USDA Survey Calls for Food Distribution Program Improvements

For many individuals, getting a meal may be as easy as going out to a local restaurant or grocery store. However, for those that are impoverished, elderly and homebound, meeting nutritional needs is not quite as simple.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a report conducted by KEN Consulting Inc. on the challenges facing the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), particularly in serving adults 60 years and older and individuals with an inability to leave home without help from another person. FDPIR as a supplemental food program that provides monthly food packages to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations and Native American households residing in designated areas near reservations or in Oklahoma.

USDA assessed responses from 95 surveyed FDPIR administering agencies, covering topics such as outreach approaches, food distribution options, challenges that agencies face and staff recommendations for improving program access among older adults. FDPIR agencies use various strategies to provide flexible service to those who need the program.

Among the key challenges facing these agencies include limited funding for staffing and home delivery resources; difficulty implement required certification process; challenges reaching remote reservation areas and available food package options.

FDPIR operators offered recommendations to help improve the program. These included: (1) making changes to the program policies and practices, particularly regarding criteria, simplifying certification processes and expanding service areas; (2) adding financial resources for home delivery, staffing and increasing financial benefits for participants to cover non-food essential items and services; and (3) making changes to the FDPIR food options, including healthier options and easy-to-open food packaging for physically challenged groups.

USDA noted that this feedback “will be useful going forward as USDA works to increase participation by eligible individuals and encourage expanded outreach to the target groups. These kinds of on-the-ground observations are critical to the future program improvements."

We encourage USDA to do all it can to make this program as successful as possible.

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