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USDA’s Food and Consumer Service (FCS) provides three types of programs that benefit American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, or that are of special interest to American Indians.
FCS administers the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations for American Indian households living on or near certain reservations recognized by the Federal or State government.
FCS provides three programs that specifically mention Indian tribes, including the Food Stamp Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Special provisions of the law (or regulation in the case of CSFP) permit Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) to administer the program where appropriate. All low-income households, including American Indian households, may be eligible for food stamps, while low-income households with pregnant and postpartum women and their infants and young children may also be eligible for WIC or CSFP.
FCS provides several Child Nutrition Programs from which American Indians can benefit. These include the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Special Milk Program, and the Summer Food Service Program.
FCS administers the Food Distribution Program, which provides commodities to needy people in charitable institutions and contributes to the Nutrition Programs for the Elderly Program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (The program has a special Indian Tribal component.)
The Food Distribution Program also donates food to needy persons in declared areas through disaster relief agencies.
Nature and Purpose: FCS donates food to help meet the nutritional needs of low-income households on Indian reservations and American Indian households near these reservations. The program also helps to expand markets for food that American farmers produce. USDA commodities are distributed to eligible households on a monthly basis, usually from warehouse facilities located on reservations. Participating agencies are either eligible ITOs or agencies of State government. The distributing agents order food items from a list of approved USDA commodities, taking into account local American Indian household food preferences.
Participants also receive information about nutrition, food storage, sanitary food preparation methods, and suggestions for recipes using donated food from nutritionists, county extension agents, home economists, and other sources.
Eligibility Requirements:
Participating Agency Eligibility: Participating food distribution agencies at the State level or ITOs may apply to administer the program. Once the request is approved, the participating agency submits a State plan of operations.
Participant Eligibility: All households residing on an Indian reservation or American Indian households residing in designated service areas who meet income and resource eligibility criteria are eligible. The income standards used to determine FDPIR eligibility are based on Food Stamp Program net monthly income limits, plus the food stamp standard deduction.
Local Contacts: Currently, 215 Indian tribes operate FDPIR. The program is administered locally by 92 ITOs and 6 State distributing agencies. General information on FDPIR and a list of the agencies that operate FDPIR can be obtained from the Household Programs Branch, Food Distribution Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, Room 502, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone (703) 305-2662.
Printed Information Available: Printed information includes the regulations, 7 CFR 253, “Administration of the Food Distribution Program for Households on Indian Reservations”; 7 CFR 254, “Administration of the Food Distribution Program for Indian Households in Oklahoma”; and FCS Handbook 501, “The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.”
Authorizing Legislation: Section 4(b) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, and Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as amended.
Administering Agency: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.
Available Assistance: The FDPIR food package contains a wide variety of commodities that are issued to households according to guide rates based on household size.
Households also receive information about nutrition and health, and suggestions for making the most nutritious use of the commodity foods. A recipe book, “Quick and Easy Commodity Recipes for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations,” has been available since 1990.
Technical assistance to ITOs and State agencies administering the program is available from FCS Regional Offices. Administrative costs are provided by FCS at no more than 75 percent of approved administrative costs unless exceptions are granted.
Use Restrictions: Food is made available without charge to qualified households. Donated foods are not to be sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of without prior, specific approval of the Department. Funds provided must be expended to assist in meeting operating expenses incurred in administering food distribution programs. These funds may not be used to purchase real property (land and buildings).
Appropriations for FY 1997 by USDA: $66.1 million provided under the Food Stamp Program account.
Washington Contacts: Les Johnson, Director, Food Distribution Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, Room 503, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Related Programs: Food Stamp Program.
Nature and Purpose: The present Food Stamp Program (Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended) helps low-income households buy more food for a more nutritious diet. It is a cooperative Federal-State effort to provide an allotment of food coupons to eligible households in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the outlying Territories of the Virgin Islands and Guam.
Eligibility Requirements:
Agency Eligibility: State agencies request the program from FCS. All States currently participate. The State agency is responsible for conducting the Food Stamp Program in each State. The State agency is also responsible for conducting the Food Stamp Program on Indian reservations unless the Secretary of Agriculture determines that a State is failing to properly administer the program. If such failure on the part of the State is determined, and if the Secretary also determines that an ITO is capable of operating an efficient and effective program, then the ITO may be allowed to administer the program.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Eligibility is based on household income, household size, and level of resources. In addition to financial criteria, the household must meet several nonfinancial standards that include citizenship or legal alien status, work registration, etc.
How To Apply: Households apply through their local food stamp certification office. This office provides an application for the Food Stamp Program to any person upon request, and must accept an identifiable application on the same day that contact is first made. The certification office must determine eligibility within 30 days and, if approved, the household receives an allotment retroactive to the date of application. Expedited service is available for households determined to be destitute.
Whom To Contact: On the national level, contact the Deputy Administrator, Food Stamp Program, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. Refer to the list at the end of this chapter for regional contacts.
Printed Information Available: Printed information may be obtained from the Director, Office of Public Information, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Authorizing Legislation: The Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2011-2036.
Available Assistance: Direct payments of food coupons for specified use, at no charge to beneficiaries. Participating households can use the food coupons to purchase the following items at participating retailers:
Food stamps in Alaska may be used by certain eligible households to purchase some kinds of equipment such as fish hooks and harpoons for procuring food by hunting and fishing.
Use Restrictions: Coupons may be used by beneficiaries only to purchase food items in authorized food stores. However, except in the cases listed above, meals or hot food may not be purchased; nonfood items, including alcoholic beverages, household materials, or tobacco, may not be purchased with food stamps.
Appropriations for FY 1997: $26.3 billion.
Washington Contacts: Deputy Administrator, Food Stamp Program, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Local Contacts: See list below for regional contacts.
Related Programs: Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Needy Family Food Distribution Program, Child Nutrition Programs, WIC, Public and Non-Public Assistance Programs, and Supplemental Security Income Program.
Nature and Purpose: The program provides specific supplemental food, nutrition education, and health care referrals to low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5, who are determined by a competent professional authority to be at nutritional risk.
Eligibility Requirements:
Agency Eligibility: WIC is administered by State health departments. In addition, ITOs, bands, groups, or their authorized representatives recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, or the appropriate area office of the Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, may also serve as WIC State agencies. Thirty-three Indian State agencies are currently operating WIC Programs. Additionally, other States are serving American Indians and Alaska Natives as part of their own administration of the program.
Beneficiary Eligibility: There are three eligibility criteria for categorically eligible persons:
How To Apply:
Whom To Contact: On the national level, contact the Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Consumer Service, Special Nutrition Program, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 540, Alexandria, VA 22302; telephone (703) 305-2730. Refer to the list at the end of this chapter for regional offices or contact the State health department.
Printed Information Available: Numerous publications are available which provide general program information and discuss such topics as nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding, and retailer education. Materials should be requested at the National Office, listed above under “Whom To Contact.”
Video Available: FCS developed a video on prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome specifically for American Indian and Alaska Native WIC participants. The video, called “Sacred Trust--Protect Your Baby Against Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,” won the Council on International Non-Theatrical Events and Cinema in Industry award. The video is available at the National Office, listed above under “Whom To Contact.”
Authorizing Legislation: Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended. (42 U.S.C. 1786.)
Administering Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Service.
Available Assistance: See above.
Use Restrictions: None.
Appropriations for FY 1997: $3.7 billion.
Nature and Purpose: The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers, infants, children, and elderly people. It provides USDA food and funds to States to supplement the diets of low-income infants; children up to the age of 6; pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women; and persons 60 years of age or older.
CSFP serves a population similar to that served by USDA’s WIC Program, but CSFP provides food rather than the food vouchers that WIC participants receive. CSFP operates in some areas where WIC is not available. Eligible people cannot participate in both programs at the same time.
Eligibility Requirements: State agencies set the eligibility standards for participants and distribute the food to public and nonprofit private local agencies. Women, infants, and children must be eligible for benefits under another Federal, State, or local food, health, or welfare program for low-income people.
Elderly people must have an annual gross income at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (currently $13,793 for a family of two).
States may establish a residency requirement, but cannot establish a minimum duration of residency. States may also set a requirement that participants be at nutritional risk. That assessment can be based on a variety of measures, including height and weight measurements and blood tests. Examples of nutritional risk conditions include anemia and inappropriate weight for height.
Local Contacts: CSFP operates in 19 States (including the District of Columbia) through programs run by 68 local agencies and two ITOs. A list of State and local agencies that operate CSFP can be obtained from the Household Programs Branch, Food Distribution Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, Room 502, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302, telephone (703) 305-2662.
Printed Information Available: CFSP regulations at 7 CFR 247, “Commodity Supplemental Food Program.”
Authorizing Legislation: Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as amended.
Administering Agency: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.
Available Assistance: Food packages geared to different categories of participants; nutrition education; and referrals to health care and to other welfare and health care programs, such as food stamps, Medicaid, and Medicare.
Use Restrictions: Food is made available for distribution without charge to qualified participants. Donated foods are not to be sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of without prior, specific approval of the Department. Funds provided must be expended to assist in meeting operating expenses incurred in administering CSFP.
Appropriations for FY 1997 by USDA: $76 million.
Washington Contacts: Les Johnson, Director, Food Distribution Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, Room 503, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Related Programs: USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Nature and Purpose: The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) makes nutritious low-cost lunches available to children in schools of high school grade or under. USDA provides participating schools with basic cash and commodity assistance for each lunch served in accordance with prescribed nutritional standards. Additional cash assistance is provided for each of those lunches served free or at a reduced price to needy children. Cash assistance is also available for meal supplements served in after-school care programs operated by certain schools.
Eligibility Requirements:
Agency Eligibility: State agencies request the program from FCS. The State agency is responsible for conducting the program. State agencies administer the program in schools through school food authorities, that is, the governing body of participating schools at the local level. Schools eligible to participate include schools of high school grade or under and residential child care institutions which operate under public or nonprofit private ownership.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Participating schools receive USDA basic cash and commodity assistance for each lunch served under the program. This assistance is used to lower the price for each meal served to non-needy schoolchildren. Participating schools also receive additional cash assistance for each meal served free or at a reduced price to children from low-income families that meet specified income standards.
How To Apply: At the beginning of each school year all children are given an application form in schools which have the NSLP. During the school year, families interested in free or reduced-price lunches for their children must contact their child's school to request an application for free and reduced-price meals. The application must be completed and returned to the school in order for school officials to make an eligibility determination. Families may apply for free or reduced-price lunches at any time during the school year. At local option, schools may directly contact food stamp or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program offices to certify children who are members of food stamp (and, in some circumstances, TANF) households. Such children become eligible for free meals without further application.
Whom To Contact: A list of regional offices is provided at the end of this section. On the national level, contact the Child Nutrition Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Printed Information Available: Publications concerning the program may be obtained from the Child Nutrition Division (address listed above) or regional offices listed below.
Authorizing Legislation: The National School Lunch Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1751, et seq.)
Administering Agency: USDA’s Food and Consumer Service.
Available Assistance: Low-cost lunches and supplements are made available to non-needy children and free or reduced-price lunches and supplements are made available to needy children. Lunches are designed to provide, over a school week, one-third of the recommended dietary allowance as published by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, and one-third of the calories needed by growing children. They must also comply with the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Menu planners may use several types of meal planning alternatives to meet these nutrition goals. Meal supplements are available to children enrolled in after-school-hours care programs in schools that operate school lunch programs under the NSLP and were participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program as of May 15, 1989. The supplement pattern includes any two of the items required for school lunches.
Team Nutrition is the nutrition education component of the program available to schools. It is a multifaceted educational program delivered in schools, through the media, at home, and in the community to motivate and empower children to make food choices for a healthy diet. This effort brings science-based nutrition messages to children in fun and interesting ways in a language they understand, while strengthening social support for children’s healthful food choices among parents, educators, and food service professionals.
Use Restrictions: Per meal Federal reimbursement and commodity assistance are available for NSLP lunches served to schoolchildren in participating schools. Lunches served to adults may not be claimed for reimbursement. Lunches served to schoolchildren which do not meet the requirements of program regulations (7 CFR Parts 210 and 245) may not be claimed for reimbursement. Donated commodities are made available for use in connection with the service of NSLP lunches. Per meal Federal reimbursement is also available for supplements served to eligible children.
Appropriation for FY 1997: $5.2 million, plus $700 million for commodity purchases.
Washington Contact: Director, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1006, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Local Contacts: For information on participating State agencies contact the appropriate regional office listed at the end of this section.
Related Programs: School Breakfast Program and Special Milk Program.
Nature and Purpose: The School Breakfast Program (SBP) makes nutritious low-cost breakfasts available to children in schools of high school grade or under. USDA provides participating schools with basic cash assistance for breakfasts served to non-needy children who meet prescribed nutritional standards. A higher level of cash assistance is provided for each breakfast that meets prescribed nutritional standards and is served free or at a reduced price to needy children.
Eligibility Requirements:
Agency Eligibility: State agencies request the program from USDA, FCS. The State agency is responsible for conducting the program in schools through school food authorities, i.e., the governing body of participating schools at the local level. Schools eligible to participate include those of high school grade or under and residential child care institutions that operate under public or nonprofit private ownership.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Participating schools receive USDA basic cash assistance for each breakfast served under the program. This assistance is used to lower the price of breakfast paid by non-needy schoolchildren. Participating schools receive a higher level of cash assistance for each breakfast served free or at a reduced price to children from low-income families that meet specified income standards.
How To Apply: At the beginning of each school year, all schoolchildren in schools which have the SBP are given an application form. During the school year, families interested in free or reduced-price breakfasts for their children should contact their child's school to request an application for free or reduced-price meals. The application must be completed and returned to the school in order for school officials to make an eligibility determination. Families may apply for free or reduced-price breakfasts at any time during the school year. At local option, schools may directly contact food stamp or TANF offices to certify children who are members of food stamp (and, in some circumstances, TANF) households. Such children become eligible for free meals without further application.
Whom To Contact: A list of regional offices appears at the end of this chapter. On the national level, contact the Child Nutrition Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Printed Information Available: Publications concerning the program may be obtained from the Child Nutrition Division, at the address listed in the preceding paragraph or at the regional offices listed below.
Authorizing Legislation: The Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended. (42 U.S.C.1773)
Administering Agency: USDA’s Food and Consumer Service.
Available Assistance: Low-cost breakfasts are made available to non-needy children, and free or reduced-price breakfasts are made available to needy children. Breakfasts are designed to provide, over a school week, one-fourth of the recommended dietary allowances as published by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, and one-fourth of the calories needed by growing children. They must also comply with the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Menu planners may choose from four meal planning alternatives to meet these nutrition goals.
Use Restrictions: Per meal Federal reimbursement is available for SBP breakfasts served to schoolchildren in participating schools. Breakfasts served to adults may not be claimed for reimbursement. Breakfasts served to schoolchildren who do not meet the requirements of program regulations (7 CFR Parts 220 and 245) may not be claimed for reimbursements.
Appropriations: FY 1997: $1.2 billion.
Regional Offices: See list at the end of this section.
Nature and Purpose: The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides cash and commodities to licensed or approved day care centers for children or for functionally impaired and elderly adults, and to sponsor organizations of family day care homes for children, so that nutritious meals may be served to enrollees. Child care centers, sponsors of family day care homes for children, outside-school-hours care centers for children, and certain adult care centers can receive this aid if they are public or private nonprofit and nonresidential. In addition, private for-profit child care centers and homes receiving compensation under Title XX of the Social Security Act for at least 25 percent of their enrolled participants or licensed capacity may participate, as can for-profit adult day care centers receiving compensation under Titles XIX and XX for at least 25 percent of their enrollees. The goal of the program is to provide well-balanced meals to improve the diets of enrollees. It also gives participants the opportunity to eat and enjoy a variety of nutritious foods.
Eligibility Requirements:
Agency Eligibility: State agencies desiring to take part in the program enter into a written agreement with FCS (acting on behalf of the Department) for the administration of the program in that State in accordance with provisions of the CACFP regulations (7 CFR Part 226).
Institution Eligibility: All private centers and sponsoring organizations (except for-profit Title XIX or Title XX organizations) must have tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or must have applied to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for it at the time they apply for the CACFP. Family day care homes are not required to be tax-exempt, but their sponsoring organizations are. Local IRS offices can provide information on how to obtain tax-exempt status.
How To Apply: Interested institutions can obtain applications from the State agency and submit all information required for approval. The institutions are required to sign a program agreement or renew the previous agreement and accept final responsibility for the financial and administrative management of an effective food service. In addition, each State agency and institution must comply with all requirements in the CACFP regulations (7 CFR Part 226), the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Agriculture Department's nondiscrimination regulations (7 CFR Part 15) as now existing or later amended.
Whom To Contact: Persons desiring information concerning the program may write to the appropriate State agency or regional office of the FCS.
Printed Information Available: USDA offers numerous publications, guides, posters, charts, and handbooks which provide specific and general program information to help in planning and preparing nutritious meals. Contact the appropriate State agency or regional office.
Authorizing Legislation: The CACFP is authorized by Section 17 of the National School Lunch Act, as amended. (42 U.S.C. 1766)
Administering Agency: In most States, the responsibility for administering the program is with the State, by the State department of education or an alternate agency designated by the State. In Virginia, FCS’ Mid-Atlantic Regional Office operates the program directly. Refer to the list of regional offices.
Available Assistance: Federal funding is made available to assist States to make program payments to participating centers and sponsoring organizations.
Use Restrictions: The program is available to children 12 years of age and younger; persons with mental or physical disabilities as defined by the State, who are enrolled in an institution or a child care facility serving a majority of persons 18 years of age and under; and children of migrant workers up to the age of 16. The program is also available to centers providing care to persons over 60 years of age or individuals determined by State and local agencies to be "functionally impaired" who are not residents of an institution. Eligibility requirements vary for different kinds of institutions. To find out these requirements, refer to the State agency or regional offices.
Appropriation for FY 1997: $1.6 billion.
Washington Contact: Director, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Consumer Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1006, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Local Contacts: See list of regional offices at the end of this section.
Related Programs: Other Child Nutrition Programs; Food Distribution Program; Food Stamp Program; and Women, Infants, and Children Program.
Nature and Purpose: The Special Milk Program (SMP) encourages consumption of fluid milk by children by reimbursing participating schools and institutions for part of the cost of each half pint served under the program.
Eligibility Requirements:
Agency Eligibility: State agencies request the program from USDA, FCS. The State agency is responsible for conducting the program. State agencies administer the program in schools through school food authorities, i.e., the governing body of participating schools at the local level and in child care institutions. This program is limited to schools and certain other public or private nonprofit institutions that do not participate in another meal service program authorized under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, or the National School Lunch Act, as amended, except that schools with such meal services may participate in the Special Milk Program for children attending split-session kindergarten programs who do not have access to the meal service.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Participating schools and institutions receive a fixed rate of Federal cash assistance for each half pint of milk served under the program. This assistance is used to make low-cost milk available to all schoolchildren regardless of family income. Participating schools may elect to offer milk free to children from low-income families that meet specified income standards. In this case, schools and institutions receive the actual cost of each pint of milk served free to children from low-income families meeting the specified income standard.
How To Apply: When local officials elect to provide free milk to eligible children at the beginning of each school year, all schoolchildren are given an application form in schools and institutions participating in the SMP. During the school year, families interested in free milk for their children should contact each child's school or institution to request an application for free milk. The application must be completed and returned to the school or institution in order for the officials to make an eligibility determination. Families may apply for free milk at any time during the school year. At local option, schools may directly contact food stamp or TANF offices to certify children who are members of food stamp (and, in some circumstances, TANF) households. Such children become eligible for free meals without further application.
Whom To Contact: A list of regional offices appears at the end of this chapter. On the national level, contact the Child Nutrition Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Printed Information Available: Publications concerning the program may be obtained from the Child Nutrition Division, same address as listed above, or use the appropriate regional office.
Authorizing Legislation: Section 3 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended. (42 U.S.C. 1772)
Administering Agency: USDA’s Food and Consumer Service.
Available Assistance: Schools and institutions may elect (a) to offer low-cost milk to all schoolchildren, or (b) to offer low-cost milk to non-needy children and free milk to eligible needy children. Participating schools and institutions receive a fixed rate of Federal cash assistance for each half pint of milk served under the program to a paying child. For each free milk served to eligible children, schools and institutions receive reimbursements equal to the average cost of free milk served, up to the maximum reimbursement rate. In order to receive USDA reimbursement, schools and institutions must provide a half pint of pasteurized fluid milk meeting State and local standards for such milk.
Use Restrictions: USDA reimbursement is available for each half pint of milk served to children in participating schools and institutions. Milk served to adults may not be claimed for reimbursement. Milk served to children must meet the requirements for the service of such milk as established in 7 CFR Parts 215 and 245.
Appropriations: FY 1997: $19.2 million.
Regional Offices: See list below.
Nature and Purpose: The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides cash assistance to sponsoring organizations to help provide meals comparable to those served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to children from areas in which poor economic conditions exist when area schools are closed for vacation. Eligible sponsors include public and private nonprofit school food authorities; summer camps, and colleges or universities in the National Youth Sports Program; local, county, municipal, or State governmental units; and private nonprofit organizations that meet specific criteria as defined in SFSP regulations (7 CFR Part 225).
Sponsors may operate one or more food service programs at "open area-eligible" sites in areas where at least 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals based on school or census tract data; at "enrolled area-eligible" sites where at least 50 percent of the enrolled children are individually determined to be eligible for such meals; at "homeless feeding sites"; or at camps. Regular sites may serve up to two reimbursable meals each day: lunch and snack, or lunch and breakfast; while camps and sites serving children of migrant workers can serve up to three meals: breakfast, lunch or supper, and snack. Sponsors may choose to prepare meals on-site or at a central kitchen, or they may contract to purchase prepared unitized meals from a school food authority or commercial food service management company.
Eligibility Requirements:
Agency Eligibility: State agencies desiring to take part in the program enter into a written agreement with FCS (acting on behalf of the Department) for the administration of the program in that State in accordance with provisions of the SFSP regulations (7 CFR Part 225). The written agreement contains several specific provisions, one of which is an assurance that both the State agency and the sponsor comply with the Department's nondiscrimination regulations (7 CFR Part 15) as now existing or later amended, and any instructions issued by FCS pursuant to those regulations.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Eligibility in the SFSP is based on "areas" in which poor economic conditions exist. Within the structure of "areas," the sponsor must document that the local area from which the site draws its attendance has at least 50 percent of the children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs based on school or census tract data. Or, for sponsors of an enrollment program, the sponsor must collect family size and income information from children enrolled in the program at the site. This information must document that, at a minimum, 50 percent of the children enrolled at each specific site are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Sponsors of camps are reimbursed only for those meals served to enrollees in camps whose eligibility for free or reduced-price meals are documented, while at "enrolled" sites, sponsors are reimbursed for meals served to all enrolled attendees. Sites feeding primarily homeless children are eligible without regard to "area" or "individual child" considerations.
How To Apply: All applicant sponsors must submit a complete application for program participation to the administering agency by June 15. However, the State agency may establish an earlier deadline date for program application submission. The applicant sponsor must meet the "area" of eligibility and the "sponsor" eligibility requirements in accordance with the current SFSP regulations. In addition, within 30 days of receiving a complete and correct application, the State agency must notify the applicant of its approval or disapproval.
Whom To Contact: Persons desiring information concerning the program may write the appropriate State agency or regional office of the FCS as indicated below.
Printed Information Available: Numerous publications and handbooks are available which provide specific and general program information to help in planning and preparing nutritious meals. Contact the appropriate State agencies or regional offices.
Authorizing Legislation: The SFSP is authorized by Section 13 of the National School Lunch Act, as amended. (42 U.S.C.1761)
Administering Agency: In most States, the responsibility for administering the program is within the State by the State department of education. Where States do not administer the program, FCS regional offices operate it directly. Refer to the list of regional offices indicated below.
Available Assistance: Federal funding is made available to children (as defined by the SFSP regulation) 18 years of age and younger. Persons over 18 who have mental or physical disabilities and participate in a public or nonprofit private school program designed especially for them are also eligible to participate.
Appropriations: For FY 1997, $250 million.
Washington Contact: Director, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Consumer Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1006, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Local Contacts: Refer to list of regional offices below.
Related Programs: Other Child Nutrition Programs; Food Distribution Program; Food Stamp Program; and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program.
Nature, and Purpose: This program serves elderly American Indians and Alaska Natives who participate in the nutrition and social services program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), by providing nutritious meals for elderly American Indians. These meals are provided in community centers for the elderly and consist of well-balanced hot or cold meals at least once a day, 5 or more days a week. Meals are delivered to elderly homebound individuals.
Eligibility Requirements: There must be at least 50 people in a specific Indian tribe aged 60 or over. When this requirement has been met, the Indian tribe must apply for a grant approved by HHS. After a grant has been approved by HHS, each qualified Indian tribe can set its own age limits for eligibility (usually between 50 and 60 years of age).
While each provider of nutrition services suggests an appropriate monetary contribution based on local economic conditions, each person decides what he/she can contribute toward the cost of the meal. Contributions are strictly voluntary and the meals are free of charge to eligible persons if they cannot make any contributions.
How To Apply: Interested tribal organizations must first submit an application to HHS. Once it is approved, the eligible tribal organization may request USDA assistance in the form of cash or commodities, from the appropriate FCS regional office. Currently, 150 Indian Tribal agencies are participating in this program.
Whom To Contact: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, Washington, DC, and all State agencies on aging.
Printed Information Available: FCS Brochure 223, "The Nutrition Program for the Elderly."
Authorizing Legislation: Section 601 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended.
Administering Agency: Administration on Aging, HHS.
Available Assistance: Food commodities or cash reimbursements for meals. Nutrition services in community centers, meals at least 5 days each week, transportation to and from the meal sites, and delivered meals for the homebound. Social and referral services.
Use Restrictions: USDA funds must be used for meals supplied by the program, and the commodities cannot be exchanged, sold, or transferred.
Appropriations for FY 1997 by USDA: $140 million.
Washington Contacts: Administration on Aging, HHS, Washington, DC.
Cooperating Agency: Food Distribution Division, Food and Consumer Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
Local Contacts: Refer to the Administration on Aging, HHS.
Related Programs: USDA Food Distribution Programs (The Emergency Food Assistance Program, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and Commodity Supplemental Food Program), Food Stamp Program.
Regional Administrator, Northeast Regional Office, Food and Consumer Service, 10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222-1068, Phone: (617) 565-6395 Fax: (617) 565-6472. Covers: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont.
Regional Administrator, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, Food and Consumer Service, Mercer Corporate Park, 300 Corporate Boulevard, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1518, Phone: (609) 259-5091 Fax: (609) 259-5147. Covers: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia.
Regional Administrator, Southeast Regional Office, Food and Consumer Service, 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 112, Atlanta, GA 30303-3415, Phone: (404) 562-1812 Fax: (404) 527-4502. Covers: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.
Regional Administrator, Midwest Regional Office, Food and Consumer Service, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-3507, Phone: (312) 353-1044 Fax: (312) 353-0171. Covers: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin.
Regional Administrator, Mountain Plains Regional Office, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 903, Denver, CO 80204-3585. Phone: (303) 844-0312 Fax: (303) 844-6203. Covers: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming.
Regional Administrator, Southwest Regional Office, Food and Consumer Service, 1100 Commerce Street, Room 5-C-30, Dallas, TX 75242-0222. Phone: (214) 290-9802 Fax: (214) 767-6249. Covers: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.
Regional Administrator, Western Regional Office, Food and Consumer Service, 550 Kearney Street , Room 400, San Francisco, CA 94108-2518. Phone: (415) 705-1311 Fax: (415) 705-1364 Covers: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam.
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