Steve Troxler, NC Commissioner of Agriculture Jan Holt, SE Field Representative North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Food Distribution Division 2016
What is TEFAP? The Emergency Food Assistance Program Implemented in 1981 as the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program. Goal of reducing inventory and storage of surplus food through distribution to low-income households.
Hunger Prevention Act of 1988 As some foods held in surplus were depleted by 1988, the HPA of 1988 authorized funds to be appropriated for the purchase of USDA foods specifically for TEFAP. Foods acquired with appropriated funds are in addition to any surplus foods donated to TEFAP by USDA.
Under the 1990 Farm Bill, TEFAP was formally named
How much does TEFAP cost? In FY 2014, Congress appropriated $376.4 million dollars for TEFAP. $327 million to purchase food $49.40 million for administrative support to states & local agencies
How does TEFAP work? USDA purchases food, including the cost of processing & packaging, and makes it available to State Distribution agencies. NCDA&CS requisitions, receives, stores and distributes, and accounts for all TEFAP foods & administrative funds within the state. The amount of food received is based on the number of persons or households receiving Food & Nutrition (FNS) benefits.
Food is provided to NC TEFAP eligible agencies Food Banks such as the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank of SENC, Manna Food Bank, and other Emergency Food Organizations Soup Kitchen Programs
Food Banks Distribute USDA foods to local pantries Amount received is based on economic need identified in county (Number of persons/households receiving FNS benefits) Information received from NC Dept. of Health & Human Services FBCENC received a total of $5,061,975.11 in USDA foods from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.
TEFAP is a Supplemental Nutrition Program It is designed to supplement the daily food needs for low-income households. It is not intended to be used as a household’s primary food source.
TEFAP Foods Vary depending upon US agricultural market Must be nutritious Have a long shelf life Be in sufficient quantities for nationwide distribution Be provided in package sizes that are suitable for household use
What TEFAP foods are available? Canned, frozen & dried fruit Canned vegetables Fruit/vegetable juice Meat/Poultry/Fish Dried Beans Pasta Products Milk Rice/cereal Soup
USDA Food Facts Sheets Product Description Pack Yield Storage Uses & Tips Nutrition and Food Safety Information www.fns.usda.gov/tefap/tefap-usda-foods
AGREEMENT USDA requires that all TEFAP agencies have a permanent agreement. The agreement is between NCDA&CS and agencies that have had prior approval to receive USDA foods. The FBCENC has a permanent agreement with NCDA&CS. Local food TEFAP pantries have an agreement with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
FBCENC Agreement Defines pantry operating requirements Specifies recordkeeping responsibilities at the pantry level Addresses distribution and monitoring requirements Renewed annually in September
FBCENC Agreement-Recordkeeping All records must be maintained 5 calendar years Participant files are confidential. After 5 years files should be properly disposed to protect confidentiality of participants. Participants do not have to be US citizens. TEFAP recipients “self-declare their eligibility. No form of identification, social security numbers, EBT cards, or proof on income or residency is required.
FBCENC Agreement Requires agencies to turn in TEFAP Monthly reports by the 1 st of each following month. (Late after the 5 th ) Agencies that are missing monthly reports are not permitted to pick up TEFAP foods until reports are current. If a pantry does not file two or more reports, it may be removed from the program. Pantries are required to file a monthly report to the FBCENC even if the agency did not distribute during a given month. (Record zero for the number of households/individuals served)
FBCENC Agreement Pantries that do not request TEFAP food on a consistent basis may be removed from the program.
Qualifying Individuals/Households for TEFAP foods: The Application Process Individuals/Households currently receiving NC Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits OR Individuals/Households whose income meets the Secretary of Agriculture’s income poverty guidelines based upon household size and income.
The Application Process Income eligibility guidelines are approved by Congress annually. To receive TEFAP food, a participant’s income must be at or below the approved income eligibility guidelines. (Applicants who self-declare income) Pantries must use currently approved FBCENC application. Agencies are not authorized to change the FBCENC approved application without the written approval of the FBCENC.
Application Process INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR HOUSEHOLD ELIGIBILITY FOR USDA FOODS Effective October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016 Household Gross Income Must Be Below Level of Appropriate Size Household HOUSEHOLD SIZE PER YEAR PER MONTH PER WEEK 1 $23,544 $1,962 $453 2 $31,872 $2,656 $613 3 $40,200 $3,350 $773 4 $48,504 $4,042 $933 5 $56,832 $4,736 $1,093 6 $65,160 $5,430 $1,253 7 $73,464 $6,122 $1,413 8 $81,792 $6,816 $1,573 EACH ADDITIONAL $8,328 $160 $694 FAMILY MEMBER
The Application Process Agencies are not permitted to impose any additional qualifications or condition of any kind that would preclude an otherwise eligible person from receiving TEFAP food. This includes asking a participant to show identification or proof of income. Agencies that do not follow procedures outlined in signed agreement are at risk for removal from program!
The Application Process It is the participants’ responsibility to provide accurate information on the TEFAP application. Their signature on the TEFAP application indicates an understanding of the following statement: “I understand that any misrepresentation of need, sale, or misuse of the foods I have received is prohibited and could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both. (Section 211E, PL 96-494, and Section 4C, PL 93-86 as amended)
The Application Process TEFAP pantries may supplement TEFAP distributions with privately donated food as long as participants are not asked for ID or any additional information other than what is required on the TEFAP application.
The Application Process QUESTION???????? Sandy Road Food Pantry distributes TEFAP, privately donated food and offers financial assistance to those in need in Aiken County. The pantry’s Board of Directors requires that participants show identification and provide personal information in order to receive additional privately donated foods and/or financial assistance. Is the pantry’s application process in compliance with TEFAP regulations?
The Application Process If Sandy Road Food Pantry requires that participants show identification & complete a TEFAP application and an additional Sandy Road Pantry application at the same time, the agency is NOT in compliance.
The Application Process Remember that participants self-declare their eligibility for TEFAP food. Agencies are not permitted to ask for identification or any other information other than what is required to make an eligibility determination on the TEFAP application.
The Application Process The agency may ask for identification or other personal information for the distribution of privately donated food or for financial assistance , but not as one application process when TEFAP food is being distributed. **Keep the TEFAP application process separate from other pantry application requirements.
The Application Process Keeping the application process separate: Accept TEFAP applications and distribute TEFAP food on a different day from when privately donated foods are being distributed OR Allow participants to self-declare their eligibility for TEFAP food. Once TEFAP eligibility has been determined, participants who desire additional pantry services may be directed to another location to complete any other information required by pantry to receive privately donated food or services.
The Application Process Can two different applicants that reside at the same street address receive TEFAP foods as separate households? YES, if the two households are living as separate economic units.
The Application Process Even though some individuals purchase and prepare meals separately, they should be considered one household: 1. Spouses living together or individuals representing themselves as husband and wife to the community. 2. Individuals under 22 living with a parent. 3. Individuals under 18 under parental control or adult living in the home; 4. Two unmarried adults living in the same home who are the parents of a mutual child.
The Application Process If an individual/household is refused TEFAP foods, the agency must document why the client was refused. Keep this information on file at your agency for 5 years.
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