FDPIR Administrative Funds for Nutrition Education
In November 2022, FNS began disseminating $4M in administrative funds provided annually for nutrition education to Tribes interested in expanding and enhancing their nutrition education activities. To date, over 80 Tribes have received over $2.5M in funding. Over $1.5M in administrative funds for nutrition education are still remaining this year. Tribes interested in receiving additional funding are encouraged to submit their request for funds to their FNS Regional Office by May 15, 2023.
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FDPIR Nutrition Education Funding
USDA is grateful for everyone that worked with us to review and submit nutrition education plans for the annual allocation of $4 million in FDPIR administrative funds for nutrition education. Since November 2022, over 80 Tribes have received more than $2.5 million in administrative funds for nutrition education!
If your Tribe or State agency requires additional funds for nutrition education in FY 2023, please submit a request through your FNS Regional Office by May 15, 2023.
The annual availability of $4 million for Tribes to deliver nutrition education replaces the need for FNS to administer a competitive grant program. Effective this year, FY 2023, the FDPIR Nutrition Education Grant Program (FDPNE) was discontinued. Funds previously used for the grant program will remain available to support Tribes in delivering nutrition education activities for FDPIR. Activities historically funded through the grant program may be funded by administrative funds for nutrition education. If your Tribe or State agency planned to fund a nutrition education project through the FDPNE grant program in FY 2023, please contact your FNS Regional Office to instead request administrative funds for nutrition education.
Information about requesting nutrition education funding for FY 2024 will be provided by FNS during the annual budget negotiations process. Please contact us at usdafoods@usda.gov if you have any questions.
Tribal Leaders Consultation Work Group Continues at USDA
In February, USDA consulting officials and staff joined Tribal leaders and representatives to consult on FDPIR and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The meeting, held both in person and virtually, brought together attendees to consult on specific issues surrounding self-determination, proposed rulemaking, information technology systems that support food distribution programs, nutrition education, and food package updates, among other important topics. Additional information about this consultation can be found here.
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Southwestern Region FDPIR Staff Attend Community Nutrition Champion Training
On March 28-29, 2023, FDPIR program staff from across the Southwest region participated in the second Community Nutrition Champion Training (CNCT) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as part of a three-year cooperative agreement between the Oklahoma Tribal Engagement Partners (OKTEP) and USDA FNS. CNCT is a nutrition paraprofessional curriculum designed to provide nutrition education training to non-nutrition professionals who work in FDPIR and engage with participants. Attendees, who we refer to as “champions,” hold many FDPIR positions, such as intake and eligibility support specialists, outreach personnel, and warehouse workers. Learning activities covered in the training include:
- MyPlate nutrition
- Food labels
- Food safety
- Cooking basics
- Recipe basics
- Recipe modification
- Planning, conducting, performing, and evaluating cooking demonstrations
To reinforce nutrition messages taught in each lesson, CNCT incentives such as kitchen tools, an apron, and a reusable thermal tote bag were provided to each champion. Champions also have access to culturally appropriate turn-key nutrition education resources online, free of charge. CNCT will be offered in four more locations during FY 2023, including:
- Grand Rapids, Michigan: May 17 – 18
- Rapid City, South Dakota: June 14 – 15
- Bellingham, Washington: July 19 – 20
- Anchorage, Alaska: September 19 – 20
If you are interested in learning more or attending a future training, please contact your regional office for more information.
 Community Nutrition Champions with OKTEP staff outside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pictured:
Back row, left to right: Edlyn Marquez, Victoria Battise, Lyle Silversmith, Alex Hainta, Bryant Sowsonicut
Middle row, left to right: Channa Tiger, Edwina Sanchez, Jeanette Francisco, Amanda Hoffman, Whitney Weryackwe, Jennifer Boynton, Michele Alphus, Johanna Tenorio
Front row, left to right: Tiffany Grant, Teresa Jackson, Kelli Begay
 Community Nutrition Champions conduct a cooking demonstration featuring Three Sisters Salad.
Pictured: Left to right: Edwina Sanchez, Jennifer Boynton, Michele Alphus, Bryant Sowsonicut, Jeanette Francisco
FDPIR Food Package Review Workgroup Meets in Phoenix, Arizona
Members of the FDPIR Food Package Review Workgroup met in-person and virtually on March 21, 2023, for a two-day strategic planning meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. During this meeting, members discussed upcoming FDPIR Guide Rate Enhancements and new foods that will be added to the FDPIR food package effective September 1, 2023. One item under consideration is a sliced, low-sodium turkey deli meat. Workgroup members had an opportunity to sample the turkey deli meat and unanimously agreed that it was a high-quality product with great taste and texture, and it would be an excellent addition to the food package.
The Workgroup was honored to hear from guest speaker, Dr. Valarie Bluebird Jernigan, as she described her research working with indigenous communities across Oklahoma as part of the Oklahoma State University Center for Indigenous Health Research and Policy. Dr. Jernigan inspired discussion about FDPIR nutrition education and praised the great work already underway by FDPIR program sites.
One highlight of the workgroup meeting was a site visit to the Gila River Food Distribution Program, where FDPIR program staff welcomed the group and provided a tour of their facility. Gila River operates a grocery store model, conducts mobile distribution at various locations on the reservation, makes home deliveries, and allows clients to pick-up their food package on-site. The grocery store tour highlighted how important it is for clients to have a choice about the foods they receive. This model allows clients to shop multiple times per month, which works especially well when obtaining foods with a shorter shelf-life, like fresh fruits and vegetables. The staff of the Gila River FDPIR program have every reason to be proud of their work!
Much is in motion for the FDPIR Food Package Review Workgroup after this important gathering in Phoenix. Stay tuned for more about FDPIR food package updates, nutrition education opportunities, and future events!
FDPIR Food Package Review Workgroup and staff from the Gila River Food Distribution in Sacaton, AZ, outside of the Gila River FDPIR facility.
IFMS Certification Module Launch and Updates
The IFMS Certification Module launched in February 2023. This new tool allows ITO users to determine FDPIR participant eligibility based on household and income information entered in IFMS.
March Certification Module Release – Duplicate Check and Self-Employment Tax Form Update:
The March 2023 IFMS monthly release included the following Certification Module enhancements:
- New duplicate check feature
- New help text and updated layout for the Self-Employment Tax Form to enter income details accurately and efficiently
- Ability to print an application summary with signature and date line, view the application’s certification start and end dates, and print a completed form more than once
April Certification Module Release – Zero Income and Advanced Income Calculations:
The most recent IFMS quarterly release was deployed on April 14, 2023. The new functionality includes:
- Zero income form embedded in application
- Calculation of inconsistent income within the month (income averaging)
- Calculation of inconsistent income over the year (i.e., seasonal income)
Prior to the release, the IFMS Transition Team hosted six ITO training sessions to allow users to attend a timeslot that worked for their schedule. The Team also hosted an open phone line for three days to support ITOs with the new enhancements.
IFMS users who have questions about updates should reach out to the help desk at WBSCM.servicedesk@caci.com.
June Certification Module Release – eSignatures, Document Storage, Enhanced Certification Notice Capabilities:
The June IFMS quarterly release is scheduled to include eSignatures and allow for document storage. ITOs who would like to use the eSignature and document storage capabilities should purchase electronic signature pen pads and/or a desktop scanner. Further information will be provided to IFMS users regarding the type of equipment to be purchased. Please reach out to your FNS Regional Office to discuss any questions related to FDPIR administrative funding.
New WBSCM Incident Reporting Tool
With the March 2023 release, users can submit incidents to the help desk from within Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM). The form walks the user through the information needed to analyze issues and concerns. Providing these details with the initial incident helps the WBSCM Service Desk to resolve problems more quickly.
To enter an incident:
1. From the main page, click on Report Incident in the upper right area of the screen.
 2. Complete the WBSCM Incident form. First, select a type of incident. A short description and details about the issue, question, or suggestion are required. Include other information as relevant.
3. Upload a full-page screenshot. Guidance is available under the How to Get Full Page Screenshot.
4. Upload additional attachments such as reports or data files, as needed.
5. Click Submit.
 After submitting an incident, users will receive an email to confirm that the WBSCM Service Desk has received the information.
All monthly changes are documented in the Release Notes, which may be accessed in WBSCM at Help > Training > Release Notes.
For questions about WBSCM, please use the new form to submit an incident or contact the WBSCM Service Desk.
System Releases & Announcements
- 02/23/2023 – WBSCM 2023R4.0.02 Release
- 03/30/2023 – WBSCM 2023R4.0.03 Release
- 04/02/2023 – FFAVORS 4.2 Release
- 04/27/2023 – WBSCM 2023R4.1.04 Release
Planned dates for system activities are subject to change.
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