Page 1

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES MANUAL GENERAL PROCEDURES & REQUIREMENTS FNS 110 PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY OF THE FOOD & NUTRITION SERVICES PROGRAM

1 Change #02-2023 September 1, 2023 FNS 110 Purpose and Authority of the Food and Nutrition Services Program Change 02-2023 September 1, 2023

110.01 PURPOSE OF THE FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES PROGRAM The Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Program is designed to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the nation's population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. FNS assists low-income adults in obtaining employment and increasing their earnings. Such employment and earnings, along with program benefits, will permit low-income households to obtain a more nutritious diet through normal channels of trade by increasing food purchasing power for all eligible households who apply for participation.

110.02 FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES PROGRAM AUTHORITY A. The FNS Program is authorized by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (Title VI, As Amended through P.L. 110-246). Regulations issued pursuant to the Act are contained in 7 CFR Parts 270285. B. Program operations are conducted in North Carolina under the terms of North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 108, and Sections 51-53.1. The provisions of G.S. 108-51 are repeated below. “108A-51 Authorization for Food and Nutrition Services. The Department is authorized to establish a statewide Food and Nutrition Services program as authorized by the Congress of the United States. The Department of Health and Human Services is designated as the State agency responsible for the supervision of such programs. The boards of county commissioners through the county departments of social services are held responsible for the administration and operation of the programs.”

110.03 FINANCIAL LIABILITIES If the United States Department of Agriculture determines negligence in the initial certification of applicant households, any subsequent certifications, or the issuance of benefits, the county will, on demand, pay a sum equal to the amount of any benefits issued as a result of such negligence or fraud. The county is liable for any overissuance of benefits as a result of errors made by personnel.

110.04 COUPONS AS OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, CRIMES AND OFFENSES A. “Coupon'' means any coupon, stamp, type of certificate, authorization card, cash, or check issued in lieu of a coupon or access device, including an electronic benefit