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Release No. 0087.04

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
Susan Acker (703) 305-2286

USDA Unveils Radio Messages for the "Food Stamps Make America Stronger" Campaign

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2004 - Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that English and Spanish language radio messages will begin airing this month as part of the "Food Stamps Make America Stronger" national media campaign. The radio messages highlight the nutrition assistance benefits available through the Food Stamp Program for low-income individuals, children and families.

"The Food Stamp Program provides a great opportunity to teach people about healthy eating," said Veneman. "The program serves more than 23 million people, which is about 60 percent of those who are eligible. The radio campaign will provide outreach to eligible families about the benefits available to them."

President Bush called for the extension of food stamp benefits in the FY 2003 budget proposal. The proposal, which became law as part of the 2002 Farm Bill, restored eligibility to many legal immigrants who had previously lost eligibility. Since then, USDA has conducted a variety of outreach activities, such as the national media campaign to increase awareness about the nutrition assistance benefits of the Food Stamp Program.

The radio messages are targeted to low-income working families, the elderly and legal immigrants. The messages will be aired in selected urban and rural markets nationwide in March, April, June and July 2004. In addition, Food Stamp Program messages also will be placed on subways, buses and bus shelters to complement the radio messages.

The Food Stamp Program is administered by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. It enables low-income families to buy nutritious food with Electronic Benefits Transfer cards. The Food Stamp Program provides crucial support to needy households and to those making the transition from welfare to work.

Further information about the Food Stamp Program and the "Food Stamps Make America Stronger" campaign is available at http://www.fns.usda.gov /.

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