Food self-sufficiency in Micronesia: Effects of a nutrition assistance programme on food consumption

Abstract

Food assistance programmes in Micronesia have been blamed for creating disincentives to agriculture and nutritionally adverse dietary habits. In 1982 a USDA commodity programme in the Northern Mariana Islands was replaced by the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP), which required that at least 25% of food coupons be used for the purchase of local foods. Consumption of local fish and bread increased, but consumption of local fruits and vegetables declined among NAP participants. Although targeted coupons did not reverse the trend towards imported foods, the bakery and fishery endeavours indicate that improved marketing can be coupled with food stamps to increase local food production and consumption.