Procurement and Storage Strategies for Kosher Observant TEFAP Participants Webinar - Recording Available

On August 10th, FNS hosted a webinar to provide program stakeholders with additional information on supporting kosher observant communities through TEFAP. The webinar featured multiple guest speakers who presented valuable information to help program operators better serve kosher observant communities. Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) program staff provided an overview of the recent Request for Information (RFI) on the availability of kosher and halal certified foods. The results from this RFI will help to identify additional vendors and/or kosher certified foods that can be distributed through TEFAP. The webinar also featured three speakers from Agudath Israel of America and the Chicago Rabbinical Council, who spoke about kosher dietary laws and best practices for storing and displaying kosher foods in food pantries. Participants were shown visualizations of pantry setups clearly identifying kosher and non-kosher food items, and how to handle the storage of temperature sensitive kosher foods in these settings. The Chicago Rabbinical Council provided a thorough overview of kosher dietary laws. Participants learned what makes certain foods kosher or not kosher, how certification works, and how program participants who observe kosher laws may utilize TEFAP foods. Webinar participants were able to ask the presenters questions at the end of the webinar, and left feeling empowered to better serve their kosher participants.

If you missed this informative webinar, you can view the recording by clicking the button below.

Updates to the TEFAP Foods Available List

The TEFAP Foods Available List was updated to reflect new foods that are now available. In addition to increasing fruit and grain options, FNS expanded the variety of protein foods offered in TEFAP, including increased varieties of fish products. The new foods added to the TEFAP Foods Available List are listed below:

Fruits

• 111680 – Strawberries, Whole, Unsweetened, Frozen (IQF) – 12/1 lb. bag

Protein Foods

• 100907 – Almonds, Natural, Whole, Shelled – 12/2 lb. package
• 111292 – Atlantic Haddock, Fillet, Frozen - 20/2 lb. bag
• 111293 – Atlantic Ocean Perch, Fillet, Frozen - 20/2 lb. bag
• 111291 – Atlantic Pollock, Fillet, Frozen – 20/2 lb. bag
• 111572 – Chicken, Boneless Breast, Frozen – 10/3 lb. bag
• 111579 – Chicken, Drumsticks, Frozen – 8/5 lb. bag
• 100908 – Walnut, Pieces – 24/1 lb. package

Grains

• 100471 – Cornmeal, Yellow – 8/5 lb. bag

Check out USDA Foods Product Information Sheets to learn more about these new foods today!

Updates to the CSFP Foods Available List

The CSFP Foods Available List was updated to reflect a few changes to the list of foods available in CSFP.

• Cherry Apple Juice, 100%, Unsweetened, was added to the Foods Available List as another juice option. This product comes in a 64 oz bottle and can be distributed as part of the Fruit and Juice category.
• Due to the change in how cereal is procured, all cereal varieties on the CSFP Foods Available List were replaced with a single entry. Ready-to-eat cereal varieties will be determined based on availability. Check WBSCM for the latest material codes.
• At this time, there are no vendors that can supply domestic canned tuna to USDA. Since all USDA Foods must be 100% American-grown and produced, canned tuna is not currently available for CSFP.

New Nut Options in TEFAP!

Almonds and walnuts are now available through TEFAP, expanding the number of nut options offered on the TEFAP Foods Available List. Nuts are a nutrient-dense protein food that should be included as a part of a healthy dietary pattern. Learn more about each new variety below:

Almonds – 100907

Almonds supply many important nutrients such as protein, fiber, unsaturated fats, magnesium, vitamin E, and calcium. Their mild buttery flavor and crunch can be combined with dried fruit for a healthy snack or included in sweet and savory dishes for a protein-packed addition. The almonds available through TEFAP are whole natural unsalted almonds. Check out our Almond Product Information Sheet for more uses, tips, and recipes.

Walnuts - 100908

Walnuts offer an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. Their sweet, mild taste is a great addition to baked goods or salads and can even be used as a plant-based meat substitute in entrees, such as tacos and meatless meatballs. The walnuts available through TEFAP are unsalted walnut pieces. Keep them fresh by storing in the refrigerator or freezer. Check out our Walnut Product Information Sheet for more uses, tips, and recipes.  

Proposed Rule: Food Distribution Programs - Improving Access and Parity

We are excited to announce that FNS has proposed revisions to its regulations to improve access and parity within several food distribution programs, including CSFP, TEFAP, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and USDA Foods in disaster response.  

The main goals of this proposed rule are to: 

• Increase access to the USDA Foods programs. 
• Increase parity between FDPIR and SNAP. 
• Modernize program operations and policies. 
• Incorporate lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Links to the proposed rule and informative webinars on each aspect of the proposed rule can be found here.

We encourage all stakeholders to participate in the public comment period that will remain open through October 13, 2023. Comments can be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Click here and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. For more information on submitting comments, please see Tips for Submitting Effective Comments (please note this is a Federal Register resource and not a USDA resource). 

CSFP 2024 Additional Caseload Requests

On July 25, 2023, FNS released the CSFP Submission of Additional Caseload Requests and State Plans for 2024 with information on the requirements for additional CSFP caseload requests for States and ITOs wishing to increase their assigned caseload in 2024.  State agencies and ITOs requesting additional caseload for the 2024 caseload cycle (January 1 through December 31) must submit their State Plan amendments to FNS Regional Offices by  November 5, 2023, in accordance with program regulations at 7 CFR 247.21.  If State agencies or ITOs have questions regarding increasing CSFP caseload for 2024, please contact your Regional Office.

Policy Memo FD-153: Guidance for Submitting Amendments to TEFAP State Plans per 7 CFR 251.6

On July 5, 2023, FNS issued a memorandum that guides TEFAP State agencies on the process for submitting and receiving approval for any requested changes to program operations or administrative processes outlined in TEFAP State plans. TEFAP State agencies must have an approved State plan to operate TEFAP and must submit proposed amendments to their State plan to FNS for approval.

TEFAP State agencies were provided with a template (Attachment A) and the memorandum to help with submit amendments to their TEFAP State plan.

FY 2024 TEFAP Farm to Food Bank Projects

On September 7, 2023, FNS issued a memorandum for TEFAP State agencies titled: TEFAP - State Plan Requests and Allocations for Fiscal Year 2024 Farm to Food Bank Projects. This memorandum requests State plan amendments for FY 2024 Farm to Food Bank Projects and outlines initial funding allocations for each State agency. 

The purpose of Farm to Food Bank Projects is to:

• Reduce food waste at the agricultural production, processing, or distribution level through the donation of food.
• Provide food to individuals in need.
• Build relationships between agricultural producers, processors, and distributors and emergency food organizations (EFOs) through the donation of food.

Funding for Farm to Food Bank Projects beyond FY 2023 is subject to Congressional action. FNS will collect State plan amendments for FY 2024. If funding is appropriated for FY 2024, all State agencies that have submitted a plan will be considered for this funding.

For FY 2023, 28 TEFAP State agencies were allocated $3,772,000 for their Farm to Food Bank Projects. A description of each State’s FY 2023 Farm to Food Bank Project can be found here.

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