Commodity Food Distribution Program
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
By law, the
United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service acquires
agricultural commodities through price support programs, surplus removal, and
direct purchases from domestic markets. These commodities are distributed
through the USDA, Food Distribution Program to improve the nutritional status of
children and adults and to assist and strengthen the American Agricultural
market.
In
Nevada, the Food Distribution Program is administered by the Department of
Administration, Purchasing Division’s Food Distribution Program (FDP). The
Nevada FDP provides administrative support, storage and transportation for the
distribution of commodity foods to recipient agencies.
The
Nevada FDP administers the commodity assistance programs according to USDA
regulations and state policies as listed below.
The
program provides basic and processed commodity foods for the National School
Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Summer Food Service
Program (SFSP), and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). All recipient
agencies must be tax exempt and comply with USDA’s nutritional standards.
Commodities are allocated according to a fair share basis based on eligible
reimbursable meals served.
The
State Processing Program has the authority to convert raw bulk USDA foods into
more convenient processed end products such as chicken nuggets by entering into
agreements with commercial food processors. Most of these products go to
schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. Through the State
Processing Program, recipient agencies can provide more varied and higher
quality meals at a reduced cost.
Charitable Institutions (CI)
Commodities from USDA surplus stocks are provided as available to non-profit
charitable institutions that serve meals to needy persons regularly.
Correctional institutions that include a rehabilitative component in their
operation are also eligible to receive limited products.
The
Nutrition Service Incentive Program (Formerly NPE)
Commodity foods are provided as an option to cash to the meals-on-wheels program
operated by Senior Citizen Centers throughout the state through the Older
American Act.
The
Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The
TEFAP provides non-profit distribution sites commodities for redistribution to
low-income families. This food is for home consumption and is free, but
recipients must meet state and federal guidelines. Soup kitchens and other
non-profit organizations that prepare and serve meals for needy individuals can
also receive food at no cost.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR)
The
FDPIR provides commodity foods to low-income households, including the elderly
residing on Indian reservations in the state. This is an alternative to the
Food Stamp Program because many households do not have easy access to food
stores.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program
(CSFP)
The CSFP works to improve the health of
low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, other new mothers up to one year
postpartum, infants, children up to age six, and elderly people age 60 years and
older. CSFP participants must meet federal and state eligibility criteria in
order to receive monthly food packages.
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition
Program (SFMNP)
The SFMNP provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for
eligible foods at Nevada certified farmers’ markets. The purpose of this program
is to increase the consumption, production, and distribution of fresh, locally
grown fruits and vegetables and to supplement the nutritional needs for Nevada
seniors. Seniors must meet income criteria established by the federal
government.
Disaster Feeding (DF)
Provide USDA commodities to disaster organizations for group feeding and as
necessary for household distribution in the event of a disaster. To return
to the Food Distribution Program Home Page click -
HERE |
