AUGUSTA -- The state Department of Health and Human Services announced today that the federal food stamp program will now be called the Food Supplement Program in Maine.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Food Nutrition Service program gives states the flexibility to adopt their own names. The name change in Maine reflects the shift in focus, as well as the fact that the paper food stamps no longer exist, according to the department.

"We've opted to keep it simple and leave the program initials or acronym intact,'' said Barbara Van Burgel, Director of the Office of Integrated Access and Support. "The program does not cover all of the food costs of the person receiving assistance. It's meant to stretch or supplement their food dollar."