Special Office of Nutrition Programs Schedules Commodity Distribution for St. John

A pile of produce awaits consumers at the 2017 Ag Fair. This year's festival has been delayed, but not cancelled. (Susan Ellis photo)
Produce, (photo by Susan Ellis photo)

The Department of Education’s State Office of Special Nutrition Programs has announced its upcoming distribution of USDA commodities for St. John will be held on Sept. 7. All eligible persons should report at 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, at Julius E. Sprauve School cafeteria, St. John. Distribution will continue until supplies are depleted. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) uses income, not age, to determine program eligibility. This distribution is for all persons meeting the criteria listed below. Distribution packages will be limited to one per household. Individuals or heads of households eligible to receive these commodities must be identified as needy by meeting one of the following criteria:

1. A person or head of household whose gross family income does not exceed the 185 percent of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. (see income eligibility guideline table below)
2. A person or head of household that is a client of any of the following income certified assistance programs: (a) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (b) Medical Assistance Program (c) Be a Tenant of a Subsidized Public Housing program.

ANNUAL: Not more than $23,107
MONTHLY: Not more than $1,926
WEEKLY: Not more than $445

ANNUAL / MONTHLY / WEEKLY
Household size 2
(annual) $31,284/monthly) $2,607/(weekly) $602
Household size 3
$39,461/$3,289/$759
Household size 4
$47,638/$3,970/$917
Household size 5
$55,815/$4,652/$1,074
Household size 6
$63,992/$5,333/$1,231
Household size 7
$72,169/$6,015/$1,388
Household size 8
$80,346/$6,696/$1,546
For each additional family member, add (annual) $8,177/ (monthly) $682/ (weekly) $158

To obtain commodities, proper identification must be presented. Persons completing the self-certification form should be prepared to provide information relative to their gross income. Any persons not able to provide satisfactory information to the distribution site staff will not receive a commodity package.
It is suggested that potential recipients bring along sturdy boxes or bags to assist with the transport of the food packages. For additional information, call Federal Commodities Officer Correy Lettsome at 774-0100, ext. 2818.

CIVIL RIGHTS NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices and employees and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.