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Food Assistance Programs and Services

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.

 
Looking for information on local food pantries and other services? Click here.

EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EFAP)

State funded program to support Washington residents in need of food, including those experiencing homelessness. Established in Washington in 1986, EFAP provides funding to local food banks and food pantries to support food purchases, operational expenses, training, equipment, and repairs. EFAP supports the distribution of over 265 million pounds of food for Washingtonians struggling to put food on the table. Participating EFAP hunger relief providers met the need of over 16.1 million visits last year.

EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EFAP)-TRIBAL

State funded program to support Washington tribal communities and residents experiencing hunger. EFAP-Tribal provides funding to tribal food pantry and food voucher programs, to support the purchase of food, food vouchers, operational expenses, training, equipment, and repairs. Established in Washington in 1986, EFAP-Tribal provides funding to 35 tribes and tribal organizations to support the hunger relief work done by tribes in communities throughout the state.

FARM TO FOOD PANTRY (F2FP)

State funded Initiative to fund long-term relationships between emergency food organizations and small-scale farmers for the sale and distribution of fresh produce to the community. Established in Washington in 2014, in partnership with Harvest Against Hunger. In 2026, F2FP had 282 participating farms.

THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP)

Federally funded (USDA) program providing food and limited operational funding to emergency food providers and meal programs, to supplement diets of lower-income Washingtonians and those experiencing homelessness. Established in Washington in 1981 and serves about 1 million people each month (12 million visits). In accordance with USDA policy, USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

FARM TO FOOD BANK (FTFB)

Federally funded (USDA) grant program helping to reduce food waste by supporting harvesting, packing, processing, and/or distributing of donated foods from farmers and growers to hunger relief organizations. FTFB was initally funded in Washington from May 2020 through January 2025. The next round of funding began in July of 2026 and will run through 2031. In accordance with USDA policy, USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM (CSFP)

Federally funded (USDA) program providing nutritious, shelf-stable food packages to low-income people aged 60 and over (limited availability). Established in Washington in 2001, CSFP serves approximately 5,400 seniors each month. In accordance with USDA policy, USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA)

A federal (USDA) program that began as a pilot in 2022 with the purpose of improving supply chain resiliency by supporting local (Washington) producers through food purchasing for hunger relief outlets. Over the course of three years, LFPA led to over $11 million of investment in local agriculture and hunger relief work in WA. The program came to an end as of December 31, 2025. In accordance with USDA policy, USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

Food Rescue Grant Program (FRGP)

FRGP is a state-funded food assistance program that began in State Fiscal Year 2026. Its purpose is to procure Washington-grown produce, proteins, grains, and dairy that are at risk of becoming food waste and distribute them to hunger relief organizations (HROs). It supports farmers, HROs, and people experiencing food insecurity, while also mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through the reduction of food waste.

Resiliency Grants (RG)

The Resiliency Grants program is funded through the Washington State Legislature to build resiliency in the hunger relief system and is in response to the long-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of RG is to support eligible hunger relief organizations across Washington, including tribes and tribal organizations, to receive grants that reimburse for the purchase of food as well as the operations related to hunger relief efforts. RG is unique in that it’s flexible in nature and is advised by the Resiliency Grants and Initiatives Committee which is comprised of representatives from all regions in the state, including some tribes.
Contact a Food Assistance team member with any questions