FNS Documents & Resources

The purpose of Farm to Food Bank Projects is to (a) reduce food waste at the agricultural production, processing, or distribution level through the donation of food, (b) provide food to individuals in need, and (c) build relationships between agricultural producers, processors, and distributors and emergency feeding organizations through the donation of food.

WIC is not designed to be a disaster assistance program, and is, therefore, not considered a first response option for disaster survivors. WIC policies allow state agencies flexibility in program design and administration to support continuation of benefits to participants during times of natural or other disasters. WIC state agencies are encouraged to work with state and local emergency services offices, as well as FEMA, to assist participants during a disaster.

Through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, FNS is able to quickly offer short-term food assistance benefits to families suffering in the wake of a disaster.

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, can be devastating to communities and require a quick response. Schools, child care centers, and summer sites that operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, or the Summer Food Service Program can help minimize disruptions to your family.

Project summaries for the 28 TEFAP state agencies that received fiscal year 2023 Farm to Food Bank project funding.

Project summaries for the 29 TEFAP state agencies that received fiscal year 2022 Farm to Food Bank project funding.

FNS plays a vital role in providing supplemental nutrition assistance when disasters occur by coordinating with state, local, and voluntary organizations to: (1) provide food for shelters and other mass feeding sites, (2) distribute food packages directly to households in specific situations, (3) offer flexibility in nutrition assistance programs’ design and administration to continue providing benefits to participants in need, and (4) approve eligible states’ requests to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

During the second year of Farm to Food Bank Project funding, FNS allocated $3.764 million to 24 TEFAP state agencies that submitted plans to implement Farm to Food Bank Projects. Seventeen of those states received FY 2020 funding and seven are newly participating states. The 24 state agencies that received an award are identified in this resource. 

 

During the inaugural year of Farm to Food Bank Project funding, FNS allocated $3,752,000 amongst the 19 TEFAP state agencies that submitted plans to implement Farm to Food Bank Projects. These 19 state agencies are identified in this resource. 

This fact sheet is for using USDA Food during a human pandemic outbreak.