Congress is currently considering funding levels for critical federal food assistance programs that help food banks provide nutritious food to seniors, families, veterans, and rural communities: 

• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), provides nutritious USDA foods to those who need a little extra help to make ends meet and helps ensure three nutritious meals a day for themselves or their family.

• The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), provides monthly food packages to low-income seniors. The San Diego Food Bank serves approximately 15,500 seniors through this program each month.

• A new piece of legislation, Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act, would invest $400 million in locally produced agricultural products distributed through food banks, supporting both struggling families and American farmers.

We urge Congress to:

• Fully fund the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) at $460 million.

• Protect and strengthen The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to help food banks meet growing demand and rising food costs.

• Authorize and appropriate $400 million for the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act, connecting local farmers with food banks while increasing access to fresh, nutritious food.

Why It Matters

Need continues to rise. Recent data shows that 84% of our nonprofit partners requested 27% more food in May than the previous month to meet the increased community demand.

The San Diego Food Bank serves approximately 15,500 seniors through CSFP each month. During last year's federal funding uncertainty, the San Diego Food Bank experienced a 40% increase in senior enrollments within just the first three days of November compared to the entire previous month.

These federal investments help ensure seniors, children, working families, veterans, and rural residents have access to the nutritious food they need while supporting American agriculture and local food systems.

Take Action

Tell Congress to protect food assistance programs and strengthen the charitable food network for communities across the country.