Food Fight

Strengthening TEFAP for Greater Impact

Capital Area Food Bank, one of six food banks in Feeding America’s network serving three states, has gained valuable insights into the administration of the TEFAP program across state lines. The 40-year-old program, which distributes U.S. farm-grown commodities to food insecure Americans through food banks, grants states significant authority in determining program eligibility, participation and requirements.

According to Adam LaRose, the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Capital Area Food Bank, the program’s framework is articulated in a few simple lines, giving states considerable autonomy in shaping their guidelines. This state-focused approach has resulted in inequitable access to the program nationwide.

Disparities exist in income requirements, ranging from 130% to 400% of the federal poverty guideline, causing complications for individuals who operate across state lines. Some states mandate the presentation of identification and physical signatures for food receipt, while others do not. Income verification varies, with some states requiring proof and others relying on self-declaration of need.

TEFAP has four key eligibility requirements : name, household size, address, and income declaration. Food banks overwhelmingly support legislation that would limit additional state-imposed requirements. 94% of food banks surveyed endorse self-declaration of need without income guidelines, while 88% support the elimination of signature requirements.

Other challenges stemming from TEFAP‘s state-based structure include difficulties in splitting orders across state lines, inadequate administrative funding and a high number of cancellations. A Feeding America report estimated that from January 2019 to March 2022, respondent food banks were unable to provide or had to acquire approximately 50 million meals due to cancellations.

LaRose emphasized that administrative burdens and difficult client experiences affect not only interstate food banks but also those serving a single state. Despite these difficulties, food banks aspire to collaborate with state agencies and secure a greater say in the implementation of TEFAP.

To this end, two significant opportunities for food banks lie ahead, the upcoming Farm Bill and the notice of proposed rule-making from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. This notice aims to improve access and parity in several USDA food distribution programs, including TEFAP, CSFP for seniors, and FDPIR for Indian reservations. LaRose anticipates proposed regulations to be announced later in the summer.

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