Federal budget allocations make a difference for families facing hunger
During the budget and appropriations process, the federal government sets spending for federal programs. Feeding America works to ensure that federal spending and the tax code provide the Feeding America network of food banks the resources they need to help families facing hunger.
Throughout the budget process, Feeding America advocates with the Administration as well as Congress for strong support for federal nutrition programs, and we oppose efforts to cut resources to these vitally needed programs. We also advocate for tax policies that strengthen charitable giving incentives, policies to encourage the donation of surplus wholesome food, and tax incentives like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) that help lift working families out of poverty.
In order to help feed millions of Americans who might otherwise go hungry, we work to ensure that yearly appropriations legislation provides adequate funding for programs that help people in need.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
TEFAP is a means-tested federal nutrition program that purchases and distributes food to low-income Americans through emergency food providers like food banks and in partnership with USDA. TEFAP helps food banks augment the other food they provide to families in need. TEFAP provided around 600 million meals of the 4 billion meals distributed by the Feeding America network last year.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
CSFP is a means-tested program for low-income seniors ages 60 and older. It provides nutritious food to help supplement their diet and it operates in all but one state. Local nonprofits are key anti-hunger partners in CSFP distribution; in 22 states Feeding America network members are the primary distributors for CSFP food.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC provides food to low-income women, infants, and children who are at nutritional risk. The program provides nutritious foods, nutrition and breastfeeding education, and healthcare access in order to safeguard low-income women, infants, and children dealing with, or at risk of developing, nutrition-related health problems.