Nutrition Services Incentive

 

To improve the diets of the elderly and to increase the market for domestically produced foods acquired under surplus removal or price support operations.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Deleted 06/04/2005 (Program transfered to another agency)
Program Number
10.570
Federal Agency/Office
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
Formula Grants.
Program Accomplishments
During fiscal year 2001, the nutrition program for the elderly served approximately 252.4 million meals.
Authorization
Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, Section 311, 42 U.S.C. 3030a, Section 604, 42 U.S.C. 3057c; Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as amended, Section 4(a), 7 U.S.C. 612c note; Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, Section 416, 7 U.S.C. 1431; Food and Agriculture Act of 1965, as amended, Section 709, 7 U.S.C. 1446a-1.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Such State, Trust Territories and Federal agencies that are designated as distributing agencies by the Governor, legislature, or other authority may receive and distribute donated foods. Elderly nutrition programs that are funded under Title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 must apply to their State Agency on Aging for commodities or cash in lieu thereof; elderly nutrition programs for Indians on reservations that are funded under Title VI of the Older Americans Act must apply to FNS Regional Offices for food assistance after receiving approval from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Foods donated to nutrition programs for the elderly may be used for the benefit of all served. Persons age 60 or older, and their spouses (regardless of age) are eligible to receive congregate or home-delivered meals. Additional eligible persons include disabled or handicapped persons, not yet 60, who reside in housing facilities occupied primarily by the elderly and at which congregate meal service for the elderly is provided. Each area Agency on Aging shall establish procedures to offer a meal, on the same basis as meals are provided to participating older individuals, to individuals providing volunteer services during the meals hours. Individuals interested in participating should contact their State Office on Aging.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicant organizations must apply on forms furnished by the State Agency on Aging or by the FNS regional office. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A- 87.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
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. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102.
Application Procedure
All States now have distributing agencies, no applications necessary. Nutrition programs for the elderly must apply to State distributing agencies on their forms. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
Not applicable.
Deadlines
None.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Title III program agreements are renewed annually and Title VI agreement renewals vary from 1-3 years unless withdrawal is requested or required because of program irregularities.
How are proposals selected?
Not applicable.
How may assistance be used?
Food is made available for use in the preparation of congregate or home-delivered meals by nutrition programs for the elderly. Each provider may solicit voluntary contributions for meals furnished in accordance with guidelines established by the Commissioner, taking into consideration the income ranges of eligible individuals in local communities and other sources of income to the provider. However, each individual participant decides what he or she will contribute toward the cost of the meal; meals are free to eligible persons who do not make any contribution. Donated foods may not be sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of (authorized distribution excepted) without prior, specific approval of the Department.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Annual financial status report.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 "Audit of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations, " State and local governments, and non-profit organizations 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
Adequate to account for all receipts and dispositions; to be retained for 3 years following the close of the fiscal year.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu thereof for nutrition programs for the elderly are donated pursuant to section 311 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended. The current appropriation is divided by the percentage of meals served in the preceding year by each State and Indian tribal organization.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Food donations continuous.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
See Food and Nutrition Service Regional Offices listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Food Distribution Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone: (703) 305-2680. Contact: Les Johnson, Director.
Website Address
http://www.fns.usda.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3503-0-1-605.
Obligations
FY 02 $151,790,419; FY 03 est $150,414,641; and FY 04 est $000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
From $59,181 to $14,705,389 in FY 2001.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR 240, 250.
Examples of Funded Projects
Programs 93.045 and 93.047 Special Programs for the Aging relating to nutrition services and Indian programs respectively are examples of projects that have been funded under this program. Both of these programs supply supportive services including nutrition services to older Americans.