MAC Program

Respond Now

MAC Program

What is the Mother and Child/Senior Nutrition Program (MAC) ?

MAC is a federal food program designed to improve the health and nutrition of senior citizens, pregnant women and postpartum mothers, infants, and children. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Although it is called the MAC Program at Respond Now, the official U.S. Government name for the program is The Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Participants receive a free box of commodities up to once a month. The commodities are tailored to the nutritional needs of the participants. They provide nutrients that the participants might not otherwise get.

At Respond Now the MAC Program is completely separate from our food pantry operation. The MAC staff at Respond Now determines the eligibility of applicants, distributes the food, and provides nutrition education. They also provide referrals to other welfare, nutrition and healthcare programs such as food stamps, Medicaid and Medicare. MAC participants can receive food from MAC as well as from Respond Now’s food pantry

Who is eligible for the MAC Program?

Two groups of people are eligible to participate in MAC:

· Seniors, at least 60 years of age, who have income at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Nationally about 82% of all MAC participants were seniors.

· Pregnant and breastfeeding women, mothers up to one year postpartum, infants, and children up to age six. Income eligibility for this population is typically 185 percent of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines. WIC participants are not eligible for MAC. However, because WIC only serves children up to 5 years of age, MAC can “pick up” 5 year-olds who previously received WIC.

What kind of food is distributed?

Food boxes are tailored to meet the nutritional needs of the participants. Examples of distributed food include, non-fat dried and evaporated milk, cereal, juice, oats, pasta, rice, dry beans, peanut butter, cheese, canned meat and poultry, and canned fruits and vegetables. The cost of the monthly food box to the USDA is about $19.49, however it has a retail value of $50.00.

How is the MAC Program funded?

In FY 2008, Congress appropriated $139.7 million for MAC. The appropriations cover both the food itself and administrative costs. The President’s proposed 2009 budget calls for the nationwide elimination of this program, putting at risk the 500,000 low income seniors and children who rely on this program for much needed help. On April 25 House and Senate farm-bill negotiators reached a tentative deal—which included a boost for nutrition funding—but now final agreement must be reached and the bill passed on the House & Senate floors. That may happen in early May but local families and food pantries have needed more aid for a long time. “With sky rocketing food prices, food stamp households and food pantries need assistance now more than ever", says Carl Wolf.