Sanders Announces Additional Slots Available in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Sanders Announces Additional Slots Available in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Congressman Bernie Sanders today held a press conference to announce that additional slots are now available for seniors to enroll in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). CSFP, which Sanders helped bring to the state several years ago, provides more than 4000 low-income Vermont seniors with nutritious food typically lacking in their diet. As a result of fluctuations in the funding process, there are now more than 500 additional slots available for Vermont seniors in the program. Seniors can learn more about the program and enroll if they are eligible by calling 1-800-214-4648.

Sanders said, "This program serves as a lifeline for thousands of low-income Vermont seniors. The high-quality food that is provided at no cost through the program is an important part of the diets of many of the most vulnerable seniors in our state. This is a critical service and I strongly encourage all eligible seniors to enroll in the program."

In the budget proposed earlier this year, President Bush sought to eliminate all funding for CSFP. The President's proposal was rejected by the House and Senate after Sanders led a bipartisan coalition of 120 members of Congress in calling for the funding to be restored. The House has voted to provide an $8 million increase over last year's funding and the Senate has essentially agreed to level fund CSFP.

Sanders said, "I am very pleased that we were able to convince the House and the Senate Appropriations Committee to reject the President's proposal to eliminate this important program. However, this battle is far from over. The full Senate still needs to approve this funding, and a House-Senate Conference Committee will have to work-out the differences in the two bills. And, of course the President must still sign a final bill into law. But, the bottom line is that we are in a much better position today than we were a few months ago."

Last year, the Vermont Food Bank distributed 1.8 million pounds of CSFP food to 151 sites across Vermont. To be eligible, seniors must have income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line (currently about $12,400 per year for a single person and $16,700 for a couple.) CSFP also provides food packages to low-income pregnant and post-partum women, infants, and children up to age six that are at or below approximately 185% of the poverty line. A typical CSFP food package includes items such as canned tuna fish, meat and poultry, peanut butter, formula, milk, juice, oats, rice, beans, cheese, cereal, and canned fruits and vegetables.

Deborah Flateman, CEO of the Vermont Food Bank, Amy Nickerson of the Department of Aging and Disabilities, and Ellin Perry of the Montpelier Housing Authority joined Sanders at the press conference.

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/document.asp?issueNum=4972