Release No. 0254.07
Contact: Jean Daniel (703) 305-2286
Printable version
USDA Awards Nearly $5 Million in Grants To Increase Access
and Participation
in Food Stamp Program
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2007 – Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner today
announced USDA will award almost $5 million in grants to Oregon, Utah, Vermont,
Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Montana and Louisville/Jefferson County in Kentucky
to modernize and simplify the Food Stamp Program application process for
America's low-income households.
"This week, USDA commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Food Stamp Act of
1977, which charted a new course in providing nutrition assistance for millions
of low-income children and families," said Conner. "Together with our partners
we will continue to simplify program access while maintaining integrity in the
program."
The participation grants focus on utilizing technological advances to improve
customer service. Online applications can increase the number of ways applicants
can access the program. Other strategies such as automated telephone services
and application sites outside of the traditional social services office can make
the program more accessible for the disabled and elderly.
The seven grantees are the: Oregon Department of Human Services; Utah Department
of Workforce Services; Vermont Department for Children and Families;
Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government in Kentucky; Mississippi Department
of Human Services; Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare; and Montana
Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Administered by the Food and Nutrition Service, the Food Stamp Program is the
cornerstone of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs that forms the nation's
nutrition safety net. The Program provides a vital supplement to the food
budgets of 26 million low-income men, women and children each month. For more
information on the Food Stamp Program and USDA, visit
http://www.usda.gov.
Additional information about each project is available online at
http://www.fns.usda.gov.
Last modified:
03/27/2008
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