USDA Announces Investment in Nutrition Incentive Programs

USDA announced that it is investing more than $52 million through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) in three competitive grant programs that improve dietary health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for eligible families. First, 19 awardees are receiving GusNIP Nutrition Incentive funding totaling $41.8 million, for projects that increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the point of purchase among income-eligible households. Meanwhile, Produce Prescription awards account for $5.2 million to 11 awardees. These projects demonstrate and evaluate the impact of fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions. Finally, one awardee is receiving $7 million to support the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation and Information (NTAE) Center that offers training, technical assistance, evaluation and informational support services.