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3/24/2015
Are you Ready?
2015 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference
FNS Office of Emergency
Management
How to Prevent Economic and Climate
Disasters From Wrecking Client Food Stability
FNS Programs and Services
Mission Statement: To increase food security and reduce hunger by
providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet
and nutrition education in a way that supports American agriculture and
inspires public confidence.
• 15 domestic Nutrition Assistance Programs
• Serving 1 to 4 Americans each Year
• Over $103 Billion budget (represents 60% of the
entire USDA budget)
• Part of ESF-11 and support to ESF-6
Disaster Food Authorities Food Assistance
USDA Foods:
 USDA Foods ‐‐ INITIAL RESPONSE
•
•
Congregate feeding
Household distribution in special circumstances
 Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D‐SNAP)  Administrative Flexibilities in other FNS programs (WIC/CNP)
• A Presidentially declared disaster or emergency
(Stafford Act)
•
• An “FNS” declared situation of distress, CFR 250.43
provides authority to respond to commodity food
assistance needs (annual appropriation)
D-SNAP:
• Requires a Presidentially declared disaster that
includes assistance to individuals (Stafford Act)
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USDA Foods in Disasters
Benefits of USDA Foods
• What are USDA Foods?
Foods that are purchased by USDA from American farmers, dairymen, ranchers, and fishermen to support nutrition assistance programs and American agriculture.
• Sources of USDA Foods Used in Disaster Feeding:
• Child Nutrition Programs (National School Lunch, Child & Adult Care, Summer Food Service) • The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
 Quality and safety standards
 100% domestic
 Nutrition standards
 Flexibility and versatility
 Same as commercial products
 No Cost for USDA Foods and transportation
CommonlyOrderedUSDAFoods
Limitations of USDA Foods
• No prepositioned disaster warehouses
• Inventory varies depending on availability of products and nutrition program demands
• Disaster Orgs submit applications to State Distributing Agency for use of USDA Foods for disaster feeding – can be done in advance: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/foo
d‐distribution‐contacts
Institutional
(NSLP)
FRESH: (as
available)
Fruits and/or
vegetables
PROTEIN OPTIONS:
Beef Crumbles
Chicken Fajita
Strips
Turkey Taco Filling
Deli Turkey Breast
Diced Chicken
Diced/Sliced Ham
Cheese
(shredded/sliced)
* CUSI - Infant formula /Baby food – Can
supplement FEMA Infant/Toddler Kits
What Starts the Process?
Disaster Feeding Organizations Request USDA Foods through the State:
•
•
•
•
American Red Cross
Salvation Army
Southern Baptist Men
Other Approved Orgs
In the early stages of a disaster, short‐shelf life meals, and other “quick” foods are usually preferred over USDA Foods.
Household
(TEFAP, FDPIR, CSFP)
All Programs
CANNED FRUIT:
Peaches, Applesauce,
Slice Apples
Orange Juice
CANNED VEGETABLES:
Corn, Peas, Green Beans,
Spaghetti Sauce,
Vegetarian Beans
PROTEIN OPTIONS:
Peanut Butter
Canned Pork
Frozen Cut-up Chicken
CANNED JUICE:
Orange, Apple,
Grapefruit
DAIRY OPTIONS:
Dried Egg Mix
UHT Fluid Milk
PROTEIN OPTIONS:
Canned Chili w/o
Beans
Canned Beef Stew
Canned/Pouch
Chicken
GRAINS:
Cereal
Macaroni & Cheese
GRAINS:
Rice, Flour, Pasta
Flow of request & use of USDA Foods
Voluntary
Organizations
send request for
USDA Foods to
State
State approves
(congregate)
FNS approves
(HH feeding)
USDA Foods
taken from:
Local/State
Inventories
Local Sites
Provide Food
Neighboring State
Inventories
Federal Inventories
USDA Diversions &
Purchases
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Disaster-SNAP
• People who might not ordinarily qualify for SNAP benefits may be eligible under the D‐SNAP due to expenses related to protecting, repairing, or evacuating their homes or lost income
• Current SNAP recipients may be eligible for additional benefits under the D‐SNAP
• Disaster benefits are provided like regular program benefits – through an EBT card used at authorized food retailers to buy food
• USDA covers 100% benefit costs; 50% of administrative costs
D‐SNAP Authority & Approval
• Requires a Presidential Disaster Declaration with Individual Assistance • State agencies formally request FNS approval to operate a D‐SNAP within a disaster area.
• FNS approves program operations for a limited period of time (typically 7 days). International Response - The
Republic of the Marshall Islands
 Disaster relief due to severe drought conditions on 13 islands/atolls
 In coordination with USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, Department of Defense (procurement agents), and AMS (funding agents)  Provided over $2 million in food to support feeding 6,600 people
 9 months of shipments from July 2013 through March 2014
A pilot boat with village elder met USAID transport early on July 7, 2013, at the Mejit passage. This boat was the only functional powered boat. A tin boat was used to move supplies to the reef where they were hand carried to a boat in the lagoon.
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USDA FNS - working in partnership with
the Whole Community
State
Private
Disaster Nutrition Assistance
Federal
NGOs
Without A Feeding Plan:
Duplication, Wasted Resources, Unrealistic
Expectations, Unfulfilled needs …
With A Multi-Agency Feeding Plan…
• Increased understanding of capabilities among Federal/State/local partners
• Realistic expectations
• Improved response and service • Efficient Use of Resources
NGO
USDA
FEMA
FOOD BANKS RESPONSE TO
DISASTERS
• TEFAP was established to feed people on an emergency basis. The Emergency Food Assistance Program
• TEFAP Food Banks may distribute food to survivors but will NOT have their food replaced…
• UNLESS PRIOR APPOVAL is given from the State Distributing Agency. AUTHORIZING HOUSEHOLD
DISASTER FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Food Bank
Food Bank
FNS HQ
SDA
FNS RO
FNS RO
SDA
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FNS Guidance for Food Banks
http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/FoodBank.pdf
Work with Federal, State, and NGO partners
FNS Contacts
FNS Regional Disaster Coordinators
• http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns‐regional‐offices
Headquarters: Office of Emergency Management
• Toni Abernathy, Director
Toni.Abernathy@fns.usda.gov
(703) 305‐2041
• Cora Russell, Disaster Response Coordinator
Cora.Russell@fns.usda.gov
(703) 305‐2527 or • Mary Beth Flowers, DRC (Acting) MaryBeth.Flowers@fns.usda.gov
(703) 305‐2892
Website: www.fns.usda.gov/disaster‐assistance
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