Beginning next month, 20% of food stamp coupons from the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program will be allocated for the purchase of locally grown, fished and produced food items.
According to Director of Human and Social Services Muavaefaatasi John Suisala, the move is to help stimulate local food production and support local farmers, bakers, fishermen and other local food producers. It’s also aimed at promoting a healthy eating lifestyle by using fresh organic fruits, vegetables, eggs and fish.
Eighty percent of the food coupons will still be used for the purchase of any type of food items. This includes taro and other food items imported from Samoa.
Muavaefaatsi says farmers with roadside stalls may also apply to become authorized ASNAP farmers if they have a business license, a permanent location with regular hours of operation and a bank account with the Territorial Bank of American Samoa. TBAS is ASNAP’S agent to redeem food coupons.
The allocation for local food purchases was included when ASNAP was first made available in the territory.
At that time, 30% was earmarked for local food and the intention was to help boost local food production and to expand a market for local farmers, fishermen and bakers.
The allocation was later reduced to 20% and a former director eventually removed the local allocation.
Muavaefaatasi said he went back to the grantor, the US Department of Agriculture, last year to request reinstatement of this earmark to help our local farmers, fishermen and bakers and to promote a healthy and nutritious diet.
The earmark for locally grown and produced food will start next month with food stamp coupons or ASNAP benefits for April.
Muavaefaatsi said all of the authorized retailers have been prepared for this as well as recipients. Posters will be displayed in all authorized retail stores on what can and cannot be purchased with local coupons.
ASNAP is holding three orientations this Friday at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm for any farmer who wishes to become an authorized retailer for the program.
This will be held in the ASNAP Office at Utulei and more information about the orientations can be obtained by calling Pati Pouesi at 633-7720.
