SECRETARY SCHAFER AWARDS $21.8 MILLION IN GRANTS TO STATES FOR THE SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, July 30, 2008 - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced $21 million in final Fiscal Year 2008 grant awards to 49 state agencies and tribal organizations for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. These senior's markets provide low-income seniors with coupons exchanged for fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs.
"The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides low-income seniors with improved nutrition choices while also helping local farmers gain new customers who will eat more fresh fruits and vegetables," said Schafer.
These grants will serve more than 900,000 low-income senior citizens nationwide this season. This year, coupons for fresh produce will be accepted by over 14,000 farmers at more than 5,100 markets, roadside stands and/or community-supported agriculture programs.
The new Farm Bill provides $20.6 million to operate the seniors' market grants this year, an increase of $5.6 million in appropriated funds. An additional $1.2 million in FY 2007 unspent funds are also available for use. All 46 State agencies that received funding in 2007 will receive funding in 2008. In addition, 2 new State agencies - Arizona and New Mexico - and one new Indian Tribal Organization - Standing Rock Sioux in North Dakota - will receive funding.
FY 2008 SFMNP FINAL GRANT LEVELS
Alabama
$1,732,673
Alaska
$92,065
Arizona * (New State Agency)
$161,111
Arkansas
$119,666
California
$809,837
Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma
$177,985
Connecticut
$87,688
District of Columbia
$154,926
Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc.
$19,240
Florida
$104,903
Georgia
$250,000
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians
$9,592
Hawaii
$553,412
Illinois
$852,695
Indiana
$59,604
Iowa
$573,087
Kansas
$188,580
Kentucky
$316,371
Louisiana
$418,972
Maine
$997,454
Maryland
$224,622
Massachusetts
$555,915
Michigan
$241,701
Minnesota
$118,536
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
$28,451
Mississippi
$102,388
Montana
$101,920
Nebraska
$246,775
Nevada
$164,125
New Hampshire
$101,431
New Jersey
$1,171,273
New Mexico * (New State Agency)
$337,004
New York
$1,906,553
North Carolina
$86,083
Ohio
$1,719,840
Oregon
$906,879
Osage Tribal Council
$38,140
Pennsylvania
$1,907,481
Pueblo of San Felipe
$17,474
Puerto Rico
$1,000,000
Rhode Island
$276,740
Standing Rock * (New State Agency)
$22,200
South Carolina
$638,737
Tennessee
$545,887
Vermont
$91,479
Virginia
$474,337
Washington
$241,576
West Virginia
$544,630
Wisconsin
$343,944
NATIONAL TOTAL
$21,835,982
USDA's nutrition assistance reaches one in five Americans every year, serving as the nation's first line of defense against hunger. USDA's 15 assistance programs include the Food Stamp Program, Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, school meals programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC.
