Acting Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Melvin O. Faisao said the 2,619 household cases in Oct. 2008 went up to 2,733 in May 2009, a 4.17 percent increase.
The 7,607 household members who were NAP clients in October last year rose to 7,848 last May, an increase of 3.07 percent.
A household is defined as an individual or group of individuals who live together and purchase food together for home consumption.
Faisao said the CNMI, through DCCA, has been awarded a 13.7 percent increase for the food stamp program this year.
He said this means that the current NAP grant amount, which is $10.066 million, will increase to $11.525 million.
The program aims to promote the general welfare and health of low-income and needy families and individuals in the commonwealth by raising their levels of nutrition.
In the CNMI, the program earmarks 30 percent of the food stamp allotments for locally produced food items.
