In Washington, D.C., the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced increased cooperation with states in the operation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to promote self-sufficiency, integrity in the program and better customer service.
USDA intends to offer state agencies greater local control over SNAP, the safety net program that serves millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families, with specifics communicated to state agencies soon.
“SNAP was created to provide people with the help they need to feed themselves and their families, but it was not intended to be a permanent lifestyle,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “As a former Governor, I know first-hand how important it is for states to be given flexibility to achieve the desired goal of self-sufficiency for people. We want to provide the nutrition people need, but we also want to help them transition from government programs, back to work, and into lives of independence.”