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Kilili says Rota and Tinian need higher food stamps
Higher food stamp benefits for families on Rota and Tinian was the message from Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan, who met with Audrey Rowe, Administrator for the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, yesterday. The Food and Nutrition Service has had data on cost differences for the two islands since last year; and Sablan has been encouraging the agency to move forward on any necessary analysis. He asked Rowe to make a final decision this month. (Contributed Photo)
WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a meeting yesterday with the head of the national food stamp program Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) continued his push for higher benefits for Rota and Tinian. In a one-to-one discussion at his office with Food and Nutrition Services Administrator Audrey Rowe, Sablan made the case for higher benefits on the islands where food costs are higher. He urged Rowe to use data on food costs supplied by the Commonwealth government last year to raise benefits.
“I asked Ms. Rowe to make a decision on this soon,” said Sablan, “this month if she can. The information is there.
“Just because we got the $32.5 million pilot program that will bring the Northern Marianas into the national Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program enacted into law in January does not mean that our work is done. We also have to do something now for the people on Rota and Tinian, who pay dearly for food. They need a higher benefit.”
Sablan worked closely with Rowe, during the time he served on the House Agriculture Committee.
“We have really become partners in the effort to make sure that families in the Northern Mariana Islands have enough food,” Sablan said. “And I know she understands the importance of increasing food assistance on Rota and Tinian.”
