The Ministry of Social Welfare and Women has confirmed that under the Food Voucher Programme identified recipients will receive voucher books from the districts after the 17th of March.

Acting Permanent Secretary Govind Sami said each Food Voucher of $30 per month will only be valid for a period of 60 days and recipients will be able to get food items from an approved list.

The Conditions of the Voucher are printed in the Voucher Book.  

The Food Vouchers are not redeemable for cash.

He said this program is targeted at the chronically ill, elderly and permanently disabled group under the Family Assistance Program.

Children under kinship care and those receiving Care & Protection Allowance based on need, will also qualify for Food Vouchers.

Sami confirmed the Expression of Interest for distribution of food items has been finalized and awarded to Morris Hedstrom and New World Supermarket.

Vouchers can only be redeemed with only these vendors.

The ministry has been allocated $7.4 million for the Food Voucher Program in the 2010 Budget.

The Food Voucher will be additional to the normal monthly Family Assistance payments ranging between $60 $100, given to recipients.

The awards to Morris Hedstrom and New World Supermarket will only be up to 30th June 2010 and the Ministry will be seeking more inputs by vendors for more innovative programs which can further stretch the dollar for the most needy in the society.