WASHINGTON, DC – On June 22nd, USDA marked the transition from the food stamp coupon era to full nationwide Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) delivery of Food Stamp Program benefits. USDA Secretary Ann Veneman and Representative Gil Gutnecht (R-MN) congratulated state food stamp agency EBT personnel meeting in Washington, DC; and USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Eric Bost presented awards to states and key stakeholders for their EBT implementation efforts. (See http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0251.04.html ). At the morning event with Secretary Veneman, Rep. Gutnecht (who chairs the House Agriculture Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Food Stamp Program) referenced President Franklin Roosevelt's call for the freedom from hunger in explaining the importance of the program. Six national organizations were singled out for recognition by Secretary Veneman and with awards to: FRAC, American Public Human Services Association, Food Marketing Institute, National Grocers Association, Electronic Funds Transfer Association (EFTA), and NACHA--The Electronic Payments Association.