$10 million in USDA funding will increase Am Samoa’s ASNAP benefits

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — To address food insecurity in American Samoa and provide more equitable resources to U.S. territories, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service is providing a $10 million grant to bolster the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program, or ASNAP. This will provide all current ASNAP participants with $277 per month in the new fiscal year, according to the USDA.

A press release issued by Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s office says she met with the USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Stacy Dean on Wednesday where Dean informed the Congresswoman that the USDA would be allocating $10 million to American Samoa to be disbursed to current recipients of ASNAP.

“I was honored to meet Under Secretary Dean yesterday (Wednesday), and I am very thankful for all her work on behalf of the people of American Samoa,” said Amata. “Living on our islands is not easy, especially now given the increasing shipping and food prices. This grant shows that the federal government understands the unique challenges we face. It allows the American Samoa Government to augment its nutritional assistance program at a time when our people need all the help they can get. For those who receive ASNAP, the extra money will make a substantial difference.”

“I congratulate Governor Lemanu, Lieutenant Governor Talauega, and Director of Human and Social Services Muavaefa’atasi John Suisala on this grant. I would also like to thank my Congressional colleagues for authorizing the funds necessary to help the people of American Samoa. I stand ever ready to assist in any way I can at the federal level,” Amata said.

The USDA says the funding is in addition to the annual block grant the territory receives and will be used to increase nutrition assistance benefits for ASNAP participants for one year. Benefits will be spent locally, which in turn will increase the purchasing power of local grocery stores to purchase food from local producers and farmers. 

“Our fellow citizens in American Samoa are dealing with unprecedented supply chain challenges, made even more complex by the island’s rural, remote location,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Stacy Dean. “These funds will put more resources into their hands, which will then be invested back into the local community to foster a stronger, more resilient food system.”  

This $10 million grant is funded by the American Recue Plan Act and supports USDA’s goals of transforming local food systems and increasing nutrition security. The funds allow American Samoa to provide $277 per month to all current ASNAP participants from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. This is an increase of between $100 and $183 per month over current benefit levels. For the lowest-income ASNAP participants, American Samoa will also provide $208 per month to an additional household member, raising the total household benefit to $485 per month.

This grant will help mitigate the lasting effects of the pandemic and stimulate the local food system. It will also strengthen current efforts by the local government to diversify and increase food production on the island, starting with traditional and specialty crops and livestock.

Through the years, Americans struggling to put food on their tables have relied on USDA’s nutrition assistance programs. They are among the most far-reaching, powerful tools available to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, have access to healthy, affordable food.   

Households in American Samoa with questions about nutrition assistance eligibility and benefits should contact http://dhss.as/