What is CSFP?
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low- income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. Children who were certified and receiving CSFP benefits as of February 6, 2014, can continue to receive assistance until they are no longer eligible under the program rules in effect on February 6, 2014.
As required by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79), women, infants, and children who apply to participate in CSFP on February 7, 2014, or later cannot be certified to participate in the program. Such individuals may be eligible for other nutrition assistance programs, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other nutrition assistance programs.
CSFP is administered at the Federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Through CSFP, USDA distributes both food and administrative funds to participating States and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs). CSFP food packages do not provide a complete diet, but rather are good sources of the nutrients typically lacking in the diets of the beneficiary population.
The program is authorized under Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of
Federal regulations covering CSFP can be found in 7 CFR Parts 247 and 250.
An average of almost 676,000 people each month participated in the program in fiscal year (FY) 2018.
How does the program operate?
State agencies that administer CSFP are typically departments of health, social services, education, or agriculture. State agencies store CSFP food and distribute it to public and nonprofit 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 healthcare programs, such as WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare.
How much does CSFP cost?
For FY 2019, Congress appropriated $222.891 million for CSFP. Annual appropriations may be supplemented by unspent funds carried over from the previous fiscal year, if available.
What are the requirements to get food through CSFP?
CSFP participants must reside in one of the States or on one of the Indian reservations that participate in CSFP.
States establish income limits for the elderly that are at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. States also establish income limits for the children who remain on the program that are at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, but not below 100 percent of these guidelines.
States may establish local residency requirements based on designated service areas (but may not require a minimum period of residency). States may also require that participants be at nutritional risk, as determined by a physician or local agency staff.
Is this program available in every State?
CSFP is authorized to operate in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The following ITOs are also authorized to participate in CSFP: Oglala Sioux (SD), Red Lake (MN), Seminole Nation (OK), Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians (CA), and Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe (ND).
What foods are provided to participants?
Food packages include a variety of foods, such as nonfat dry and ultra high-temperature fluid milk, juice, farina, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans, canned meat, poultry, or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables.
For a list of foods available for CSFP, visit
https://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp/csfp-foods- available.
Who should I contact for more information about CSFP?
For more information about this program, contact your CSFP State agency: https://www.fns.usda.gov/contacts.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cus t.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
