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.
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