New income guidelines for Commodity Supplemental Food Program announced

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announces that federal income guidelines for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for seniors have increased, allowing more low-income seniors to apply. CSFP currently reaches about 4,500 low-income seniors age 60 years and older in New Hampshire. Income guidelines are up to: $1,276 monthly for a senior living alone and $1,726 monthly for a family of two persons.

CSFP provides a monthly food box that includes canned meats, fruits, vegetables, cereal, juice, pasta, rice, and cheese, plus recipe ideas on how to use the foods in healthy recipes. "Public health nutrition programs such as this provide important nutrition services to low-income seniors who may have a difficult time finding affordable healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer months," said Dr. José Thier Montero, Director of Public Health a DHHS. "By providing these foods and nutrition education to seniors, we hope to prevent the onset of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes."