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Food Stamp Program
Last updated: February 08, 2010
The food stamp program traces its earliest origins back to the food stamp plan, which helped needy families during the Depression era. The modern program began as a pilot program in 1961 and was authorized as a permanent program in the Food Stamp Act of 1964. Expansion of the program occurred most dramatically after 1974 when Congress required all states to offer food stamps to low-income households. Participation generally peaks in periods of high unemployment, inflation, and recession.
The program helps put food on the table for more than 27 million Americans every day. It provides low income households with coupons that can be used like cash at most grocery stores to ensure that they have access to a healthy diet.
In 1996, the Congress passed and the President signed legislation reforming welfare programs. Included in that legislation were changes to both the food stamp and commodity distribution programs. Most notably, these changes included the implementation of an electronic benefit transfer system, the creation of a means for homeless individuals to utilize food coupons, and authorization for the federal government to purchase various commodities for distribution. The present Food Stamp program should be broadened to include a coupon program, similar to the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, to encourage participants to purchase local agricultural food products.
The effectiveness in providing a healthy diet for the needy under the food stamp program depends upon improvements in providing food to the needy. The elimination of provisions allowing for the cash-out of food stamps is important to protecting the program from increased fraud and abuse.
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WIC
Last updated: February 08, 2010
Under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), low income women, infants and children have access to food, nutrition counseling, and health services. Federal grants are provided to states to support the efforts of the WIC program. At the state level, most WIC programs provide vouchers that participants can use at authorized food stores. All states including the District of Columbia, 32 tribal organizations, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam participate in the WIC program.
Children tend to be the largest recipient of the WIC benefits, but such benefits are not always able to reach or serve all eligible participants. Nutritionally at-risk women, infants and children eligible to participate in the program should be able to take advantage of its benefits.
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WIC Farmers’ Market
Last updated: February 08, 2010
The WIC farmers’ market nutrition program (FMNP) was established by Congress in 1992 in order to expand the use and awareness of farmers’ markets, and provide locally grown, nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers to women, infants, and children who are nutritionally at risk. The FMNP currently operates in 35 states, Washington, D.C., four Indian tribal organizations, and one territory. Under the FMNP, WIC participants are provided with a limited promotional and educational benefit to encourage a change in their eating and shopping behavior. In 2000, more than 2000 farmers’ markets; 13,000 farmers; and 1.9 million women, infants, and children benefited from the FMNP.
One hundred percent of the food funds budgeted for the FMNP go into farmers’ pockets. In 2000, farmers earned in excess of $17.6 million in direct sales from FMNP coupons. Two-thirds of the WIC participants said they continue to shop with the farmers after their FMNP benefits are expended.
USDA provides grants to assist states with up to 70 percent of the cost to implement the FMNP. The success of the FMNP has encouraged additional state departments of agriculture and/or departments of health to seek federal funding to implement the FMNP. Moreover, states that already have FMNP grants would like to expand their programs to additional farmers’ markets.
FMNP has proven to be a highly cost-effective means to stimulate production of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables and encourage the growth of farmers’ markets. These farmers’ markets provide an important outlet for local farmers while enhancing communities and providing consumers a wider variety of choices and greater access to local farm production.
The FMNP is an outstanding investment for agriculture and the nation and should be supported. Expansion of the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to additional states and farmers’ markets should also be strongly supported.
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Senior Farmers’ Market
Last updated: February 08, 2010
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) was established as a pilot program in 2001 in an effort to provide a direct tie between nutrition and production agriculture by allowing eligible individuals to purchase fresh local produce directly from farmers.
The SFMNP is designed to increase the consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the development of farmers’ markets and by providing fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs to low-income seniors.
Scientific research has shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides essential nutrients and helps reduce the incidence of certain illnesses, including cancer. I believe this program is critically important to providing seniors- who are increasingly faced with fixed incomes- with these nutritious foods.
The 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 allows USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to continue the program by providing SFMNP grants to 32 states, 3 Indian Tribal Organizations, Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Fiscal year 2002 grants totaled $15 million.
The SFMNP Expect to serve 400,000 low-income senior citizens who utilize coupons to purchase fruit, vegetables and herbs from approximately 3,500 farmers at nearly 2,000 markets, roadside stands or community supported agriculture programs.
NASDA encourages Congress to continue funding for the SFMNP as a means of enhancing the relationship between seniors and local farmers who provide fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets. NASDA further supports expanding the program to additional states and farmers’ markets.