The Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TEFAP, is a federal nutrition program that moves food from farms to food banks to people facing hunger.

Through TEFAP, the USDA purchases healthy foods—fruits, vegetables and other staples—from U.S. growers and producers. Feeding America network food banks, and other food-distributing organizations, then partner with states to distribute this food to people in need.

The program is a cornerstone of the Feeding America network’s food supply. Last fiscal year, the Feeding America network received 1.24 billion pounds of food from TEFAP, providing over 1 billion meals to people facing hunger.

Partner Agencies that are interested in this program should contact their agency relations coordinator.