CSFP

Operators of a federal food program for seniors were in Dallas, TX the week of February 6th at the annual National Conference of a federal food program for low-income seniors, mothers and young children, when they learned that their nutrition program was eliminated in President Bush’s proposed FY2007 budget.  If the budget proposal is enacted some 500,000 needy families, especially seniors, will lose vital food support.  

At a time when the total number of people living in food insecure households in America went up to 38.2 million in 2004 (24.3 million adults and 13.9 million children), the President’s budget proposed elimination of a program which is especially designed to address the nutritional needs of a vulnerable, at-risk population.   

Currently, 4,136 Vermont residents receive nutritionally balanced “prescription“ food boxes each month from the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) containing meat, fruits, vegetables, cereal, milk, peanut butter, cheese and other nutritious foods.  A primary benefit of the food program is keeping low-income seniors (approximately 89% of program benefits go to low-income seniors) healthy and living independently through proper nutrition.  Many local volunteers in community and faith-based organizations are involved in assembling the food boxes each month and delivering the food to homebound seniors.

CSFP is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture.  Locally, the Vermont Foodbank distributes the CSFP to low-income people.

Deborah Flateman, Chef Executive Officer of the Vermont Foodbank is gravely concerned about the proposed elimination of CSFP, saying “It is inconceivable and counter institutive that the Administration could justify cutting low-income seniors, women and young children from a nutrition program they rely on to remain healthy, especially at a time when these families are also hard hit by rising health care, heating and transportation costs.  And with USDA reporting hunger and food insecurity at an all time, high cutting nutritious food assistance to low-income, vulnerable seniors, and families with young children is cruel.”

The Vermont Foodbank has vowed to work with local senior groups, food pantries, churches, farmers and other community groups to appeal to Congressional Members to protect the food program for seniors, women and young children.

For More Information, Contact:
Judy Stermer
jstermer@secondharvest.org
(802) 476-3341 Extension 108