The Farm Bill & TEFAP
What is the Farm Bill?
The Farm Bill is an important piece of legislation that sets the country’s food policy for the next half-decade. First enacted to help agriculture producers struggling during the Great Depression, the Farm Bill has now expanded to be the largest commitment that
The Farm Bill impacts all Americans and helps determine the cost and availability of foods, how crops are grown, and conservation efforts. Over 70% of the farm bill is dedicated to nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
In September 2023, 2018’s $428 billion Farm Bill will expire. Due to its incredible importance, many partners including those within the agriculture community, state and local governments, and anti-hunger organizations, are working with Congress to establish priorities for the next Farm Bill and ensure that nutrition programs like TEFAP are supported to continue to support Americans facing food insecurity.
What is TEFAP?
TEFAP is crucial to our food shelf! If it was not for the TEFAP and USDA program that is offered, we would not be able to provide such a nutritious assortment of food for families as well as the food choice options and amount per household.
Amber D., Outreach Emergency Services & Food Shelf Manager, Semcac
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps Americans access food items at no cost to them that will help keep food on their tables when faced with food insecurity. Originally started in 1981 as a one-time distribution of cheese due to a surplus, the TEFAP program was expanded in the late 1980s due to its benefits to both America’s farmers and low-income households.
TEFAP first starts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA purchases a variety of nutritious U.S. grown and produced foods and makes those purchased commodities available to each state. In addition to purchased goods, the USDA also provides TEFAP providers with bonus products. These products are chosen at the discretion of the USDA to support struggling food products and industries. The amount of TEFAP product each state receives is determined by the state’s unemployment rate and poverty level.
In Minnesota, Hunger Solutions Minnesota partners with the State of Minnesota’s Office of Economic Opportunity at the Department of Human Services (DHS OEO) to distribute TEFAP goods. Hunger Solutions and DHS OEO work with Minnesota’s seven food banks to make sure the food is distributed to food shelves, tribal nations, and meal programs. These community-based organizations then work to get the TEFAP goods directly to households in need.
The USDA offers a variety of food products to the state, including fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats and other proteins, dairy products, shelf-stable groceries, and cooking/baking items. DHS OEO and HSM work together using a variety of resources to determine which of those products to order for all of Minnesota.
Who can get TEFAP?
TEFAP foods are distributed to organizations that provide food assistance to low-income Minnesotans, like food shelves, tribal nations, or programs that do congregate dining. Those organizations and programs distribute the TEFAP product to Minnesotans in need.
Organizations that distribute the TEFAP products are required to provide TEFAP foods to any households under a set income guideline. In Minnesota, TEFAP products must be made available to any Minnesotans with income under 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (under $79,500/year for a household of 4), or if households are enrolled in or receive assistance from any programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program), Section 8, Free and Reduced-Price School Meals, or others.
If I didn’t have the option and the choices that we do with TEFAP foods, I can say without a doubt that we would be running at half or less options in the food shelf and budgets would be very tight due to the cost of food right now. I cannot speak for other food shelves, but I am sure if asked, most of them would feel the same way. TEFAP is an important and much needed part to what keeps our doors open the community fed.
Amber D., Outreach Emergency Services & Food Shelf Manager, Semcac
Why is TEFAP important?
TEFAP is a crucial part of the emergency food system. TEFAP product distributed at food shelves must be made available to anyone whose income is at or under 300% of federal poverty, and must be made available despite the geographical boundaries that are sometimes set at food shelves or food distribution centers. TEFAP product served at congregate meal sites is available to all, regardless of federal poverty level. Meal sites who serve TEFAP foods are not allowed to focus on specific in-need groups, like homeless or senior citizens, and must be made available to anyone who shows up in need of a meal. This allows low-income Minnesotans to not only access food when they are in need, but allows them a dignified and fair experience, removed from sometimes strict and burdensome restrictions.
For many community-based food shelves, TEFAP products are some of the only no-cost food they are able to source. Mary food shelves purchase food from their food bank or rely on unpredictable food rescue from partnering grocery stores. For food shelves without the means to purchase food, TEFAP food products are some of the only foods they have available to distribute outside of donated goods. TEFAP product is no-cost, reliable and predictable for food shelves, allowing them to be sure their shelves are stocked for Minnesotans who need their help.