Food Assistance Programs

The Maine Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Resources is the designated agency for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) a federally supported program that provides donated federal commodities to local voluntary feeding programs across Maine. There are over 250 participating programs in the statewide network. The Food Assistance Program of the Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Resources works in conjunction with the Community Action Programs of Maine to coordinate the distribution of the donated USDA commodities to the local voluntary feeding programs. Along with the acquisition, storage and distribution of the donated federal commodities the Food Assistance Program also provides an outlet for various other products that may be donated for distribution to those of our state that may be in need.

Hunters for the Hungry, a cooperative program between Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and The Food Assistance Program, provides a means for hunters to donate all or a portion of their hunt to a local food pantry. This program has been a boon to our citizens providing meat to those who may no longer be able to hunt, to those who have a medical necessity of having natural low fat meat and to others who visit their local emergency feeding organization. Those wishing more information on this program may call toll free 1/888-4DEER-ME.

A study by the Maine Coalition for Food Security concluded that the "likelihood of experiencing hunger or the risk of hunger is directly related to income." As family income goes down, the likelihood of being hungry goes up. Low-income families experience hunger throughout the year. Parents frequently shield their children from the impact of hunger by denying themselves food so that their children will have enough food to eat. Children living in households that experience hunger, or that are at risk of hunger, are more likely to experience health or school-related problems than children in households, which are not hungry. Federal food programs provide important benefits to many of Maine's needy and hungry, but because of budget limitations and restrictive eligibility criteria, federal programs alone cannot be relied on to effectively end hunger in Maine. Personal and community involvement are necessary if we are to impact hunger in Maine. Maine's needy and hungry households rely on many coping strategies in their attempts to feed their children. One is to turn local voluntary feeding programs such as soup kitchens, food pantries and temporary shelters. These voluntary programs get minimal support to do their work. The soup kitchens and food pantries in your community are voluntary organizations that provide great benefits to the needy and hungry individuals and families of your area. These programs need your help. They need food, money and volunteers to continue and to improve the services they provide.

The Maine Department of Agriculture and the Maine Emergency Food Assistance Program is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Read the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement. (this will open in a separate window)

Find a list of programs in your area by County.

Commissioner's Office

Food Assistance Programs