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Release No. FNS 0004-06

Susan Acker (703) 305-2281

PRESS STATEMENT
USDA Under Secretary Nancy Montanez Johner
 

November 21, 2006

The launch of the Illinois Express Food Stamps demonstration project today provides an opportunity for USDA and its partners to focus our attention on how best to provide nutrition assistance to those most in need as well as creative and innovative ways to provide high-quality services. Ensuring that all who are eligible know about nutrition assistance programs as well as other services and can access them with dignity and respect is a commitment I have made throughout my career and a commitment I share with Secretary Johanns and the President.

Partnerships, at all levels, are critical to the success of any endeavor. The Food Stamp Program, the first line of defense against hunger, now serves more than 26 million people each month-1.2 million of those individuals are served here in Illinois. The strength of our partnerships at all levels—States as well as faith and community-based organizations-has not only increased awareness of our programs but also has served as an impetus for the design of creative and innovative solutions to reach potential recipients. I’m so happy to be here to celebrate the spirit of collaboration, commitment and volunteerism that this project represents.

The federal nutrition assistance safety net plays a vital role in ensuring that low-income Americans—especially children- have access to healthy food and nutrition education at schools, day care facilities, and in their homes. Each year the President has requested full funding for the Food Stamp Program, the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the child nutrition programs. The budget also provides contingency funds for the Food Stamp Program and WIC, in the event that costs are greater than anticipated. Over the last four years, we have increased our nutrition assistance budget to $59 billion—an over 50% increase.

Our nutrition assistance programs touch the lives of 1 in every 5 Americans. Even with this reach we know that not everyone who is eligible is participating. Over half of USDA’s budget is devoted to nutrition assistance programs and we remain steadfast to our commitment to provide assistance to all who are eligible.

With the support of the President and Congress, we have strived to raise awareness of our program to reach eligible populations. Since 2001 we have served more participants in the nutrition assistance programs: over 6.6 million more low-income children and families received food stamps; 1 million more low-income children ate a free or reduced price lunch; 1.3 million more children ate a school breakfast; and nearly 700,000 more women, infants and children participated in the WIC program.

Promoting food security for all American communities is a challenge that requires the combined efforts of citizens, the private sector, and government at the local, State, and Federal levels.

 

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