The Emergency Food Assistance Program

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federally funded program that assists with supplementing the diets of low-income Americans, including the elderly, by providing them with emergency nutrition assistance at not cost.  

Under TEFAP, commodity foods are made available by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the District of Columbia.  The District of Columbia provides  these 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. The distribution of TEFAP food occurs in various ways:

• Food Pantries distribute food packages containing both TEFAP foods and privately donated foods to eligible individuals who have demonstrated emergency food needs.  Organizations that distribute food for home use, must determine the household eligibility by applying the income standards set by the USDA each year.  Households must re-apply for benefits each year once the income eligibility guidelines are published.

• Soup Kitchens and homeless shelters use TEFAP food in the preparation of hot and cold meals which are served to needy individuals.  Organizations that provide prepared meals must demonstrate that they serve predominately needy individuals in order to be eligible to receive commodities.  Recipients of prepared meals are considered to be needy and are not subject to a means test.

To be eligible to distribute TEFAP commodities, an organization must be a public or private non-profit 501(c)3  organization.  The Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) is the distributing organization, contracted by the District of Columbia,  to operate the TEFAP program and distribute commodities to agencies that operate feeding and nutrition programs for eligible DC residents.  For information on being a recipient agency or locations serving the District of Columbia contact the Capital Area Food Bank on (202) 526-5344.  

OSSE WNS School Programs administers the TEFAP Program for the District of Columbia.

If you would like further information or to speak with someone about the TEFAP program, please contact the OSSE WNS office at (202) 727-1839.
Information can also be found on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) website.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy,  institutions participating in these programs are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

If you require this information in an alternative format (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD).
If you require information about this program, activity, or facility in a language other than English, contact the USDA agency responsible for the program or activity, or any USDA office.

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call, toll free, (866) 632-9992 (Voice).  TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Also, the District of Columbia Human Rights Act approved December 13, 1977 (DC Law 2-38; DC Official Code §2-1402.11(2006), as amended) States the following:
Pertinent section of DC Code § 2-1402.11:
It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice to do any of the following acts, wholly or partially for a discriminatory reason based upon the actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, or political affiliation of any individual. To file a complaint alleging discrimination on one of these bases, please contact the District of Columbia’s Office of Human Rights at (202) 727-3545.