The following is provided from the USDA Food Nutrition Service web page. To find out more about the Commodity Supplemental Food Program please visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/csfp/
March 29, 2006
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Budget Request Questions and Answers
Question: What does the President’s budget request propose for the CSFP in FY 2007?
Answer:
The President’s FY 2007 budget request proposes to discontinue CSFP operations and transition eligible CSFP participants to other FNS nutrition assistance programs such as the Food Stamp Program (FSP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC Program). The CSFP is a relatively small program which operates in limited areas of 32 States, two Indian reservations, and the District of Columbia. In an era of fiscal constraint, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) faces a difficult challenge with regard to discretionary budget resources, and must ensure that those limited resources are targeted to those programs that are available to needy individuals and families, regardless of the communities in which they reside. If Congress adopts the budget request, we will work closely with CSFP State agencies to ensure that any negative effects on program participants are minimized and that they are transitioned as rapidly as possible to other nutrition assistance programs for which they are eligible.
Question: How will the transition plan work?
Answer:
On the Federal level, we will make $2 million available to Food Stamp State agencies in States operating the CSFP, to provide outreach and to assist individuals to enroll in the FSP. Elderly participants who are leaving the CSFP upon the termination of its funding and who are not already receiving Food Stamp Program (FSP) benefits will be eligible to receive a transitional benefit worth $20 per month ending in the first month following enrollment in the FSP under normal program rules, or six months, whichever occurs first. CSFP women, infants, and children participants who are eligible for WIC Program benefits will be referred to that program as appropriate.
Question: What will happen to any remaining CSFP commodity inventory?
Answer:
Remaining CSFP commodity inventory would be redonated for use in other nutrition assistance programs, such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Question: What will happen to commodities normally obtained under agriculture support programs for use in the CSFP?
Answer:
The USDA will continue to purchase such commodities in accordance with price and market support authorities. Commodities that would otherwise have been donated to the CSFP will in the future be donated for use in other nutrition assistance programs.