Availability of Funding to Alleviate Emergency Supply Chain Disruption in FDPIR

This letter is to inform Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and state agencies operating the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) of the opportunity to receive funding, in the form of direct cash assistance, for the purchase of domestically grown and produced foods. These funds will enable ITOs and state agencies to alleviate supply chain challenges and national warehouse delays, which are impacting FDPIR inventory levels and more broadly, the availability of a sufficient variety and quantity of food resources for participants.

This use of funds is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act. In accordance with this CCC authority, the funds must be used to purchase agricultural commodities, which includes domestically grown and produced foods for distribution to FDPIR participants. Examples and additional information on the allowable uses is provided in Attachment A, Terms and Conditions. The food purchased with the CCC funding is in addition to the FDPIR food package items. FNS encourages ITOs/state agencies to consider the nutritional value and the diversity of inventory prior to purchasing foods with CCC funding.

Funding is being offered to every ITO and state agency operating FDPIR on the basis of that operation’s highest fiscal year 2024 monthly participation at $200 per participant. Attached to this letter is a table which shows the CCC funding offered (Attachment B). In addition to this base amount, remaining available funding will be provided at the request of those attesting that inventory levels are below one-half month for one or more food package categories.

To receive the CCC funds, ITOs and state agencies must sign the attached agreement (Attachment C) and return it to their respective FNS regional office with the total amount they choose to accept as listed in Attachment B and, indication of whether additional funds are requested based on inventory levels below one-half month for one or more food package categories. USDA requests return of the attached agreement (Attachment C) by Aug. 19, 2024, in order to allocate the funds as quickly as possible. Agreements returned after this date will be processed as received. An ITO’s/state agency’s acceptance of these funds indicated by the signed agreement (Attachment C) will serve as acknowledgment of, and agreement with, the conditions in Attachment A. ITOs and state agencies must have a valid and active SAM.gov registration and funding will be provided to the bank associated with the SAM.gov profile.

Attachments

• Attachment A - Terms and Conditions
• Attachment B - Available Funding Amounts
• Attachment C - Funding Agreement