Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (10.567)
Program
10.567 Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Federal Agency
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Authorization
Agricultural Act of 1949, Section 416, as amended, Section 32, Public Law 74-320, as amended; Food and Agriculture Act of 1963, Section 709, as amended; Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, Section 4(a), as amended; Food Stamp Act of 1977, Section 4, as amended, Section 1336, Public Law 97-98, as amended; Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193.
Program Number
10.567
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To improve the diets of needy persons in households on or near Indian reservations through the distribution of commodities.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants; Sale, Exchange, or Donation of Property and Goods.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Indian Tribal Organizations and State Distributing Agencies make food available for distribution to qualifying households. Households may not be charged. Donated foods may not be sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of (authorized distribution excepted) without prior, specific approval of the Department. FNS administrative funds must be expended to meet expenses incurred in operating the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. These funds may not be used to purchase real property (land or buildings).
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Authorized Indian Tribal Organizations and State agencies designated by the Governor, legislature, or other authority may receive and distribute donated foods. State agencies that administer the program are eligible to receive Federal cash assistance (administrative funds) to assist in meeting operating expenses incurred in administering the program. Indian Tribal Organizations may be their own State agency for the administration of the program on reservations if determined capable by FNS.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Households must be living on an Indian reservation, or be Indian households living in a designated area near an Indian reservation or in Indian country for Oklahoma and must be certified by local authorities as having inadequate income and resources. Upper limits of allowable income vary with family size. Household resources for all household sizes are set by FNS.
Credentials/Documentation
Households are individually certified by local administering offices based upon Federal eligibility standards. Administrative costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for administering agencies.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
State agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations that want to administer the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations must submit a completed Form SF-424 (application) to the appropriate FNS regional office in their area. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102, as implemented by 7 CFR part 3016, must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
Cash assistance is provided by the Department to State agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations for use in administering the program.
Deadlines
State agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations applying to administer the program must begin program operation within 120 days of FNS' determination that they are capable of administering the program. Extensions to this time frame may be granted if there is compelling justification.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Heads of households may appeal adverse or delayed decisions as the regulations provide.
Renewals
Program continues for the assigned certification period, unless withdrawal is requested or required because of program irregularities. Households are recertified periodically, depending on household circumstances. Household certification periods may not exceed one year.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable to food donations. Administrative expense funds are allocated on basis of need for funds. There is a 25 percent matching requirement except with compelling justification.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Food donations continuous; cash assistance released quarterly by the electronic transfer system to the Department of Treasury. Funds may be withdrawn as needed.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Financial, inventory, and participant data must be submitted in accordance with requirements established by the Department.
Audits
In accordance with the provision of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of States and Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," State and local governments, and non-profit organization that expend Federal financial assistance of $300,000 or more within any fiscal year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a program specific audit made for that year. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in A-133.
Records
Each State agency and Indian Tribal Organization shall maintain accurate and complete records of all receipts and dispositions. Records must be retained for 3 years following the close of the fiscal year or until any outstanding audit, claim or litigation is settled.
Program Accomplishments
The average monthly participation of needy persons in low-income households was 113,248 for fiscal year 2001; 96 Indian Tribal Organizations and six States administer the program for 235 Indian tribes. As of fiscal year 2001, 86 Indian Tribal organizations are approved for participation in the Fresh produce Program, by which participants may select fresh fruits and vegetables in lieu of canned fruits and vegetables. Additional sites are expected to join the project as they become capable. Prior to the pilot, only foods with a minimum shelf life of 6 months were available to participating households. In addition, FNS made changes to the food package that it provides to recipients in order to make it more nutritious and responsive to recipient needs.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3505-0-1-605.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $22,557,000; FY 03 est $22,557,000; and FY 04 est $26,121,000. (Food donations) FY 02 $56,943,000; FY 03 est $53,243,000; and FY 04 est $55,710,000. Bonus commodities may also be available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
From $79,031 to $4,937,577 in administrative funds for fiscal year 2001.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR 253; 7 CFR 254; 7 CFR 250.
Related Programs
10.550, Food Donation; 10.551, Food Stamps.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Food and Nutrition Service Regional Offices listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Les Johnson, Director, Food Distribution Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone: (703) 305-2680.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
