Funding from the Recovery Act has expanded USDA's food and nutrition programs to help those workers and families hardest hit by the economic crisis. These programs will reduce hunger and improve the health and well-being of families across the country by offering access to healthy and nutritious food. They will stimulate the economy through increased spending on food and commodities - benefiting Americans working at food retailers, manufacturers and transportation companies as well as the farmers and ranchers who produce our food supply.
Nutrition Assistance Funding
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC $500,000*
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $19,842,000*
SNAP State Administrative Expenses $291,000*
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations $5,000*
National School Lunch Program Equipment $100,000*
The Emergency Food Assistance Program $150,000*
*Funding displayed in 1,000's
WASHINGTON, January 25, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of fourteen Recovery Act Broadband Infrastructure projects that will receive $309,923,352 through funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. An additional $3,551,887 in private investment brings the total to $313,475,239. Altogether, Congress awarded USDA $2.5 billion in Recovery Act funding to help bring broadband services to rural un-served and underserved communities.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children - $500,000,000
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will receive a total of $500 million in Recovery Act funds. WIC provides nutritious supplemental foods, nutrition education, and health and social service referrals at no charge to nearly 9 million low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women; and infants and children up to the age of 5 years. Of the total amount, $400 million has been provided to support participation should the Secretary determine that costs or participation exceed budget estimates. ARRA also provides $100 million to be used by WIC State agencies to establish, improve or administer management information systems (MIS) for WIC.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - $19,842,000,000
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive an increase of $20 billion over the next five years through the Recovery Act. Beginning April 1, 2009, benefits increased for all participating households. For example, four-person households received an $80 increase in their monthly allotment to help them purchase healthy food during these difficult economic times. SNAP is a powerful generator of economic activity, it is estimated that every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in total economic activity. And SNAP dollars are injected to the economy shortly after they are issued: 80% of all benefits are redeemed within two weeks of receipt, and 97% are spent within a month.
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SNAP State Administrative Expenses - $291,000,000
The Recovery Act provided approximately $290 million to the states over the next two years to ensure they can effectively manage increasing caseloads and help families struggling in these difficult economic times.
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Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations - $5,000,000
The Recovery Act is providing $5 million to the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) for facility improvements and equipment upgrades. FDPIR provides food to low-income households on Indian reservations, including elderly residents, and to Native American families residing in designated areas near reservations and in the State of Oklahoma. These funds will ensure that the program continues to serve those in need during these difficult economic times. Currently, there are 271 tribes receiving benefits under the FDPIR.
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National School Lunch Program Equipment - $100,000,000
The Recovery Act provides $100 million to help schools participating in the National School Lunch Program obtain food service equipment necessary to serve students safe, healthy meals. These investments will help ensure that students in communities hit hard by the economic downturn have access to the nutritious food they need to focus in class and do well in school. Funds are to be distributed to states which then make grants to school districts on a competitive basis, with priority given to equipment for schools where 50 percent or more of the students are eligible for free and reduced price meals.
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The Emergency Food Assistance Program - $150,000,000
The Recovery Act is providing $150 million in funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which acquires food to be distributed to local organizations that assist the needy - including food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens. Funding of $100 million will be used to purchase food and the remaining $50 million will assist with administrative costs. Food deliveries began in late May 2009 and will continue through the rest of the year.
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