Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced a 23% increase, or $1.86 million in annual nutrition assistance for American Samoa. In fiscal year 2022, which starts Oct. 1, 2021, the territory will receive $10.047 million grant for the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP). In fiscal year 2021, American Samoa received $8.185 million for NAP.
Through the years, Americans struggling to put food on their table have relied on USDA’s nutrition assistance programs. They are among the most far-reaching, powerful tools available to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, have access to healthy, affordable food.
Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services reports, “To set SNAP families up for success, we need a Thrifty Food Plan that supports current dietary guidance on a budget,”. “Too many of our fellow Americans struggle to afford healthy meals. The revised plan is one step toward getting them the support they need to feed their families.”
Benefits amounted to $121 per person before the COVID-19 pandemic, now to increase by $36.24 per person, which will be $157.24 monthly. Forty million Americans about 12% of the total U.S. population utilize the SNAP program.
