WASHINGTON, August 10, 2022 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of nearly $8 million to support the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). The funding is part of USDA’s American Rescue Plan efforts and will be administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
GusNIP Produce Prescription projects provide financial and non-financial incentives to individuals and families with income to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to improve dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.
By bringing together stakeholders from various parts of the food and health systems, GusNIP projects foster understanding to improve the health and nutritional status of participating households and use data to identify and improve best practices at scale.
“USDA continues to make progress in transforming our nation’s food system,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and Chief Scientist. “With this investment, USDA is making more nutritious food available to more people at more affordable prices. The GusNIP Produce Prescription Program demonstrates the invaluable impact that access to fresh fruits and vegetables has on communities in need.” .
The awards announced today fund meritorious FY 2021 GusNIP Produce Prescription applications that were well rated but could not be funded at that time due to budget constraints. Seventeen projects are being funded, including the following:
NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education and extension across the country to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. In fiscal year 2021, NIFA’s total investment was $1.96 billion. Visit the NIFA website for more information.
The USDA touches the lives of all Americans every day in many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming the U.S. food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams. of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart forestry and food practices, making historic investments in clean energy infrastructure and capacity in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and creating a workforce more representative of America. For more information, visit usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
