The U.S. Department of Agriculture invested $59.4 million to improve access to healthy food through Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program’s Produce Prescription and Nutrition Incentive programs.
According to a Nov. 22 news release, GusNIP initiatives work to enhance fresh produce consumption, boost food security for both individuals and households and lower health care utilization and related expenditures. GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Programs offer incentives at the point of purchase to consumers who are income-qualified for SNAP and other USDA nutrition assistance programs. Produce Prescriptions uses medical assistance programs to issue fresh fruit and vegetable "prescriptions" from a doctor.
“Since its creation in 2019, GusNIP projects have increased access to healthy foods, and this investment serves to ensure that even more consumers can provide fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables for their families,” Acting Director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Dr. Dionne Toombs said in the release. “In fact, as a result of additional funding provided through the American Rescue Plan Act, NIFA is expanding our reach to many first-time program applicants from underrepresented communities nationwide.”
According to the release, USDA’s investment fulfills a pledge made in the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health of the Biden-Harris administration to make nutritious food more accessible for everyone.
Crossroads Community Food Network, which is working to expand affordable access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads community near Washington, D.C., is one of numerous projects that will benefit from the funding, the release reported.
“Partners such as Crossroads Community Food Network Inc., are invaluable for USDA’s nutrition security efforts,” USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young said in the release. “By understanding the lived experiences of their community, they help deliver USDA programs into the hands of the people who need them most.”
