The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

TEFAP stands for “The Emergency Food Assistance Program,” a federal food distribution program that provides emergency food assistance at no cost to low-income Americans, including elderly people. 

Through TEFAP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases a variety of nutritious, high-quality foods and makes those items available to State Distributing Agencies, such as food banks. Local organizations, such as food pantries, soup kitchens, and other emergency feeding organizations, distribute USDA foods to eligible recipients for household consumption or to use them to prepare and serve meals in a congregate setting.

Check the income guideline below to see if you qualify for TEFAP.

Individuals and families needing food but not meeting income guidelines are provided a "pantry box" that does not contain USDA food items.