Nutrition Assistance Program negotiations held

The Nutrition Assistance Program, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, has requested $8.5 million in FY 2006 from the federal government for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The budget proposal was the topic of negotiations held on July 11-12, 2005, with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service regional office in San Francisco, California.

The Food and Nutrition Service recommended at the annual talks that the CNMI include in its budget proposal an increase of 1-2 percent in consideration of the declining garment manufacturing industry and its subsequent affect on resident employees. FNS also recommended the hiring of a consultant to look into the implementation of the Electronic Benefits Transfer system, which would allow food stamp recipients to use a card to pay for their purchases from vendors.

NAP further requested an increase from $77,000 to $100,000 for the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Plan. NAP has been offering the service to its clients since last years through the Northern Marianas College-CREES program.

The negotiations in San Francisco were attended by DCCA Secretary Juan L. Babauta, NAP administrator Walter Macaranas, NAP accountant Celina Muna, and finance and accounting division manager Bernie Palacios of the Department of Finance.

A finalized budget for NAP will be approved by USDA-FNS before the new fiscal year.

NAP was established to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and well being of Commonwealth residents by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income, zero-income and needy families and individuals.

In addition, NAP supports and stimulates the local economy by earmarking 30 percent of the Monthly Food Stamp Allotment for each Household Case or family household and individual strictly for the purchase of foods grown, raised, caught, or processed in the CNMI as a finished food product for family consumption. In addition, the other 70 percent of the latter is referred to as the U.S. Regular Coupons, which are considered “flexible” coupons in that they may be used for purchases of imported food commodities as well as local products.

The program is administered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding executed between the United States Department of Agriculture-Food and Nutrition Service and the CNMI government. (PR)