USDA Invests $46M in Efforts to Address Food and Nutrition Security

FOOD TRENDS…

Investments provide funding to 20 CFPCGP projects, which bring together stakeholders from different sectors of the food system

DISCLAIMER E October 21, 2024

WASHINGTON – The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today [Oct. 18, 2024] investment of more than $46 million in projects aimed at addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in underserved communities, as well as supporting healthy diets by providing access to fruits and vegetables for eligible families.

These funds support initiatives across the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP).

“Healthy, safe and affordable food is important for a solid start for children and for the health of all of us,” said Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small. “Through this investment, the Biden Harris Administration is investing in healthy food for people regardless of where they live and supporting strong local and regional food systems.”

This investment provides funding to 20 CFPCGP projects, which bring together stakeholders from different sectors of the food system and promote understanding of national food security systems and how they can work together to improve local food systems. . This investment is expected to strengthen small-scale production agriculture, increase access to food in low-income communities, increase community engagement in designing food security solutions, and close gaps in local food systems.

Named in honor of former USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Agriculture and Foreign Agricultural Services (1997 to 2001) Gus Schumacher, GusNIP’s grant programs include Nutrition Incentives and Guidelines for Presentation. By bringing together stakeholders from different sectors of the food and health systems, GusNIP projects help to strengthen the understanding of improving the health and nutrition of the participating households, helping the growth of the community. and under-represented areas, and collect data to identify and improve best practices on a large scale. .

Fourteen awardees receive GusNIP Nutrition Incentive funds totaling $36.3 million. These programs increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the time of purchase among eligible households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and USDA’s Nutrition Assistance Program grants. Awards include Pilot Projects, Standard Projects and Largescale Projects.

Produce Prescription Awards for $5.2 million in 11 awards. These projects will demonstrate and evaluate the impact of prescriptions for fresh fruits and vegetables. The goals of the Promotion Program are to increase the purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce individual and household food insecurity, and reduce health care spending and related costs.

This investment responds to a call in the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, an expansion of the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health that aims to end hunger and increase food healthy ones.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans every day in many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, the USDA is transforming the American food system with a greater focus on local and regional food production, fair markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food. nutrition in all villages, building markets and new streams. of income for farmers and producers who use climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy in rural America, and committing to equity across the sector by remove administrative barriers and build a workforce that represents America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

– USDA