Emergency Food Assistance Program (Food Commodities) (10.569)

 

Program

10.569 Emergency Food Assistance Program (Food Commodities)

 

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Food and Nutrition Service

 

Authorization

Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, Public Law 98-8, 97 Stat. 35, 7 U.S.C 7501; Hunger Prevention Act of 1988, Public Law 100-435, 102 Stat. 1647; Public Law 101-624, 104 Stat. 3359; Public Law 104-193, 110 Stat. 2105; Public Law 104-127, 110 Stat. 1029; Public Law 107-171, 116 Stat. 330.

 

Program Number

10.569

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To help supplement the diets of low-income persons by making donated foods available to the State agencies that are responsible for the distribution of commodities within the States.

 

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Commodities can only be used to provide food assistance to needy persons. Commodities may be provided for household consumption or for congregate feeding. The State agency must give priority to local organizations that provide nutrition assistance to relieve situations of emergency and distress.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State agencies that are designated as distributing agencies by the Governor, legislature or other authority may receive and distribute these donated food commodities. States can distribute these foods to eligible recipient agencies, such as food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and other eligible agencies.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Low-income and needy individuals, including persons that are homeless, unemployed, underemployed, or receiving public assistance. The State agency must establish income based eligibility criteria to ensure the commodities are provided to the needy. Persons interesting in receiving TEFAP should contact their State agency (http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/SdaContacts.htm) for more information on how to access the program.

Credentials/Documentation

Needy individuals receiving commodities for home consumption must establish eligibility to participate in the program on the basis of State eligibility standards. All individuals seeking food assistance at sites which serve prepared meals are presumed to be eligible to receive meals. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. All States are eligible to participate; the State does not need to complete an application.

Award Procedure

Food commodities are allocated among the States on the basis of a legislatively-mandated formula that takes into account each State's relative share of the National number of persons with income below the poverty level (60 percent) and of unemployed persons (40 percent).

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Federal/State agreements are ongoing and amended as necessary. Individuals receiving food for home consumption are recertified periodically. Persons receiving commodities in the form of meals from sites which serve prepared meals are presumed to be eligible.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula: Title Agriculture, Chapter 7, Part 251. Commodities are allocated among the States based on a legislatively-mandated formula. The allocation formula is based in part (60%) on the number of people whose income is below the poverty level and in part (40%) on the number unemployed persons.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

None. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Normal records accounting for receipts and dispersals; retention required for 3 years following the close of the fiscal year or until any outstanding audit, claim, or litigation is settled.

 

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Provided commodities to State and local agencies for distribution to needy persons for use at home or for use at sites which serve prepared meals. Fiscal Year 2009: Provided commodities to State and local agencies for distribution to needy persons for use at home or for use at sites which serve prepared meals. Fiscal Year 2010: Provided commodities to State and local agencies for distribution to needy persons for use at home or for use at sites which serve prepared meals.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-3505-0-1-605.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $100,000,000; FY 10 est $0. (Formula Grants) FY 08 $189,935,658; FY 09 est $250,000,000; FY 10 est $248,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In Fiscal Year 2009, the range of awards was from $40,618 to $30,847,887; the average award was $4,507,596. For the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, the range of awards was $16,343 to $12,411,681; the average award was $1,813,636.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

7 CFR Part 251; refer to 7 CFR Part 250 for applicable provisions on commodity handling.

 

Related Programs

10.551 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; 10.568 Emergency Food Assistance Program (Administrative Costs)

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices.

Headquarters Office

Cathie McCullough USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Food Distribution Division,
Room 500, Park Office Center
3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 Email: cathie.mccullough@fns.usda.gov Phone: 703-305-2680 Fax: 703-305-2964

Web Site Address

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/tefap/default.htm.

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.