TEFAP Keeps Food Banks Stocked- What Happens If The Program Is Underfunded?
As the former Advocacy and Public Policy Director for the Oklahoma Food Banks, I’ve seen firsthand how strong public and private sector partnerships can make a difference in communities. When government works hand-in-hand with nonprofit organizations and the charitable food assistance network, dollars can be stretched further, and resources maximized to distribute food quickly and efficiently to people struggling with hunger. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a prime example of such a partnership and is the cornerstone program for food banks and their partners across the country.
TEFAP is a federal program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under TEFAP, USDA purchases nutritious, high-quality foods, and makes those foods available to food banks.

TEFAP was first authorized in 1981 to distribute foods purchased by USDA to support agriculture markets for household use. The program was designed to help reduce federal food inventories while assisting low-income persons. In 1988, the Hunger Prevention Act authorized funding for the purchase of foods specifically for TEFAP.
Here are five reasons TEFAP is critical to food banks:
1. TEFAP foods make up about 20% of the total food distributed by the Feeding America network of food banks.
Currently, TEFAP accounts for a significant portion of the total food distributed by food banks and their nationwide network of 60,000 meal programs and pantries. In fact, almost one in five meals distributed by all local hunger-relief agencies in 2017 was moved, stored, and served because of TEFAP- and as much as half of food distributed in rural communities.
2. TEFAP provides highly nutritious foods for food banks.
Food banks rely heavily on donations, resulting in an unpredictable inventory, often made up of shelf-stable pantry staples. TEFAP provides healthy foods that are more challenging for food banks to procure, like fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy. Food bank clients consistently report wanting access to healthier foods, and TEFAP helps food banks provide a more well-rounded diet to people struggling with hunger.
3. TEFAP foods are healthier than the average American diet.
According to USDA’s Healthy Eating Index, TEFAP foods achieved a significantly higher score than the overall U.S. food supply. TEFAP foods scored 89 out of 100 on the scale, while the overall food supply scored 55 out of 100. TEFAP foods are a quality investment to ensure healthy food gets to people who need it.
4. TEFAP allows food banks to serve people who don’t quality for SNAP.
Many people end up at food bank doors because they don’t qualify for SNAP. In fact, as many as 15.5 million food insecure people don’t qualify to receive SNAP benefits, leaving them heavily reliant on food banks to help put food on the table. Food banks cannot meet the staggering need for food assistance without TEFAP.

5. TEFAP is an effective public-private partnership.
TEFAP foods are purchased from U.S. farmers and producers and made available to people in need through food banks. Since food banks focus on distributing food as their core mission, they are efficient in delivering food to people in need and maximizing resources throughout their distribution networks. The distribution of TEFAP through food banks represents an efficient, effective, nationwide partnership between the federal government, agricultural producers, and private charities.
This fall, Congress will authorize new TEFAP spending levels in the Farm Bill. It is imperative that in the final conference of the bill, TEFAP is appropriately funded to help end hunger in America. For more information on how to reach out to your Member of Congress and voice the importance of TEFAP, visit Feeding America.
Effie Craven led government relations and advocacy efforts at the Oklahoma Food Banks for three years. She now works as part of Feeding America’s Washington, D.C. team, sharing the stories of those facing hunger with our representatives on Capitol Hill.
