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Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

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Description

Provides monthly food packages to low-income households living on or near Indian reservations.
Participants may select from more than 70 products including: frozen beef and poultry, canned beef, poultry, and fish, canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups,
spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, pastas, cereals, rice, other grains, cheese,
egg mix, ultra-high temperature milk, nonfat dry milk, evaporated milk, flour, cornmeal,
reduced sodium crackers, low-fat refried beans, dried beans, and dehydrated potatoes.
Serves as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for households who may not have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores.
Provides USDA foods and funds for administrative costs to Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and state agencies administering the program. These agencies store and distribute the food, determine applicant eligibility, and provide nutrition education to recipients.

Background

FDPIR was established by the Food Stamp Act of 1977 and the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973.
The program developed from the Needy Family Program, which was the primary means of food assistance during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Participants

Food benefits are provided to approximately 271 Tribes, through 99 ITOs and five State agencies. The average monthly participation for Fiscal Year 2008 was about 90,000 individuals.
Participants are low-income American Indian and non-Indian households that live on a reservation. Also, low-income households living in authorized areas near a reservation or in Oklahoma that contain at least one person who is a member of a federally recognized tribe.
Households are certified based on income and resource standards set by the federal government and must be recertified at least every 12 months.

Budget

$77.5 million in FY 2007, including no less than $3 million for a special purchase of bison meat.
$88.5 million in FY 2008

Contact Information

For complete information, visit www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/fdpir  or contact your state agency at www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/fdpircontacts.htm

 

Last modified: January 2009