The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment exceeding $46 million to combat food and nutrition insecurity in underserved communities. This initiative also aims to promote healthy diets by enhancing access to fruits and vegetables for eligible families.
The funding will support projects under the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP).
“Healthy, safe, and affordable food is essential for a strong start for children and a healthy life for all of us,” stated Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small. “Through these investments, the Biden Harris Administration is investing in healthy food options for people no matter where they live and supporting stronger local and regional food systems.”
The investment will fund 20 CFPCGP projects that aim to unite various stakeholders within the food system. These projects are expected to enhance small-scale agriculture, increase food access in low-income areas, boost community involvement in planning food security solutions, and address gaps in local food systems.
Named after former USDA Under Secretary Gus Schumacher, GusNIP grant programs include Nutrition Incentives and Produce Prescriptions. These initiatives aim to improve health outcomes by fostering collaboration among stakeholders from different sectors of the food and healthcare systems.
Fourteen recipients will receive GusNIP Nutrition Incentive funding totaling $36.3 million. These funds will be used to encourage fruit and vegetable purchases among income-eligible households participating in USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The awards cover Pilot Projects, Standard Projects, and Large-scale Projects.
Additionally, Produce Prescription awards amounting to $5.2 million have been allocated to 11 recipients. These projects aim to assess the impact of prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables on increasing their consumption while reducing household food insecurity.
These investments align with the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities as part of the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
The USDA plays a crucial role in American lives daily through various initiatives under the Biden-Harris Administration aimed at transforming America’s food system into one that is more resilient with fairer markets for producers while ensuring equitable access to nutritious foods across communities.
For further information about these initiatives or other USDA programs visit www.usda.gov.
