For over 20 years, The Emergency Feeding Assistance Program, TEFAP, has provided donated commodities to needy citizens of South Carolina.There are approximately 450 sites providing eligible households with donatedcommodities in South Carolina.
What is TEFAP?
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a Federal food distribution program. TEFAP provides nutritional assistance to relieve situations of emergency and distress by providing foods to needy persons, including low-income and unemployed people. Under TEFAP, commodity foods are made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to states.
When and why did TEFAP start?
TEFAP was first authorized as the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program in 1981 to distribute surplus commodities to households. The name was changed to The Emergency Food Assistance Program under the 1990 farm bill. The program was designed to help reduce Federal food inventories and storage costs while assisting the needy. Stocks of some foods held in surplus had been depleted by 1988. Therefore, the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988 authorized funds to be appropriated for the purchase of commodities specifically for TEFAP. Foods acquired with appropriated funds are in addition to any surplus commodities donated to TEFAP by USDA.
How does the program work?
In South Carolina, the Department of Social Services (SCDSS) is the agency responsible for administering TEFAP. The SCDSS contracts with the South Carolina Food Bank Association (SCFBA) who is designated to coordinate the program at the local level throughout South Carolina. The USDA offers various foods to the SCDSS. The SCDSS orders these foods and ships them to theFood Banks. Food Banks are located regionally throughout the state. These donated commodities are offered toFood Banks according to a formula that identifies the percentage of person eligible for TEFAP. The Food Banks (FBs) in conjunction with the SCDSS have developed a network of Eligible Recipient Agencies (ERAs).
Who is an Eligible Recipient Agency?
An ERA can be a Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen, or a Homeless Shelter. All ERAs must be public or private non-profit tax-exempt organizations. An ERA is responsible for distribution of these foods to needy persons.
Who is eligible to receive commodities?
Any individual or family participating in one or all of the following programs:
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI)
- The Food Stamp Program (FSP)
A family in which the total household income does not exceed 150% of federal poverty guidelines may also be eligible.
What other food and nutrition assistance can TEFAP recipients get?
Many TEFAP households may be eligible to get food stamps. Low-income people can also get food and nutrition assistance through a dozen other USDA programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). In addition, many low-income senior citizens participating in TEFAP may be eligible to get food stamps under the Food Stamp Program.
Arehomeless people eligible for TEFAP food?
Yes. Homeless people, including low-income senior citizens, can benefit from the program through organizations like soup kitchens that provide prepared meals, or food pantries that distribute commodities for home use. Homeless people must meet State income eligibility requirements in order to receive food for home use.
What commodities are available?
FRUITS
- CANNED, DRIED AND FRESH
- FRUIT JUICES
VEGETABLES
MEAT, POULTRY AND SEAFOOD
- BEEF, CHICKEN, TURKEY, PORK AND TUNA
- CANNED AND FROZEN
OTHER COMMODITIES
Note: These are some of the foods that are available under TEFAP. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) determines the availability of foods.
South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) operates TEFAP in accordance with U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, nation origin, sex, age or disability.
