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Emergency Food Assistance Program (Food Commodities)
35, 7 U.S.C.
7501 et seq.; Hunger Prevention Act of 1988, Public Law 100-435, 102 Stat.
1647; Public Law 101-624, 104 Stat.
3359; Public Law 104-193, 110 Stat.
2105; Public Law 104-127, 110 Stat.
1029;
330.
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
Provided commodities to State and local agencies for distribution to needy persons for use at home or for use at sites which serve prepared meals.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The food commodities are provided to State agencies that are responsible for administering the distribution of the commodities within the States.
Commodities can only be used to provide food assistance to needy persons.
Commodities may be provided for household consumption or for congregate feeding.
The State agency must give priority to local organizations that provide nutrition assistance to relieve situations of emergency and distress.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State agencies that are designated as distributing agencies by the Governor, legislature or other authority may receive and distribute these donated food commodities.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Needy individuals. They may be homeless, unemployed, welfare recipients, or low-income. The State agency must establish income based eligibility criteria to ensure the commodities are provided to the needy.
Credentials/Documentation
Needy individuals receiving commodities for home consumption must establish eligibility to participate in the program on the basis of State eligibility standards. All individuals seeking food assistance at sites which serve prepared meals are presumed to be eligible to receive meals.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
All States are eligible to participate, no applications necessary. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102, as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3016. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedures
Food commodities are allocated among the States on the basis of a legislatively-mandated formula that takes into account each State's relative share of the National number of persons with income below the poverty level (60 percent) and of unemployed persons (40 percent).
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, Public Law 98-8, 97 Stat. 35, 7 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.; Hunger Prevention Act of 1988, Public Law 100-435, 102 Stat. 1647; Public Law 101-624, 104 Stat. 3359; Public Law 104-193, 110 Stat. 2105; Public Law 104-127, 110 Stat. 1029; Public Law 107-171, 116 Stat. 330.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Federal/State agreements are ongoing and amended as necessary. Individuals receiving food for home consumption are recertified periodically. Persons receiving commodities in the form of meals from sites which serve prepared meals are presumed to be eligible.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Commodities are allocated among the States based on a legislatively-mandated formula. The allocation formula is based in part (60%) on the number of people whose income is below the poverty level and in part (40%) on the number unemployed persons. Including amounts converted into administrative funds, $130,640,006 was available Nationally to purchase commodities in 2007.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Inventory reports on the FCS-155.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," State and local governments, and non-profit organizations that expend Federal financial assistance of $500,000 or more within any fiscal year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a program specific audit made for that year. Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Normal records accounting for receipts and dispersals; retention required for 3 years following the close of the fiscal year or until any outstanding audit, claim, or litigation is settled.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3505-0-1-605.
Obigations
FY 07 $130,640,006; FY 08 est $140,000,000; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Range was $22,156 to $15,577,443, while the Average was $2,375,272.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
7 CFR Part 251; refer to 7 CFR Part 250 for applicable provisions on commodity handling.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Food and Nutrition Service Regional Office contacts listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Food Distribution Division, FNS, USDA, Room 500, Park Office Center, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. Contact: Cathie McCullough, Director. Telephone: (703) 305-2680.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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