Food Stamp Program | National School Lunch Program
School Breakfast Program | Summer Food Service Program
WIC | CACF | TEFAP | CFNP

History/Purpose
TEFAP was first authorized to distribute surplus commodities as the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program in 1981. The 1988 Hunger Prevention Act required USDA to purchase additional commodities for low-income households and local emergency feeding organizations. Under the 1990 farm bill, the program was renamed The Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Benefits/Participation
TEFAP provides USDA commodities to states, who distribute the food through local emergency food providers. Available foods vary depending on market conditions.

An estimated 3.8 million households were served by TEFAP in FY 1997. In 1996, more than 117 million pounds of food, worth more than $140 million, was distributed.

Eligibility
Each state determines criteria for household eligibility, and may adjust income criteria based on need in the state. Eligibility criteria may include participation in existing food or other assistance programs for which income is considered as a basis for eligibility.

Funding
In 1997, total federal funding for TEFAP was $179,311,000.