The Emergency Food Assistance Program


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THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP)

INFORMATION FOR LEAD AGENCIES AND SUB AGENCIES



The goal of TEFAP is to provide emergency food providers throughout the state with the necessary framework to keep food assistance distributions flexible and responsive to lower-income Washingtonian's needs, while equitably distributing food commodities throughout Washington. 
Find information you need to effectively run The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This manual contains information and procedures for Lead Agencies and their Sub Agencies, with an effective start date of October 1, 2023.
Find a complete list of forms and publications for Lead Agencies and their Sub Agencies.
Our current State Plan was submitted December 2024 and awaiting approval by USDA.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about TEFAP.

Food Assistance Programs

Food Ordering and Distribution

USDA Foods Price Lists

A new price list is effective October 1st of each year. 
2025-2026 USDA Foods Price List
2024-2025 USDA Foods Price List
2023-2024 USDA Foods Price List 


USDA Foods Complaints

Use this form if a client or food pantry makes a complaint about USDA Foods received. 

Civil Rights and Nondiscrimination

Civil Rights Compliance

All agencies receiving TEFAP and CSFP funding or USDA Foods must provide annual civil rights training to their staff and volunteers. WSDA Lead Agencies and Sub Agencies need to use the Civil Rights instructions and checklists below to meet this requirement. 

Civil Rights Training Instructions [Russian] [Spanish] [Ukrainian]
Civil Rights Checklist for Frontline Staff, Volunteers, and Managers [Russian] [Spanish] [Ukrainian]
Civil Rights Checklist for Non-Frontline Staff and Volunteers [Russian] [Spanish] [Ukrainian]

 

Nondiscrimination Policy, Publications, and Complaints

USDA And Justice For All Poster
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
USDA Food and Nutrition Services Policy Memo FD-113
USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Instructions and Form (AD 3027)
State Discrimination Complaint Information

Ways to Connect with Food Assistance

Lead Agencies Only

Open Office Hours
The Regional Representative Team holds regularly scheduled virtual open office hours on the first Tuesday of the month. Lead Agencies are invited to ask program questions, network, and share challenges and opportunities with FA staff and counterparts across the state.

Sub Agencies participating in FA programs should contact their Lead Agency with program related questions. 


Lead Agency Check-In Meetings
Food Assistance holds regularly scheduled check-in meetings for Lead Agencies. FA staff and stakeholders provide program updates, reminders, and seek input. This is one of the primary avenues for Lead Agencies to ask program questions, network and share challenges and opportunities with FA staff and their peers. It is a great opportunity for Lead Agency staff regardless of experience level to remain up to date on program development and changes. These meetings are typically held the first Friday of the month. If you are a Lead Agency and want to join, contact foodassistance@agr.wa.gov or your regional representative. 



Lead Agencies and Sub Agencies

Food Order Workgroup Meetings
Looking for information about Entitlement and Bonus orders? Join our Inventory and Logistics team at the next Food Order Workgroup meeting. To request a meeting invite, please contact James Scovel, james.scovel@agr.wa.gov or John Carney, john.carney@agr.wa.gov

General Focus Check-In Meetings
WSDA's Food Assistance team hosts monthly check-in meetings to provide up-to-date information, resources, and support for hunger relief organizations. This virtual meeting is hosted on Microsoft Teams and is open to anyone who wants to learn more. To find out when the next meeting is or read the notes from previous meetings, please visit our General Focus Meeting Information page

Food Assistance Advisory Committee Meetings
The Food Assistance Advisory Committee (FAAC), which is part of the Washington Food Coalition (WFC), plays an important role in shaping how WSDA Food Assistance programs provide the most value to the food assistance provider network and to those whom they serve. The FAAC meets a minimum of three times a year and as needed by request of the Chair of the FAAC. All providers, including food banks, food pantries, tribal voucher providers and other community partners have been encouraged to attend. The WFC posts notes and information while maintaining the email and invite lists for Committee meetings.
 
Contact the WFC at info@wafoodcoalition.org to learn more and inquire about committee membership. 

Questions or Comments?
Program Phone: 360-725-5640
Program Email: foodassistance@agr.wa.gov
All Program Contacts: https://agr.wa.gov/services/food-access/contact-us
Regional Rep Map

Additional Resources

Lead Agency Contacts

Find Contact Information for TEFAP Lead Agencies Here

Program Data

Looking for Program Data? Visit our Hunger in WA page.  
Find Resources Here

Recipes and Nutrition Resources

Want help in supporting your clients in making healthier food choices? We've compiled tons of resources for cooking on a budget, including kid-friendly recipes, recipes in Spanish, as well as dietary guidelines from the USDA and additional nutrition guidance for older adults, pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.
Find Resources Here

Food Purchasing Resources

Are you a hunger relief organization wanting to learn more about purchasing local food for your program? Are you interested in connecting with local farmers and/or food distributors in your region? Visit our Food Purchasing page for helpful tips, best practices, and resources to help you find success in making local purchases. 
Find Resources Here

Donations

If you are considering donating perishable food to a food bank, food pantry, or meal program, either as an individual or as a business, or you are an emergency feeding organization who is unsure of what your agency can accept, please review the food donation guides at the link below. If you have a specific question as a donor, contact your local hunger relief agency or county health department for more information. 
Find Resources Here

Helpful Links

Tax Exempt Organization Search (IRS)
RCW 43.23.290
System for Award Management (SAM)
Secretary of State Corporation and Charities Search (SOS)
Statewide Vendor Information (SWV)
Washington Food Coalition (WFC)

 

TEFAP Information from USDA FNS

TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income people by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. USDA provides 100% American-grown USDA Foods and administrative funds to states to operate TEFAP. States provide the food to local agencies that they have selected, usually food banks, which in turn distribute the food to soup kitchens and food pantries that directly serve the public. Federal regulations covering TEFAP can be found in 7 CFR Parts 250 and 251

The USDA FNS Documents and Resources page provides a comprehensive list of Policy Memos, Fact Sheets, Instructions, Nutrition Education, Technical Assistance, and guidance documents regarding TEFAP

The following links provide more information about the foods available through TEFAP:
USDA Foods Available List for TEFAP
Halal Foods in TEFAP
Kosher Foods in TEFAP
USDA Foods Product Information Sheets and Recipes
USDA Foods Product Specifications
 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.