The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that provides food at no cost to low-income Americans in need of short-term hunger relief. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) makes food products (commodities) as well as storage and distribution grants available to State Agencies and Indian Tribal Governments. The State Agencies that manage TEFAP distribute the product to qualifying emergency food organizations (EFOs), including—food banks, church pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and Community Action Agencies—which distribute the food directly to those in need or use it to prepare meals. In most instances, local food banks combine TEFAP food with privately donated food for food package (or emergency food box) distribution at food pantries, food shelves, and other local charities. This “leveraging” of TEFAP commodities with privately donated food extends TEFAP program benefits beyond the budgeted amount for the program.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program is designed to meet the short-term, emergency food needs of low-income Americans. TEFAP is a means-tested program, with income eligibility requirements set by the states, typically between 100 and 155 percent of the federal poverty threshold. Recipients include many vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, working families, and the homeless.
The House Agriculture Committee and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry are the committees of jurisdiction in the Congress. TEFAP commodity purchases are authorized through 2007 by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (Public Law 107-171) at $140 million in mandatory food purchase funding through the Food Stamp Act, and $60 million in discretionary authorization for TEFAP storage, distribution, and handling costs. The program is up for reauthorization this year when the Congress considers the 2007 Farm Bill.
In addition to the mandatory food purchases, USDA may provide surplus or “bonus” commodities through Section 32 surplus commodity removal authority. Bonus purchases are made at the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture to effectively stabilize market prices for at-risk commodities and help boost farm income.
In addition to providing wholesome food to hungry people, TEFAP serves the agricultural community by using surplus commodities purchased by USDA from farmers and other producers. A 1994 USDA Economic Research Service report found that for every $1 USDA spends for TEFAP commodities, farmers and producers receive between 27 and 85 cents, one of the highest rates of farm return of any federal nutrition program. 1
The Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Charitable Hunger Relief System
TEFAP commodities may account for almost half of all food received by an America’s Second Harvest member. Although the majority of food distributed through America’s Second Harvest’s system is provided by the private sector, private donations are not always reliable and consistent sources of food. As the demand for food increases at food distribution sites across the country, TEFAP is necessary for the provision of a steady food supply, which in many cases are basic food staples.
Each year, the USDA publishes a list of the types and quantities of commodities expected to be available during the upcoming fiscal year. The availability of certain food depends greatly on the preferences of states and distributing food banks, and agricultural market conditions. During FY 2007, more than 60 different food products are available; including canned and dried fruits, canned vegetables, fruit juice, meat, poultry, fish, dried egg mix, peanut butter, rice, grits, beans, and cereal. America’s Second Harvest food banks report that TEFAP commodities are often the most nutritious food they distribute to hungry Americans.
A major challenge for emergency food providers is the fact that bonus commodities through TEFAP have decreased significantly. These surplus commodity deliveries through TEFAP have declined approximately 70 percent nationwide over the past several years; at the same time that requests for emergency food have increased.
For more information about TEFAP and its role in the nation’s food assistance safety net, please contact Caryn Long.