USDA agency invests $40M to improve dietary health and reduce food insecurity

More Americans will receive produce prescriptions for better health.

The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced the availability of nearly $40 million to support the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Produce Prescription Program. 

The funding is part of the USDA American Rescue Plan Act, according to a news release.

GusNIP Produce Prescription projects provide financial and nonfinancial incentives to income-eligible individuals and families to procure fresh fruits and vegetables intended to improve dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce individual and household food insecurity, and reduce associated health care costs, according to the release.

“Produce prescriptions projects are already making an invaluable impact throughout the nation, providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables to people who may not otherwise be able to afford them,” acting NIFA Director Dionne Toombs said in the release. “This funding will allow NIFA to support even more Produce Prescription projects that will both improve dietary health and reduce food insecurity for those in need.”

Mollie Van Lieu, vice president of nutrition and health for the International Fresh Produce Association, called the $40 million investment welcome news.

“When we think about transforming the food system, there is no better way than supporting policies that focus on health outcomes for the consumer,” Van Lieu said. “With 9 out of 10 Americans failing to meet the government’s fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations, USDA’s investment in produce prescriptions recognizes the need to advance systemic approaches to address nutrition insecurity through the health care system."

 While $40 million still essentially keeps the program in the pilot stage, Van Lieu said the investment is a positive step forward that will help make the case for systemswide changes beyond the walls of USDA. 

The USDA said a portion of the money ($17.5 million) will be used to fund GusNIP Produce Prescription applications from fiscal year 2021. Those applications were highly ranked but could not be funded in fiscal year 2021 because of budget constraints, according to the agency. These funds will also provide an opportunity for active GusNIP Produce Prescription awardees (from fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021) who are not already implementing GusNIP COVID Relief and Response awards to apply for project enhancement funding, according to the release. The funds will expand project reach and extend the period of performance for another three years.

NIFA will notify eligible organizations and provide additional details and a copy of the application package. The remaining $22.5 million will be used to fund fiscal year 2022 projects. The request for applications is open until June 30, the USDA said.