(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) joined Reps. Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Rick Crawford (AR-01) and 70 House colleagues in sending a letter to House leadership calling for additional emergency funding in the next coronavirus aid bill for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which helps to support fruit and vegetable incentive programs.

GusNIP provides funding, through non-profits, to Americans on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance to purchase fruits and vegetables at participating grocery stores and farmers’ markets. This program also increases the purchasing power of SNAP recipients and helps low-income families afford nutritious food. For instance, a family that spends their SNAP benefits on Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables would receive a dollar for dollar match to buy additional fruits or vegetables, essentially doubling the value of their food assistance benefits.

The Member swrote: “GusNIP stretches families’ food budgets, incentivizes healthier options and stimulates the economy. Without an emergency increase, GusNIP grantees will be faced with exhausted funding exactly at the time they are most needed in the recovery phase of the pandemic. We urge Congress to expand USDA’s match at this critically important time by providing $51 million in emergency funding into this effective nutrition incentive program.”

Click here to read the full text of the letter.

###