To bring additional support to the Commodity Food Program administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

 

 

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a national program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). The CSFP provides a bag of groceries to the program participants once a month. The 30-35 pound bag contains 4 cans of vegetables, 2 cans of fruits, 1 can of meat, 2 pounds of rice, 2 pounds of beans, a 2 pound bar of cheese, both powder and evaporated milk, 2 boxes of cereals, and 3 46 oz. cans of fruit juices such as apple and/or orange juice. Information provided by the local food bank confirm that if a person goes to buy these products at a retail store it would cost about $55.

While the CSFP is a federal program, it is not available in all areas of the United States. For example, in Texas, it is available in only two locations: The City of Dallas and Webb/ Zapata Counties. The CSFP serves children that are 0 to 6 years of age, pregnant women, and postpartum women as long as they are not in the WIC program are eligible for the program, however; the primary beneficiaries are the elderly population. The statistics reflect that 90% to 95% of the participants are the elderly, both at the national level and here in the Webb/Zapata Counties area.

The USDA is also the governmental agency that administers the food stamps program. According to their guidelines, most elderly citizens are entitled to only between $10 and $20 per months of food stamps. However, citizens must make multiple trips to get certified at the food stamp office, often times having to pay for transportation and then waiting hours until their case is called up which many elderly citizens do not want to go through.

Ironically, the CSFP bag of groceries only cost the USDA about $12, yet has a value of $55. With the elderly in Webb and Zapata counties not benefiting from the food stamp program, the City of Laredo would like to urge our state and federal elected officials to change policies so that the elderly population would benefit from the CSFP.