for more information?
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ANSWERS |
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1. What is the FDPIR?
FDPIR provides commodity foods to low-income households living on
Indian reservations, and to American Indian households residing in
approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. Many households
participate in the FDPIR as an alternative to the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP), because they do not have easy access to SNAP offices
or authorized food stores.
The program is administered at the Federal level by the Food and
Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. FDPIR is administered locally by either Indian Tribal
Organizations (ITOs) or an agency of a State government. Currently,
there are approximately 257 tribes receiving benefits under FDPIR
through 98 ITOs and 5 State agencies.
USDA purchases and ships commodities to the ITOs and State agencies.
Commodities are selected from a list of available foods. These
administering agencies store and distribute the foods, determine
applicant eligibility, and provide nutrition education to
recipients. USDA provides the administering agencies with funds for
program administrative costs.
FDPIR is authorized under Section 4(b) of the Food Stamp Act of
1977, and Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection
Act of 1973. FDPIR is authorized through 2007. Federal regulations
governing the program can be found at 7 CFR Parts
250,
253 and
254.
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2. What are
the eligibility requirements for FDPIR?
Low-income American Indian and
non-Indian households that reside on a reservation and households
living in approved areas near a reservation or in Oklahoma that
contains at least one person, who is a member of a
Federally-recognized tribe, are eligible to participate in FDPIR.
Households are certified based on income and resource standards set
by the Federal government, and must be recertified at Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program in the same month.
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3. What foods are available
through FDPIR?
Each month, participating households receive a food package to help
them maintain a nutritionally balanced diet. Participants may select
from over 70 products including:
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frozen ground beef and chicken; canned meats,
poultry and fish
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canned fruits and vegetables; canned soups; and
spaghetti sauce
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macaroni and cheese; pastas; cereals; rice; and
other grains;
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cheese; egg mix and nonfat dry and evaporated
milk
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flour; cornmeal; bakery mix; and reduced sodium
crackers
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low-fat refried beans; dried beans; and
dehydrated potatoes
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canned juices and dried fruit
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peanuts and peanut butter
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corn syrup; vegetable oil; and shortening
Participants on most reservations can choose fresh
produce instead of canned fruits and vegetables. For a complete list
of Foods Available for FDPIR for FY 2008, visit the Food
Distribution web site at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/foods/fy08-fdpirfoods.pdf.
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4. Does the program provide
information about health and nutrition?
Yes, USDA provides information about nutrition, and suggestions for
making the most nutritious use of commodity foods. Available
materials include:
Administering agencies are responsible for providing
nutrition education to participants. Federal administrative funding
is available for these activities, which can include individual
nutrition counseling, cooking demonstrations, nutrition classes, and
the dissemination of information on how commodities may be used to
contribute to a nutritious diet and on the proper storage of
commodities.
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5. How many
people participate in the program, and what does it cost?
Average monthly participation for fiscal year 2006 was 89,920
individuals. In fiscal year 2006 $79.5 million was appropriated for FDPIR—approximately $25.1 million for the Federal share of local
level administrative costs (generally, 75 percent of all allowable
administrative costs incurred), and the remainder for food
purchases, including no less than $3 million for a special purchase
of bison meat.
USDA purchases most foods distributed in the program with FDPIR
appropriations; however, some commodities offered through FDPIR may
be donated to the program from agricultural surpluses.
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6. Where
can I go for more information?
Please locate and contact your
State agency at:
www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/fdpir-contacts.htm
or your
FNS regional
office. You may also e-mail us at:
fdd-psb@fns.usda.gov.
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Last Modified:
11/30/2008
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