The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): TEFAP provides USDA commodities and grant funding to states to distribute food to low-income populations through local emergency food providers (food banks, soup kitchens, food pantries, kids’ cafes, summer food, afterschool and other feeding programs). Food commodities provided through this program help to generate private charitable donations that increase the amount of food available to those who are unable to obtain an adequate supply of food for themselves and their families.

• Message: Provide funding at full authorization level of $100 million for TEFAP commodity storage and distribution grants for FY2010.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): The CSFP provides food packages to an estimated caseload of 472,000 low income seniors 60 years or older and pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to six years old. Seniors comprise most (some 93%) of participants and receive food packages designed to meet their special dietary needs. The CSFP operates in 32 states, the District of Columbia and two tribal areas. Six states (DE, NJ, GA, AR, OK, UT) have plans that have been approved but appropriations have not been sufficient to fund programs in these states.

• Message: Appropriate $203 million for FY2010 for the CSFP to support a caseload of 621,327 in currently participating states and new states with USDA-approved state plans.

Emerson/Leland Hunger Fellowship Program: Since 1994, Congress has funded the Bill Emerson/Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowships, enhancing the effectiveness of local, state and national anti-hunger and anti-poverty groups, government agencies and faith-based organizations by the research, analysis and policy work conducted by the Fellows.

• Message: Appropriate $4 million for FY2010 funding for this important program.