USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs

Find out about the programs and services that increase food security and reduce hunger through access to affordable, healthy food and nutrition education.

Learn about the FNS programs that strengthen the American nutrition safety net by distributing high quality, American-grown foods, including:

• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides nutritious commodity foods that supplement diets 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.
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides commodity foods to low-income households living on Indian reservations and to Native American families residing in designated areas near reservations.
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) makes commodity foods available to states, which work with selected local agencies to provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to low-income Americans.

Discover the guidelines, regulations, and educational materials for the FNS programs that provide healthy food to children, including:

• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides nutritious meals and snacks to child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes. New! Web-based interactive food buyers guide
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides free fresh fruits and vegetables in selected low-income elementary schools nationwide.
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides participating school districts and independent schools cash subsidies and donated commodities for each meal they serve. Recipients must serve lunches that meet federal requirements and offer free or reduced price lunches to eligible children.
• School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides cash assistance to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions.
• Special Milk Program (SMP) reimburses participating schools and institutions for each half pint of milk served.
• Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that low-income children continue receiving nutritious meals when school is not in session.

Access resources used by staff working with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

Find information for applicants, recipients, and retailers about this safety net that provides eligible, low-income families with monthly benefits for purchasing food. .

Find information on a program that safeguards the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 by providing nutritious foods, information on healthy eating, and health care referrals.

• Use the WIC Prescreening Tool to determine eligibility for WIC benefits.
• Learn about the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which provides locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants.

Learn how low-income seniors can receive coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs.

Access training and education materials, technical assistance, and state resources for professionals working with the Child Nutrition Programs.

Understand the role of FNS nutrition assistance programs in this effort to address long-neglected challenges.

This page contains links to food safety resources that may be helpful to school nutrition and child care employees.