Release No. 0071.04

Contact: Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
Jean Daniel (703) 305-2286 

USDA Announces $6 Million In Food Stamp Program Outreach And Access Grant Solicitations

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2004 – Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the availability of up to $6 million in two Food Stamp Program grant competitions to improve access to and awareness of USDA's Food Stamp Program for low-income households. Grant solicitations will be available to state and local government agencies and private non-profit organizations to simplify food stamp application and eligibility systems and to small community and faith based organizations to conduct food stamp outreach. The grants are part of the Bush Administration's commitment to make it easier for the working poor, immigrants and elderly to access food stamp benefits. 

"Providing nutrition assistance to eligible families is a top priority for the Bush Administration," said Veneman. "Partnerships with state governments as well as private, non-profit groups including faith-based and community organizations helps give families needed nutrition assistance and builds on President Bush's commitment to improve services directed at reducing poverty and helping people in need. These grants also build on President Bush's commitment to increasing access to federal grants under his Faith Based and Community Initiative." 

In an effort to improve access to food stamp benefits by eligible households, 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. USDA intends to award at least $1 million out of the $5 million to a partnership between a State agency and one or more private non-profit organizations, including faith or community-based organizations. 

In a separate competition, FNS plans to award up to $1 million to private nonprofit organizations or public agencies other than Food Stamp state agencies to conduct food stamp outreach to potential food stamp participants. Grantees will implement community-based outreach strategies that educate people about the benefits of food stamps and show potential for positive impact on participation. USDA will encourage small community and faith-based organizations to participate in this competition. 

The Food Stamp Program, administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is the cornerstone of federal nutrition assistance programs and provides crucial support to working poor and needy households. The program serves more than 23 million people, and currently reaches about 60 percent of those who are eligible to receive benefits. 

"USDA's nutrition assistance programs are an important safety net for those in need," said Veneman. "These grants provide another opportunity to improve access for low-income Americans to a nutritious diet." 

Solicitations can be found online at http://www.grants.gov  or on the FNS website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp .

#