November 12, 2025
EFAP and EFAP-Tribal SNAP Response Guidance Memo
To ensure quick and accurate utilization of EFAP and EFAP-Tribal SNAP Response funding, this Guidance Memo should be referenced alongside - not in lieu of - the information provided in the Lead Agency EFAP or EFAP-Tribal SNAP Response amendment.
EFAP and EFAP-Tribal SNAP Response Guidance Memo
Need help finding food or other assistance?
If you or someone you know is struggling to access food, help is available.
211 Washington connects people with local hunger relief resources and other types of assistance, including housing, utility costs, and more. Visit wa211.org to learn more.
The WSDA Food Assistance Program supports communities and lower-income families by improving access to safe, nutritious food. Visit agr.wa.gov/foodnearyou to find food banks, food pantries, and similar resources in your area.
To learn about the status of SNAP benefits, visit the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services website.
What's New?
November 7, 2025
New Press Release from the Governor
Governor Ferguson’s statement on November SNAP benefits beginning to flow to Washington households. Here is the link to the full press release.
November 7, 2025
Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) and EFAP-Tribal SNAP Response Funding
On October 28, 2025, Governor Ferguson directed nearly $2.2 million to support food banks if food stamps (SNAP) were not restored by October 31, 2025. Here is the link to the full press release. WSDA Food Assistance (FA) issued funding through its existing EFAP and EFAP-Tribal agreements on November 4, 2025.
WSDA FA issued 100% of these funds ($2,149,811) to 25 EFAP Lead Agencies/16 EFAP Tribal Agencies that in turn provide food/resources to 470 EFAP/38 EFAP-Tribal community-based food pantries, including pop-ups and mobile food pantries. The primary use of these funds is for the purchase of food to mitigate some of the harms caused by the federal government shutdown and get food to people in need as quickly as possible. EFAP and EFAP-Tribal Lead Agencies are afforded maximum flexibility in determining what will work best for their community.
WSDA FA is providing the EFAP and EFAP-Tribal SNAP Response funding allocations that were issued on November 4, 2025:
EFAP:
October 30, 2025
WSDA Food Assistance Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Client Intake Documents Have Been Revised.
Participating agencies should use these updated documents immediately. Agencies with an alternate intake form must incorporate these changes.
Updated USDA civil rights language has been incorporated into the following documents:
- CSFP Income Eligibility Guidelines [Russian] [Spanish] [Vietnamese]
- CSFP Eligibility Application [Russian] [Spanish] [Vietnamese]
- CSFP Participant Agreement [Russian] [Spanish] [Vietnamese]
- CSFP Notification of Eligibility Determination [Russian] [Spanish] [Vietnamese]
- CSFP Notification of Eligibility Status Change [Russian] [Spanish] [Vietnamese]
Note: People seeking food should reach out to a local participating agency for an application. WSDA FA does not accept or process applications directly.
October 30, 2025
Civil Rights Language Update
WSDA Food Assistance (FA) TEFAP and CSFP annual civil rights trainings for frontline and non-frontline staff, volunteers, and managers have been revised.
- Annual Civil Rights Training Checklist for Frontline Staff, Volunteers, and Managers [Russian] [Spanish] [Ukrainian]
- Annual Civil Rights Training Checklist for Non-Frontline Staff and Volunteers [Russian] [Spanish] [Ukrainian]
October 21, 2025
SFY 2025 EFAP & EFAP-Tribal Data is now available!
WSDA FA invites you to see the updated 10-year summary of EFAP and EFAP-Tribal client data. This data represents Food Assistance's largest collection of emergency food providers across the state.
October 16, 2025
Reduced State Audit Requirements for WSDA FA Programs for All Agreements - Clarifications
WSDA FA recently issued amendments and new agreements that included reduced state audit requirements that became effective 07/01/2025. Since that time, we have received additional questions regarding this change and are providing the following Guidance Memo.
Reduced State Audit Requirements for WSDA FA Programs for All Agreements - Clarifications
October 16, 2025
Inventory Report Virtual Training Coming in November
Our Inventory and Logistics Team will host a virtual training session in November to cover the new features and updates to the TEFAP and CSFP Inventory Reports.
To receive an invite or schedule training for your agency/sub agencies, contact James Scovel, (360) 725-5641, james.scovel@agr.wa.gov or John Carney, (360) 489-2897, john.carney@agr.wa.gov.
October 16, 2025
Updated - TEFAP Client Intake Forms
In a continuation of our work to reduce client access barriers we have made the following changes on both intake documents:
- Address is no longer required
- Signature field has been removed
•TEFAP Household Intake [Chinese] [Korean] [Russian] [Somali] [Spanish] [Ukrainian] [Vietnamese]
•TEFAP Individual Client Intake - Annual [Chinese] [Korean] [Russian] [Somali] [Spanish] [Ukrainian] [Vietnamese]
Agencies with an alternate intake form must incorporate these program changes.
October 16, 2025
TEFAP & CSFP Inventory Workbooks for FFY26 Available
The revised TEFAP Lead Agency Inventory Report and TEFAP Sub Agency Inventory Report are on the TEFAP Forms Webpage. Participating Agencies should use these updated documents unless otherwise instructed by their Lead Agency.
The CSFP Lead Agency Inventory Report has also been revised and is ready for use. No changes were made to the CSFP Sub Agency Inventory Report. Both can be found on the CSFP Forms Webpage.
Also available is the 2025-2026 USDA Foods Price List.
Mission
Food Assistance serves communities and lower-income families by improving access to safe and nutritious foods. We honor our connections with agriculture and strengthen the emergency food system by providing food, funding, logistical support, and outreach to hunger relief organizations and tribes.Vision
We are trusted partners who anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of the food system by focusing on the intersection, viability, and success of hunger relief organizations and agricultural producers. Together, we ensure access to healthy food and sustain vibrant communities for all Washingtonians.Access Food in Washington State
In addition to programs that directly affect Washington's agricultural community, WSDA leads state and federal food assistance programs to ensure that lower-income individuals and families can access food. We serve hungry people by providing food, funding, logistics services and outreach to hunger relief organizations and tribes.
Through active engagement and partnerships, we strengthen the hunger relief system, improve access to nutritious and safe foods, and ensure regulatory compliance while honoring our connections with agriculture. We currently offer state and federally funded programs.
WSDA partners with a network of hunger relief organizations to work toward a common vision of alleviating hunger in Washington. Programs are available across the state to provide food to those who need it. We can help you find our closest partner in your area who will be able to help you determine what programs you're eligible for and to find food banks, pantries, and meal programs near you.
We know that hunger relief providers are working hard to get ample nutritious and high-quality food to their clients, and we have gathered resources ranging from recipes for clients to donor guidance that can support this effort. Read on for various donation guides, information about Good Samaritan Act protections, food conservation and tips, and more.
Review hunger relief program annual reports and county-level fact sheets to learn more about the need for food assistance services across Washington State.
If you work with a hunger relief agency that has an Agreement with WSDA, visit this page to find: forms, program procedures manuals, required postings, civil rights materials, food inventory & ordering information, and other requirements. If you participate in our programs as a Sub Agency, these program resources may also be helpful to you.
Can't find what you need? Don't hesitate to contact a Food Assistance team member for general information, detailed program questions, or for help finding food assistance resources in your area. We are here to help!
We want to hear from you!
- Focus on Food Systems Comment Form: We invite food system stakeholders to share input through our new comment form. Your insights will help WSDA gather information about your food system concerns and priorities. Click here to provide your comments.
Thank you for sharing your insights to help shape our work!