On Dec. 8, NPC joined groups representing specialty crop growers, grocers, and anti-hunger advocates in calling on Congress to support $51 million in emergency funding for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) as part of the next round of COVID relief. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a letter to House and Senate leadership, the group argues that the funding is necessary \u201cin response to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on farmers, local grocers, poverty-induced hunger, and local economies across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the letter, they write, \u201cGusNIP stretches families\u2019 food budgets, incentivizes healthier options and stimulates the local economy. Without an emergency increase, GusNIP grantees will be faced with exhausted funding at a time they are most needed in helping with the recovery phase of the pandemic. We urge Congress to expand USDA\u2019s match to GusNIP programs that are delivering critical, effective, and proven solutions to this crisis by providing $51 million in emergency funding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n