Release No. 0085.06
Jean Daniel (202) 720-7711
Susan Acker (703) 305-2286
Printable version
USDA Announces Availability of $5 Million in Food Stamp Program Participation
Grants WASHINGTON, March 13, 2006—Agriculture Deputy
Secretary Chuck Conner today announced that up to $5 million is available for
Food Stamp Program grants to improve the accessibility and awareness of USDA’s
Food Stamp Program for low-income households. “These
grants are part of President Bush's efforts to encourage those who are eligible
for benefits to participate in the Food Stamp Program,” said Conner. “Expanding
our partnerships with state governments, as well as faith and community based
organizations, will help to further enhance access to families needing nutrition
assistance.”
The 2002 Farm Bill authorized USDA to award $5 million
in grants for projects aimed at simplifying the food stamp application and
eligibility systems or improving access to food stamp benefits by eligible
households. This year USDA intends to fund at least one proposal that involves a
partnership between a State agency and one or more private non-profit
organizations, including faith or community based organizations. In addition,
FNS is interested in funding a proposal that consists of a partnership between
State agencies that serve traditionally underserved and economically depressed
geographic areas that overlap state boundaries.
The Food Stamp Program, administered by USDA’s Food and
Nutrition Service, is the cornerstone of federal nutrition assistance programs
and provides crucial support to working poor and needy households. The program
currently serves more than 26 million people monthly.
Grant applications can be found online at
www.grants.gov or on the Food and Nutrition Service website at
www.fns.usda.gov/fsp . Grant
applications will be accepted for the next 90 days.
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