Hon. Ann Veneman, Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue S.W.
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Veneman,

I am writing to urge you, on behalf of New York's older adults, to fund the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program at the FFY 2002 level of $25 million.

We have learned that Congress added appropriations report language that has the potential to reduce program funding by $5 million, or 33%, which will have a negative impact on New York's seniors and seniors throughout the United States. We believe that the health of our seniors should not be placed at risk in order to find the necessary funding to increase the defense budget.

As you are no doubt aware, the Farmer's Market Nutrition Program is a critical program that allows low-income older New Yorkers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the summer. It is a very popular program that helps improve their diet and health, increases income for small farmers, and expands the awareness and use of community farmers' markets.

Scientific evidence increasingly supports that good nutrition is essential for health, functionality and quality of life. For older adults, adequate nutrition may be especially important because of their increased vulnerability to chronic disease and conditions which may impair their functionality, their access to adequate food and nutrition, and their ability to live at home in the community. The old-old, minority individuals, low-income individuals, individuals who live alone, individuals with disabling conditions particularly those that interfere with their ability to shop and cook for themselves, and individuals with multiple chronic diseases may be at highest risk for poor nutrition and the resultant health consequences.

Adequate nutrition is integral to healthy aging and the prevention or delay of chronic disease and disease-related disabilities; it plays a role in health promotion/disease prevention as well as the treatment and management of chronic diseases.

USDA has the authority to release additional funds for the Senior FMNP and we urge you to provide the full $25 million this year to ensure continuation of previous programs ($15 million) and permit program expansion in existing and new states.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Organization

Put who you represent - for example - The New York State Coalition for the Aging is a non-profit membership organization representing over 170 community-based senior service providers serving hundreds of thousands of older New Yorkers.