Aug. 26, 2002 – The Education Department's Child Nutrition Program will distribute free U.S. Department of Agriculture commodities to qualifying individuals and families on St. Croix on Saturday, according to an Education release.
The food items will be distributed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Charles H. Emanuel School in Kingshill, Juanita Gardine School in Richmond and Claude O. Markoe School in Mars Hill.
Those eligible to receive the federal surplus items include food stamp recipients, people on medical assistance programs and tenants of subsidized housing.
Also eligible are others whose family incomes do not exceed 185 percent of eligibility guidelines for 2002/2003. To qualify, one person can make up to $16,391 a year; for families of two or more, add $5,698 for each additional person.
Those wishing to pick up items must show their food stamp or medical assistance card. If they are self-certifying, they must bring proof of income. And all intending to collect commodities are asked to bring strong boxes or bags to hold the items.
Ginny Dargan, a public information officer in the Education Department, said USDA commodity distributions are made several times a year.
According to the USDA Web site, agencies pick what foods they will distribute from a list that includes include fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, meats, dry and canned beans, vegetable shortening and oil, peanut products, rice, cheese, pasta products, flour and other grain products. What's on the list depends on what surplus commodities are available.

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