USDA Announces Availability Of $5 Million In Food Stamp Program Participation Grants

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that up to $5 million in Food Stamp Program grants is available 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 Johanns. “Expanding our partnerships with state governments, as well as faith-based and community 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.

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.