Sneak Preview: FNS Amends Rules for Food Distribution Programs
(The following was excerpted from a recent Thompson Grants Compliance Expert article.) The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), in a recent final rule, amended its regulations for several food distribution programs to expand participant eligibility, streamline requirements for program operators and improve parity between programs to improve nutritional assistance to disaster victims.
The rule, published in the Oct. 31 Federal Register, updates FNS’ regulations governing the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) (7 C.F.R. Part 247), Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) (7 C.F.R. Part 251), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) (7 C.F.R. Part 253) and Food Distribution Program for Indian Households in Oklahoma (2 C.F.R. Part 254). It also amends the agency’s emergency food donation and distribution (i.e., USDA Foods in Disasters) regulations (2 C.F.R. Part 250).
“This important change will [help] us to better serve the millions whose lives have been touched by recent disasters like hurricanes and wildfires,” said Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Cindy Long. “USDA is committed to doing all we can to help families and communities respond, recover and rebuild. This final rule is one more step toward getting eligible disaster victims the nutrition support they need, when they need it.”
The final rule stems from comments received in response to an August 2023 proposed rule seeking to make access and parity improvements to the regulations for these programs.
Most changes in the final rule take effect on Dec. 30, 2024. FNS, however, notes that provisions (1) establishing the administrative waiver authority in FDPIR, and (2) allowing households to receive both USDA Foods in Disasters assistance and D-SNAP benefits during a disaster became effective as of Oct. 31 “as they may be particularly helpful in responding to near-term program disruptions.”
(The full version of this story has now been made available to all for a limited time here.)
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