The Mid-North Food Pantry is fortunate to be a distributor of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) food products. TEFAP is a federal food distribution program that supports feeding organizations serving low-income Americans. Federal assistance takes the form of federally purchased commodities and funding for administrative costs. Food aid and funds are distributed to states using a statutory formula that takes into account poverty and unemployment rates. TEFAP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
TEFAP was authorized by the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983. The legislation directs the USDA to distribute federally purchased commodities, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats and grains, to food banks, food pantries and other emergency feeding organizations that serve people in America who are experiencing food insecurity. TEFAP is a crucial source of nutritious food for the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, and meal programs. This public-private partnership between the federal government, state agencies, and local charitable organizations helps millions of people access the nutritious food they need. TEFAP is the largest source of federal support for food banks.
What is TEFAP?
- TEFAP is a USDA program that assists with supplementing the diets of low-income residents by providing them with emergency nutrition assistance at no cost.
- The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) provides TEFAP foods to local agencies, such as food banks, which in turn distribute the food to soup kitchens and food pantries that directly serve the public.
Who is Eligible for TEFAP?
Residents
- Indiana residents who receive SNAP, WIC, NSLP, CSFP, or have income at or below 185% of current federal poverty income guidelines are eligible for TEFAP.
Organizations
- Eleven Indiana food banks serve as regional hubs to receive USDA foods. Gleaner’s is the Indianapolis TEFAP food bank. They distribute the food through their networks of food pantries and soup kitchens to eligible recipients.
- To be eligible to distribute TEFAP commodities, an organization must be a public agency or private nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the USDA, and adhere to all TEFAP federal and state regulations and policies