Faith-based and community-based organizations 
Food Banks / Food Pantries / Soup Kitchens

Faith-based and community-based organizations (FBOs/CBOs) may apply to participate in Federal nutrition programs and provide benefits directly to individuals, or may serve as informational resources by referring these individuals to other organizations and agencies that participate in the programs. 

FBOs/CBOs that manage or operate afterschool programs may be eligible to participate in the following Federal nutrition programs:
 

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

TEFAP helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost through food pantries and soup kitchens. Under TEFAP, the USDA makes food commodities available to the States, which receive the food and supervise overall distribution of the food commodities to eligible recipient agencies. In general, the eligible recipient agencies are public or private nonprofit organizations that provide food and nutrition assistance to the needy through the distribution of food for home use or the preparation of meals. 

FBOs/CBOs apply to the responsible State Distributing Agency for each state in which they wish to participate.
 

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

CSFP works to improve the health of low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, other new mothers up to one year postpartum, infants, children up to age six, and elderly people at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA commodity foods. Under CSFP, the USDA purchases food and makes it available to the States and to Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), along with funds for administrative costs. The States and ITOs then store the food and distribute it to public and non-profit private local agencies. 

FBOs/CBOs apply to the responsible State Distributing Agency for each state in which they wish to participate. 
 

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

SFMNP provides low-income elderly (at least age 60) recipients with 1) coupons or checks to purchase unprepared, locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs; and, 2) nutrition education. SFMNP grantees select local agencies to provide SFMNP services to recipients. Generally, a SFMNP local agency is a government agency or a private nonprofit organization. 

FBOs/CBOs apply to the responsible State agency for each State in which they wish to participate.

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