Release No. 0335.09
Contact: Jean Daniel (703) 305-2281
Printable version
USDA'S Food and Nutrition Service Turns 40; Continues
Serving as the Nation's Nutritional Safety Net for Those in Need
Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs Now Serve One in
Every Five Americans
WASHINGTON, July 23, 2009-Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan
today recognized the 40th anniversary of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS), the Federal agency that administers the Nation's domestic nutrition
assistance programs.
"This anniversary is both a milestone and opportunity to reflect on the
essential measures put in place to shape the nutritional wellbeing of children,
the elderly and their families," Merrigan said. "To advance the nation's health,
I look forward to working with FNS to support President Obama's commitment to
end childhood hunger by 2015 and improving the nutrition and health of all
Americans."
FNS administers the 15 domestic nutrition assistance programs which together
comprise the Nation's food safety net. They include the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly the Food Stamp Program); National School
Lunch Program (NSLP); Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants
and Children (WIC); Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program; and the Emergency Food
Assistance Program (TEFAP), among others.
Nutrition education and outreach efforts to the underserved are top
priorities in all FNS mission areas. By providing nutrition education,
low-income individuals and families are better equipped to connect dietary
choices and physical activity with overall wellbeing. To increase participation,
FNS conducts outreach targeting eligible populations, such as Hispanics and the
elderly.
Many programs were formed before FNS was created as a separate agency in
August 1969. SNAP, which remains the cornerstone of USDA's nutrition assistance,
took root in its modern form in 1961, but originated during the Great
Depression. The National School Lunch Program was also born in the 1930's to
better nourish low-income schoolchildren. And the Needy Family Program, which
has evolved into the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, served as
the primary means of food assistance during that same era.
Since 1969, the SNAP/Food Stamp Program has issued over $554 billion in
program benefits; NSLP has served over 169 billion meals; and $27 billion in
USDA commodities have been issued in food benefits for schools and another $23
billion in food benefits for household and emergency feeding programs.
For more information about FNS's programs, visit
www.fns.usda.gov/fns.
Last modified:
07/23/2009
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