Food Distribution Division

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

What is CSFP? CSFP works to improve the health of low income pregnant and breastfeeding women, other new mothers up to one year postpartum, infants, children up to six, and elderly people at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. It provides both administrative and food funds to States to supplement the diets of these groups.

Whats the difference between CSFP and WIC Programs? CSFP also serves elderly people, and provides food rather than the food vouchers/EBT cards that WIC participants receive. Eligible people cannot participate in both programs at the same time.

How does the program operate? USDA purchases food and makes it available to State agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), along with funds for administrative costs. State agencies store the food and distribute it to public and non-profit private local agencies. Local agencies determine the eligibility of applicants, distribute the foods, and provide nutrition education. Local agencies also provide referrals to other welfare, nutrition, and health care programs.

What are the requirements to get food? Women, infants, children, and the elderly must reside in the state or on the ITO. States establish an income limit for the elderly that is at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. States establish an income limit for women, infants, and children that are at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, but not below 100% of these guidelines.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

What is TEFAP? A federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost.

How does the program operate? USDA purchases USDA Foods and makes it available to State Distributing Agencies. The amount of food provided is based on the number of unemployed persons and the number of people with incomes below the poverty level in the State. States provide the food to local agencies such as soup kitchens and food pantries.

Who is eligible to get food? Households that meet State eligibility criteria may receive food for home use. State can adjust eligibility criteria to ensure that assistance is provided only to those households most in need. Public or private nonprofit organizations that provide food and nutrition assistance to low income Americans, also have to meet certain requirements.

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

What is FDPIR? FDPIR provides USDA Food to low-income households living on Indian reservations, and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. Many households participate in FDPIR as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) because they have less access to authorized food stores.

How does the program operate? The program is administered locally by either Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) or an agency of the State government. USDA purchases and ships USDA Foods to the ITOs and State agencies. Foods are selected from a list of available foods. Administering agencies store and distribute food, determine applicant eligibility, and provide nutrition education to recipients.

Who is eligible for FDPIR benefits? Low-income American Indian and non-Indian households that reside on a reservation and households living in approved areas near a reservation or in Oklahoma that contain at least one person who is a member of a Federally recognized tribe. Households are certified based on income and resource standards set by the Federal government. Households may not participate in both FDPIR and SNAP in the same month.

Questions? Melissa Washington, Program Specialist USDA, Food and Nutrition Services